§ 18. Mr. Flanneryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Council of Ministers is taking to support the Contadora peace process in Central America.
§ Mr. EggarThe agreement reached at Luxembourg on 11 and 12 November 1985 provides a practical demonstration of the Twelve's consistent support for the Contadora process for closer political and economic links with the Central American states. The European Community also agreed to increase substantially its aid to Central America to encourage regional co-operation.
§ Mr. FlanneryIs it not a fact that in our urgency to placate the United States of America in practically everything, including selling Britain to it, the Contadora peace struggle is being ruined by the United States? Is it not the case that the President tries to get troops to assault a Government who have struggled to break free of United States influence in the interests of democracy, yet pretends that he is advancing the cause of democracy? When will the Government stand up to the United States of America and advise her that it is for her own good openly to support democracy and stop supporting every dictatorship in Latin America?
§ Mr. EggarWe have repeatedly said that we have our own policy. We support the comprehensive and verifiable Contadora agreement, which is based upon the 21 Contadora objectives, which include peace, stability, democracy and development. The United States has repeatedly said that it supports the Contadora peace process. It is well aware of our views.