Democratic Elections (Hansard, 14 July 1993)

§ 5. Mr. David Evans
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to how many countries he has made representations in the last six months urging them to hold democratic elections.

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Mark Lennox-Boyd)
We have made such representations to 12 countries in the past six months.

§ Mr. Evans
I thank the Minister for his reply. Does he agree that, in the middle east, the only true democracy is Israel? In view of that, and if he believes in democracy, will he tell me why the Government discriminate against Israel, in both trade and aid? We know that the shambles opposite do not know anything about democracy, dominated as they are by the unions—no say no pay, and all that nonsense—but we do. In view of that, does not he think that the Government should give their undivided support to the Government of Israel?

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
I agree with my hon. Friend that Israel is a democracy, although I hope that it will resolve the problems of the occupied territories in the context of the current peace process. It is not true that we discriminate against Israel. Only last week at the Tokyo summit there was a call for removal of the Arab boycott.

§ Mr. Grocott
Does the Minister agree that the violation by the Nigerian military authorities of the democratic process in Nigeria last month was tragic not only for the people of Nigeria, but in the precedent that it set—an all-too-frequent precedent—for those around the world who accept the democratic process only when it gives them the results that they want? Will the Minister confirm that that violation of the democratic process in Nigeria has resulted in bloodshed and a further infringement of civil and human rights? Will he further confirm to the House and to the Nigerian authorities that there can be no normalisation of relations with Nigeria—rather, relations will inevitably deteriorate—until the regime there understands that the only legitimate source of political authority is not the army but the will of the people?

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, we have taken a strong line and we have deplored the decision of the Nigerian Government not to respect the elections and to seek another way forward. We have made it absolutely clear that we will not normalise relations until a proper democratic civilian regime is in place in Nigeria.

§ Mr. Devlin
Will my hon. Friend be making representations to the Chinese Government about the present situation in Tibet, where no democratic elections have been held since the invasion in 1948 and where recently large-scale riots in the streets have been savagely put down by the Chinese occupation forces?

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised that matter with the Chinese Government in Peking last week and made our position clear.

§ Ms Eagle
Is the Minister aware of the increasingly dangerous situation in Cambodia following its elections, particularly the gains of influence and territory being made by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge? Is it not disgraceful that the western powers have included that appalling 971 organisation in the so-called peace effort and allowed it to make gains which bring the probability of another year zero even closer?

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
We are actively encouraging the Cambodian authorities to complete the new constitution and form a Government who respect the wishes of the Cambodian people as expressed in that election.

§ Mr. Colvin
I am sure that one of the countries to which Her Majesty's Government will have made representations is the Republic of South Africa. Have the Government expressed any preference for the sort of democratic structure that they would like to see in place in that country when the reforms—which are long overdue, and welcome—are in place? Will he acknowledge that a federal or perhaps a confederal system in South Africa is more likely not only to protect the democratic rights of minority groups but to assist that country to the economic recovery without which the people's economic aspirations are not likely to be met after the elections are held?

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
We welcome the South African Government's decision to hold elections on 27 April next year, but the constitutional arrangements for those elections are a matter for the South African people in their current discussions. We continue to give strong support for negotiations to end the current violence.