§ 9. Mr. Corbynasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had regarding proposals for a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Central America; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarWe regularly discuss the situation in Central America. We continue to make clear to all parties our support for a peaceful settlement on the basis of the Contadora objectives.
§ Mr. CorbynWould not the Minister's stated objective of supporting the peace process in Central America be all the more believable if he were prepared to investigate the activities of KMS in the United Kingdom in recruiting mercenaries to fight against the democratically elected Government of Nicaragua? Does he agree that it is necessary for there to be a full investigation into the agreement by which Short Brothers attempted to sell Blowpipe missiles to the Contras through the medium of the Chilean Government, and that if he is to play any constructive role in the peace process in Central America he must stop any arms going from this country to the Contras?
§ Mr. EggarKMS is a private company registered in Jersey. We are aware of the reference to it in the Tower commission report, but we have seen no other evidence of its involvement. As for Short Brothers' involvement, I answered the hon. Gentleman's points at some length in the early hours of the morning before the House adjourned for the Easter recess.
§ Mr. FoulkesI do not accept the Minister's denials of the British connection, and we shall return to the matter when the Congressional investigators come to Britain. However, given the impending visit of President Arias of Costa Rica to Britain, will the Minister make a valiant attempt to be constructive on the issue of Central America and say whether the Government accept the President's proposals as the basis for a peaceful solution in Central America, instead of supporting the warmongering of President Reagan?
§ Mr. EggarThe Central American states have made a clear sign that the Costa Rican peace plan is for implementation in the Contadora context. We welcome the decision of the five Central American presidents to hold a summit meeting further to discuss that initiative. It is for the countries of the region to decide how that proposal should be carried forward, but we hope that early and substantive progress towards strengthening democracy and restoring stability can be made.