§ 11. Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries, having invaded and occupied other nations' territory, are currently in breach of United Nations resolutions that have been supported by Her Majesty's Government.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Malcolm Rifkind)Leaving aside Argentina's failure to comply with Security Council resolution 502, there are no mandatory resolutions regarding invasion and occupation of which United Nations members are in breach.
§ Mr. AdleyCan my hon. Friend confirm that the Government voted at the United Nations against the invasion and occupation by the Soviet Union of Afghanistan, by Vietnam of Cambodia and by Israel of the Lebanon and the West Bank? Will he confirm that that remains the Government's position and that foreign policy will be structured to take account of those circumstances?
§ Mr. RifkindMy hon. Friend is correct. The United Kingdom Government did act in that way. They were not mandatory resolutions and therefore the countries concerned are not technically in breach of them. The Government's policy remains as my hon. Friend stated it.
§ Mr. FoulkesDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that Morocco illegally occupied the north-western part of the Western Sahara against the stated wishes of the United Nations? Will the Government consider taking a positive 282 initiative to encourage mediation between Morocco and the Western Sahara so that the dispute can be settled peacefully?
§ Mr. RifkindThe Government hope that Morocco and her neighbours will resolve that problem amicably. A United Kingdom initiative is not intended at this stage.
§ Mr. SquireWill my hon. Friend note that this month marks the eighth anniversary of the invasion of Cyprus by Turkish forces? Will he confirm that it remains the Government's urgent intention that Cyprus be reunited as one people and that all military forces be removed?
§ Mr. RifkindThat would be an ideal solution if it could be achieved in a way that was acceptable to the people of Cyprus. In reality, however, one must accept the serious problems involved in trying to achieve that outcome.
§ Mr. George RobertsonIn view of the importance of Security Council resolution 502 to Britain's case in the Falkland Islands, what steps are the Government taking to increase the authority of the United Nations so that similar ventures might be prevented by peaceful means rather than by recourse to the self-defence provision of the United Nations charter?
§ Mr. RifkindIt is highly desirable for countries to observe mandatory United Nations resoulutions. Unfortunately, we must accept that Argentina refused to do so. That is why the United Kingdom had no alternative but to take the action that she did.