§ 8. Mr. RiddickTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has played a direct or indirect role in recent negotiations to secure a peaceful settlement in Angola; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThough not a direct participant in the negotiations on the withdrawal of foreign troops from Angola and independence for Namibia, we have given them our full support. In particular, we have urged both sides to show flexibility and a sense of urgency.
§ Mr. RiddickI am sure that my right hon. Friend will join me in welcoming the positive moves that have been made in the Angolan peace talks. Does she agree that, for a lasting peace to be brought to that troubled country, all 55,000 Cuban troops, along with the South African troops, must be withdrawn urgently from Angola? Does she believe that the British Government should advocate that UNITA should be recognised as having a full and legitimate role to play in the future development of Angola?
§ Mrs. ChalkerI think that we must be careful to separate those two issues slightly. We have done all that we can to assist in the quadripartite talks by our discussions with other leaders of African countries who have more direct influence than we could possibly be expected to have. Of course we hope that there will soon be an acceptance of the proposals under discussion for full Cuban and South African troop withdrawal.
When it comes to the whole problem of internal reconciliation, however, which we believe to be essential to a regional settlement, we need to see a mediation that will be acceptable to both sides in Angola. We believe that the African states are best placed to bring that about and that 882 process is complementary to the United States-led peace negotiations. We have full diplomatic relations with the Angolan Government and if we are asked to help in bringing about reconciliation, of course we will consider that. We have contacts at official level with UNITA, in addition to our official recognition of the Angolan Government. However, it is extremely important that the Cubans, Angolans and South Africans reach agreement on full troop withdrawal within a reasonable time and that the internal reconciliation is pursued alongside that. The two things cannot be mixed up. Otherwise, I fear that we may not get the solution that we all hope for, which is peace in Angola and independence in Namibia.
§ Mr. Tony BanksHow can we possibly hope to exert any influence over the Cuban presence in Angola after we have expelled the Cuban ambassador from this country, probably on instructions from the United States embassy? Can the Minister tell us what she is now trying to do to restore good relations between the United Kingdom and Cuba?
§ Mrs. ChalkerI am very surprised—but I suppose I should not be—that the hon. Gentleman seeks to raise a question of security and safety that occurred in this country in the context of a very serious matter—the peace that we are seeking in Angola. All I can say to him is that if he is prepared to be a member of a party that would not do exactly the same if guns were toted on London streets, I feel even more strongly that it will never be fit to be in government again.
§ Mr. WilkinsonIs it not the case that South African troops have now actually withdrawn from Angola? If it is not the case, can my right hon. Friend clearly tell the House that? Is it not therefore important that the Cubans now get on with withdrawal at the earliest possible date so that the people of Angola can proceed to self-determination without external interference in their internal affairs?
§ Mrs. ChalkerI believe that the vast majority of South African troops have indeed withdrawn from Angola, but I cannot give my hon. Friend an absolute assurance on that because we are not there to see. All I would say is that I believe that it is right and proper that, as soon as it is possible, all foreign troops should withdraw from that country.