HL Deb 20 June 1985 vol 465 cc362-4

3.5 p.m.

Lord Molloy

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their policy concerning the action of the United States Government in Nicaragua.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)

My Lords, we share with the United States Administration the common objectives of promoting stability, security and peaceful development in Central America. We want to see progress in Nicaragua towards the establishment of a genuine pluralist democracy, the scaling down of armaments and an end to support for subversion of neighbouring states.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that that is a most appalling reply? Does she not realise that it casts the British Foreign Office in the role of sycophantic vassal of the United States of America? What is really happening, as Americans themselves say—they are highly disturbed by it—is that the CIA is beginning to rule part of their Secretaryship of State, and that the overthrow of the Nicaraguan Government by force, by assassination, and by murder will in no way enhance the name of the United States, nor that of my country if it is associated with that policy of the United States against Nicaragua.

Baroness Young

My Lords, I am not prepared to accept any of these extraordinary allegations that have been made by the noble Lord, Lord Molloy. I can confirm to the House that we discuss all important issues with the United States Government at various levels. They are fully aware of our views. Nicaraguan allegations that the United States is about to invade Nicaragua have been formally denied by the United States. Indeed, President Reagan has given a written assurance to a United States Congressman that he is not seeking the military overthrow of the Sandinista Government.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, will the noble Baroness be kind enough to say how the Contadora peace talks are progressing and to which of the Contadora recommendations, which Her Majesty's Government support, she attaches the greatest importance?

Baroness Young

My Lords, we continue with our European Community partners to give full support to the Contadora process. We welcome the progress made at the meeting of the Central American states with the Contadora group in Panama on 11th and 12th April. We hope to see further agreement on outstanding points as soon as possible. The general principles that I gave in answer to the original Question—namely, to see stability and democratic development in Central America—are of course particular points of the Contadora process that we wish to see achieved.

Lord Renton

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that whatever views may be expressed by the noble Lord, Lord Molloy, or any of his noble friends, we on this side of the House support the Government's policy in this matter? Is she aware that it has very wide support in this country? Bearing in mind that what she says about supporting democracy is something that appeals to us very specially, can my noble friend explain a little more fully how it is that we find ourselves having to support the Americans in supporting democracy in Nicaragua?

Baroness Young

My Lords, as I have already indicated, we share with the United States Administration the common objective of a peaceful settlement of the dispute in Central America on the basis of the Contadora principles. We have, at the same time, made plain that we see a need for restraint on all sides in the present situation. However, in particular, we want Nicaragua to end the substantial build-up of arms, troops and foreign military advisers and to stop supporting attempts to destabilise neighbouring democratic governments.

Lord Brockway

My Lords, would the noble Baroness not agree that there is a contradiction in American policy in justifiably protesting against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and in providing arms for the rebellion in Nicaragua?

Baroness Young

No, my Lords, I do not see a contradiction in our view about the situation in Nicaragua and our total condemnation of the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. I have already made plain in a supplementary answer to the noble Lord, Lord Molloy, that so far as the United States is concerned, there is no intention to invade Nicaragua, and President Reagan has given that assurance. In the case of Afghanistan, there has been an invasion of Afghanistan by the Russians and we have completely deplored what is going on in that country.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, can the noble Baroness tell the House who the Foreign Office supports? Is it Mr. Schultz, the American Secretary of State, or Mr. Caspar Weinberger? Mr. Schultz is very apprehensive because of the massive complaints made in Great Britain and NATO countries by the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Church throughout Europe about what is going on in Nicaragua. Although Mr. Caspar Weinberger does not seem to care, Mr. Schultz does seem to care and he has expressed his apprehension. Are our Government on his side or on the side of Mr. Caspar Weinberger? The country has a right to know where it stands.

Baroness Young

My Lords, I thought that I had made the British Govenment's policy towards Nicaragua quite plain to the House.