§ 1. Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications for United Kingdom foreign policy of the current situation in Nicaragua.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Tim Renton)We wish to see the restoration of peace and stability in central America. As my right hon. and learned Friend told the House on 9 November, the situation in Nicaragua calls for the greatest possible restraint on all sides. We wholeheartedly support the Contadora process as the best hope for bringing peace and stability to the region.
§ Mr. MeadowcroftWhy do the British Government, rather like the United States Government, appear to accept that the elections in El Salvador are more legitimate than those in Nicaragua? Do the British Government accept the integrity and sovereignty of Nicaragua? What representations have we made regarding the serious tension that exists between the United States and Nicaragua?
§ Mr. RentonThere was agreement on all sides that the elections in El Salvador were fair. It cannot be said that the same agreement applied in respect of the elections in Nicaragua. Although a number of people felt that the elections were reasonably conducted on election day, it was clear that, in advance of that, there was political discrimination in the form of harrassment at Opposition meetings, unequal time on radio and television and censorship of some material relating to the election campaign. Because of such considerations, four parties withdrew from the election. Against that background, we decided not to send observers.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthIs it not true that the strategic security of this country depends to a significant degree on NATO's capacity to provide reinforcements for Europe passing through the Panama canal, the Caribbean and the 1036 Gulf of Mexico? Does my right hon. Friend agree that the efforts by the United States to foster genuine democracy and to prevent the extension of Marxist subversion and influence in that area are in our interests?
§ Mr. RentonSecurity not only in Nicaragua but in the whole of central America depends strongly on a regional settlement. That is the spirit behind the whole Contadora process. The United States in the United Nations General Assembly has given its specific support to that process, just as we have.
§ Mr. AndersonIs there not a role for us, particularly before Congress meets, in seeking to restrain the increasingly bellicose noises from the United States in respect of Nicaragua?
The Minister mentioned Contadora. Does he not share the anxieties of the Mexican Government and others that the United States, acting directly and through its allies, is seeking to move wrecking amendments to the Contadora treaty and thereby abort the process?
§ Mr. RentonHonduras and others have suggested amendments to the Contadora Act, which are now under consideration. The position of the United States in this matter is reflected in the fact that the United States has constantly stressed that it wishes to achieve political reform by peaceful means. There is a continuing dialogue between the United States special representative, Mr. Shlaudeman, and the Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Tinoco. That shows that the American Government have a direct link with the Sandinista Government. The continuation of those discussions is most important.