HC Deb 09 February 1983 vol 36 cc981-2
2. Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are currently being taken by Her Majesty's Government to improve relations between the Warsaw Pact powers and the countries belonging to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Francis Pym)

We and our allies in NATO have consistently made clear our desire to develop more constructive relations with the member states of the Warsaw Pact. Relations in each case must, however, take account of the actions and policies of the country concerned.

Mr. Winnick

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree, first, that the one thing that should unite East and West is the bringing to justice of Nazi war criminals, such as Barbie? What steps will the Government take, with other Governments, to bring notorious Nazi mass murderers such as Josef Mengele to justice? On the wider question, would it not be useful to explore seriously initiatives by the Soviet Union and not dismiss them out of hand, and to recognise the burning desire of the people of Europe to have a lasting and durable peace?

Mr. Pym

On the hon. Member's first point, I am sure that the House would wish to see justice done in all such cases of war criminals.

The answer to the hon. Gentleman's second question is, yes, serious proposals will be given the most careful and thorough examination. As a general rule, a good deal of propaganda is contained within proposals that emanate from the Kremlin. There are also often signs of suggestions of movements that might be welcome. That part of its responses must, and will, be carefully examined.

Mr. Whitney

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the development that is most likely to improve relations between the Warsaw Pact countries and NATO would be for the Soviet leader, Mr. Andropov, to accept, rather than reject out of hand, as he has done, President Reagan is invitation to a summit meeting?

Mr. Pym

The issue of a summit meeting between Mr. Andropov and President Reagan is essentially a matter for them. They must judge when the time is right. I hope that Mr. Andropov and the Russian leaders will change their minds about the zero-zero proposal that is on the table and find it in their hearts to accept it.

Mr. George Robertson

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept that the Madrid conference is one forum in which East and West can be brought together? Is it not therefore to be regretted that the Government appear to be backing the deadlock that is occurring in Madrid today? Will the Government consider in some way abandoning the almost grovelling adherence to the American hard line at Madrid, to get some movement forward? Surely the future of Europe and its people is more important than a pig-headed approach at any one summit meeting?

Mr. Pym

The well-being and prosperity of the European peoples are uppermost in our minds. Our objective at the Madrid conference is to reach agreement on a substantial and balanced concluding document covering all the areas of the Helsinki Final Act. Different countries have different views about that, but that is our objective. We need a clear demonstration of Soviet willingness to live up to all the provisions of the Helsinki Final Act, including human rights, and to build on them. That is what we are trying to do.