Argentina (Hansard, 25 July 1984)

§ 7. Mr. Yeo
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the United Kingdom's relations with Argentina.

§ Mr. Whitney
As my right hon. and learned Friend told the House on 20 July, we regret that the Argentine Government brought the talks in Berne last week to a premature end. We shall obviously need to assess the implications of the Argentine attitude, which caused the breakdown. We continue to take the view that it is in the interests of all concerned to seek the restoration of more normal relations between Britain and Argentina and will stand firmly by our commitments to the Falkland Islanders.

§ Mr. Yeo
As the strained relations between ourselves and Argentina are leading not only to the imposition of a severe financial burden on this country but are in danger of distorting our whole defence strategy, may we have an assurance that the Government will make every possible effort to bring about a resumption of discussions with Argentina, notwithstanding the fact that the Argentines were responsible for the breakdown of last week's talks?

§ Mr. Whitney
I am glad that my hon. Friend recognises where the fault lay for the breakdown of the talks. We shall certainly seek the normalisation of relations with Argentina, as I said in my main reply, but we must also retain our commitment to the Falkland Islanders and proceed with the economic development of the Falklands.

§ Mr. Dalyell
Should we not be deeply concerned about the authoritative reports coming out of Washington, from Dr. Robert Scheinn and others, that a formidable rearmament programme is going in Argentina? What are we to make of the battalion amphibious exercises at night? What we are to make of the Syhawks that are being armed with more Exocets? [Interruption.] Formidable rearmament is going on. What is the Government's assessment of that? As they will not give an assessment in answer to written questions, will the Minister give an undertaking to make a statement on the matter?

§ Mr. Whitney
Our views on the continued sale of arms to the Argentine Government are well known. We keep the matter well under survey and we are satisfied that all our allies who are potential arms suppliers are well appreciative of our concerns—concerns which the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) also expresses.

§ Mr. Dalyell
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.