§ 22. Ms EagleTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans Her Majesty's Government have to support and assist the independent republics of the CIS to ensure a smooth transition to democracy.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe fully support the development of democratic and economic reforms in all the countries of the former Soviet Union. We contribute to this process through our bilateral aid programmes, such as the know-how fund, and play a substantial part in multilateral efforts. We are doing all that we can to foster contacl.s and exchanges with the newly independent states through international forums to support democratic processes.
§ Ms EagleFollowing the demise of the Soviet Union, there is great instability in the former Soviet states that are now independent within the Commonwealth of Independent States. One of the problems is that Ukraine 828 and Kazakhstan have access to nuclear weapons. What is the Government's opinion on trying to force these states to sign strategic arms reduction talks in exchange for aid so that we can help them on the path to democracy and alleviate their poverty?
§ Mr. HoggThe hon. Lady is right with her general point that there is instability. We look to the conference on security and co-operation in Europe as the instrument most likely to provide the solution of regional and ethnic problems in the former Soviet Union.
As for nuclear-weapon states, our real concern is focused on Ukraine. That is because the tension between Ukraine and Russia is increasing. The view is expressed in the Ukrainian Parliament that Ukraine should not relinquish its nuclear weapons while there is the tension to which I have referred. We regard that as a disastrous mistake. We shall do all that we can, both by way of negative security assurances and by persuasion, and to some extent by assistance, to persuade the Ukrainians to sign the non-proliferation treaty as a non-nuclear state.