§ 19. Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the situation in Cyprus.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe United Nations Secretary-General's special representative on Cyprus, Mr. Joe Clark, held talks in Cyprus last week. He was attempting to secure agreement on the implementation of a package of confidence-building measures which we actively support. President Clerides agreed to the UN implementation plan some time ago, but Mr. Denktash continues to have objections to it. The Secretary-General will shortly submit a report on the talks to the Security Council.
§ Mrs. RocheDoes the Minister agree that it is about time that the British Government took a very tough stance indeed with the illegal regime of Mr. Denktash, who is clearly blocking any possibility of settlement in relation to Cyprus? Would it not help if the British Government would more actively back Cyprus's application for membership of the European Union?
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryWe have been playing an active role in trying to get the confidence-building measures accepted by both sides. That cannot be done by force. It has to be done by persuasion and diplomatic effort. We regret that Mr. Denktash has, at least for the present, refused to take forward the measures. The Security Council will be considering what future measures to take in due course.
§ Sir Jim SpicerWill my hon. Friend at the same time remind Opposition Members that, had it not been for the duplicity, stupidity and—
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyIncompetence.
§ Sir Jim Spicer—incompetence, thank you—of the Labour Government in 1974, we would not be in the situation that we are now in?
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryI understand the emotions that lie beneath my hon. Friend's question, but we must try to live less in the past and look more to the future. That is why we are doing all that we can to bring about a reconciliation between the two parts of that divided island.
Mr. John D. TaylorDoes the Minister agree that originally both the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots accepted in principle the confidence-building measures proposed by the United Nations, and that the collapse of the talks last week was a result of a new map being submitted by the United Nations at the request of the Greek Cypriots which contradicted the original one presented on the table?
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThere have been some changes in the original confidence-building measures plan, but they would still have benefited both communities. I think it is clear to impartial observers that it is Mr. Denktash who has not shown the political will on this occasion.