HL Deb 18 March 1981 vol 418 cc755-7
Lord Brockway

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will raise in the Security Council of the United Nations the danger to peace in Southern Africa arising from military raids by the Republic of South Africa into the territory of Mozambique and from the appeal by the Government of Mozambique to the Soviet Union to implement the treaty of defence against external attack.

The Earl of Avon

No, my Lords. This is primarily a matter for the Governments directly concerned. But we have condemned the recent violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity of South Africa's neighbour states, which only exacerbate tension in Southern Africa. The Government believe that violence, no matter where or by whom, runs counter to the search for peaceful solutions to the problems of the region.

Lord Brockway

My Lords, may I ask the Minister whether there is not a danger of a deepening confrontation between African countries and the Republic by the extension of these actions from Namibia to Mozambique right across Africa? Is there not a danger that this will drift into a war between African states and the Republic, and even a physical revolution in South Africa, supported by arms from the Soviet Union? In this situation, could not the Security Council call together the parties involved with a view to reaching a settlement without war?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, we have made clear our view that the violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of states bordering South Africa would exacerbate the tensions in South Africa and run counter to the search for peaceful solutions to the urgent problems of the region. The last supplementary of the noble Lord I shall certainly bring to the attention of my right honourable and noble friend.

Lord Paget of Northampton

My Lords, does not sovereignty involve not only a right not to be invaded but a duty not to entertain and arm people who are publicly declaring their intention of invading your neighbour? When that happens, whether it be in South Africa or Israel, must not the people who entertain the guerrillas expect defence measures to be taken in their territory?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, I think I made clear that we deplore violence on all sides, and it in no way helps to get anywhere in the present world.

Lord Barnby

My Lords, would it not be right to understand that all these incursions referred to in the Question emanate from provocation from the other side? Is it not right to assume that the economy of Mozambique is largely dependent for its functioning on the rolling stock and the harbour equipment of Maputo provided by the Republic of South Africa? Also do not the earnings of the citizens of the Republic of Mozambique who find work in South Africa, where conditions are more attractive than in their own country, contribute to the possibility of a continuation of the proper functioning of the Mozambique economy? Lastly, is it not right to assume that we are still giving assistance to that Marxist state? If that were desisted in, we should have more to give in other directions.

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, I can but reiterate that the Government believe that violence, no matter where or by whom, runs counter to the search for peaceful solutions. The answer to my noble friend's supplementary is that it must be to the benefit of all countries in that area that a peaceful solution and peace are maintained in that area.

Lord Goronwy-Roberts

My Lords, would the Minister agree that a more rapid advance to the total abolition of apartheid in the South African Republic would do more than anything else to maintain and foster the stability of peace in Southern and Central Africa? Secondly, while the situation in Mozambique may not yet warrant an initiative in the Security Council, can the Minister give an undertaking that in the meantime we and our partners in Europe, and indeed our friends in the Organisation of African Unity, will continue to urge restraint on all the countries involved in this very dangerous situation?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for his remarks. Yes, of course the Government recognise that the current reforms in South Africa are insufficient with regard to apartheid, but they believe that they represent steps in the right direction and should be encouraged. I am sure that the noble Lord will have seen the European political co-operation statement issued on 12th February by the European countries, which I think was very prompt and which shows that the ten member states of the European Community do express their concern about these matters.

Lord Brockway

My Lords, is it enough in this dangerous situation for the Government merely to call attention to it? Following the question by my noble friend Lord Goronwy-Roberts, is the noble Earl aware that yesterday President Siaka Stevens of Sierra Leone, the chairman of the Organisation of African Unity, began a tour of all African countries to get common action on these matters? Should not immediate contact be made with them in order to secure united action to end the obstruction by South Africa of Namibian independence, and to accelerate the end of apartheid in South Africa itself?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, in answer to the first of the noble Lord's supplementaries, this is primarily a matter for the Governments directly concerned.

To come to his latter point, he will of course recall that the United Nations have a plan in this area which is still on the table and towards which countries are working. No doubt the present tour that he has mentioned will lead to further consideration.

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