HC Deb 18 February 1981 vol 999 cc259-61
3. Mr. Michael Morris

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will ensure that the five Western nations play a more active role in bringing South-West Africa, Namibia, to independence.

Mr. Luce

Following the pre-implementation meeting in Geneva last month, there is a need for a period of reflection by all the parties. We must not abandon the area of agreement already secured. Among other things, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will discuss Namibia with the United States Administration in Washington next week.

Mr. Morris

Is it not time that the Five showed more clearly that they are concerned about the future of the majority of citizens of Namibia and a little less concerned about the minority of SWAPO? To that end, will he and his colleagues do their best to ensure that no action is taken by any of the parties at the Geneva conference that will pre-empt a negotiated settlement in the area?

Mr. Luce

On the last point, I endorse the views expressed by my hon. Friend that any action taken by any of the parties to the dispute that hinders or makes a negotiated settlement more difficult will be most destructive and unhelpful.

On the first point, I do not think that my hon. Friend is being fair to the work of the group of Five, which has been committed all along to the holding of free and fair elections in which all the parties can play an equal part.

Mr. Healey

Does the Minister agree that the deep penetration by South African forces into the territory of Angola and Mozambique is not conducive to prospects for a peaceful settlement? Will he confirm the report by the diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph that recently the Foreign Secretary, in discussions with Mr. Chissano—Mozambique's Foreign Minister—said that he did not exclude the possibility that, in certain circumstances, Britain might support sanctions against South Africa?

Mr. Luce

Violence instigated from whatever source is not conducive to a settlement. I have already made that point. Our views on sanctions are already known and have been repeatedly made over many months, namely, that in general, we do not believe that sanctions will produce the result that we all wish to see—a peaceful settlement in Namibia.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

Does my hon. Friend agree that the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance came out of the Geneva conference with a greatly enhanced image of being genuinely concerned about the democratic evolution of the country? Will he agree further that, instead of the United Nations supervising free and fair elections in Namibia, it may be sensible for a number of other members of the United Nations separately to supervise and monitor free and fair elections in Namibia—for example, the United States, Kenya, Angola itself, the United Kingdom and Canada?

Mr. Luce

If the British Government and the Five are to maintain the posture that all the parties should be treated equally, it would not be right for me to comment on the behaviour or standing of any party in Geneva. On the second point, we have continued fully to support the principles behind the United Nations plan that there must be an end to bloodshed, there must be free and fair elections and a settlement that is recognised internationally. As I said earlier, there must be a pause for reflection now that the new United States Administration has been established. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will be having discussions with the Reagan Administration next week. I am sure that all the parties, including the United States, will be anxious to find ways to move forward.

Mr. Ford

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is unlikely to be much movement by the Five until after the presidential elections in France have been completed? Will he say what representations have been made to Zambia and Angola to secure the release of the SWAPO and CANU dissidents who would like to return to play a full part in the political life of Namibia?

Mr. Luce

The French elections may be a factor, but elections are also taking place elsewhere, including in South Africa at the end of April. That must also be a factor. Regarding the hon. Gentleman's other point, if he gives me the details I shall look into the matter.