§ 2.48 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl the Foreign Secretary the Question of which I have given Private Notice: Whether he can make a further statement on the situation in Laos and the talks with the Soviet Government on the British proposals?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, the military situation on most fronts in Laos is confused. There have lately been reports of fighting on the Southern-Central sector opposite Thakhek. There is insufficient evidence to judge whether this is merely a local action or whether it represents a serious rebel thrust to try to cut Laos in half. The air-lift of arms from Communist countries is continuing.
As the House knows, Her Majesty's Government have always set the highest importance upon obtaining the earliest possible cease-fire. There has already been too much delay. I have therefore instructed Her Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow to discuss with the Russians a definite timetable of action: an immediate request for a cease-fire to be issued to-morrow, April 20; the International Commission to be convened and sent to New Delhi—from there it would proceed to Laos to verify the cease-fire; the 14 Power Conference on Laos to meet on May 5.
I hope very much that the Soviet Government will be able to accept these proposals. Marty of the suggestions in their communication to us of April 16 were quite acceptable, but it was not clear whether they agreed to our request 602 for an immediate cease-fire to precede the International Conference.
I hope my specific proposals will remove any doubt and let us get on with the process of finding a political settlement. I would add that I will be present at the opening of the Conference and when necessary after that, but that I have asked Mr. Malcolm Macdonald to conduct the negotiations on behalf of Her Majesty's Government.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I am much obliged to the Foreign Secretary for the clear statement he has made. May I take it that the three proposals he has mentioned were, in fact, those reported as delivered yesterday by the Ambassador in Moscow? I notice that in these proposals there are two dates mentioned specifically by the Foreign Secretary: the first is April 20, with regard to the question of the cease-fire; and it is suggested that the fourteen-Power Conference should meet on May 5. But no date is mentioned about the International Commission to be convened and sent to New Delhi. Could the Foreign Secretary say anything more about that?
THE EARL OF HOMEYes, my Lords, the noble Viscount is right about the proposals I have sent to Mr. Gromyko, which the Ambassador was instructed to convey yesterday. The proposal is that the International Commission should co to New Delhi simultaneously with the issue of the request for the cease-fire; in other words, to-morrow or the next day, as soon as they can get there. And from there I would hope that they will go straight to Laos to report that the cease-fire is effected.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I am much obliged. I feel that I can say on behalf of the whole House that the steps which the Foreign Secretary has taken in this particular matter get our support, and I hope he will be successful in getting the cease-fire.
§ LORD STRANGMy Lords, like the noble Viscount the Leader of the Opposition, we all hope that the latest steps taken by the Foreign Secretary will be successful as regards Laos. But have not the delaying tactics of the Russians so far proved very disturbing, and does this not suggest that the 603 Russians have been postponing acceptance until their adherents are able to gain victory in the field?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I do not think that anybody could blame anyone if he drew that conclusion. But one of the purposes of my proposals to Mr. Gromyko was to enable him to show that those conclusions are false.