HC Deb 24 July 1991 vol 195 c1143
1. Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to visit Cuba to discuss security in the Caribbean.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Tristan Garel-Jones)

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no plans to do so.

Mr. McAllion

I am sure that the Secretary of State regrets that answer almost as much as I do. Does the Minister of State agree that the only basis for security in the Caribbean is respect for the sovereign independence of all the countries in that area? Will he therefore join me in deploring the US-backed campaign of destabilisation against the Government of Cuba? Will he tell the Americans that their proper role in the Caribbean is not to break international law and undermine legitimate Governments but to show respects for those Governments by entering into constructive dialogues with them on the way forward towards peaceful coexistence?

Mr. Garel-Jones

The United States is not using or threatening to use force against Cuba. In May, President Bush laid down the conditions for improvements in relations in a message to the Cuban community of Miami. He said that Cuba should hold fully free and fair elections under international supervision. I recognise that Fidel Castro and his regime remain a constant attraction to the hon. Gentleman and many of his hon. Friends. After all, he is the last remaining member of what might be called the international Militant Tendency who has not allowed his membership to lapse.

Mr. Forman

Would not one of the best contributions to greater security in the Caribbean—this is a point that my right hon. Friend could easily make were he to visit Cuba—be for the Soviet Union, now that the cold war is over and so-called peaceful coexistence is a thing of the past, to wind down its excessive aid of all kinds to Cuba, which still includes some military assistance?

Mr. Garel-Jones

It will not surprise the House to know that the Soviet Union is reassessing not only its position internally but its relationship with Cuba. Opposition Members should start to do likewise.