HL Deb 18 March 1985 vol 461 cc324-6

2.52 p.m.

Lord Molloy

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider making representations to the United States about arms supplies to Right-wing organisations and governments in South America and in the Middle East.

Baroness Young

My Lords, sales of arms, except to the Warsaw Pact countries and certain other destinations, which are subject to multilaterally agreed control, are a matter for national governments within their obligations under international law. In cases where arms sales by the United States might threaten United Kingdom interests, we naturally make our views known to the United States Government.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, while I thank the noble Baroness for that reply, is she not aware that some extreme Right-wing countries and extreme Right-wing guerrilla organisations have been guilty of the most appalling atrocities wrought upon ordinary people with arms supplied by the American Government? Is she aware that one classic example is Guatemala, where, after the butchering of tens of thousands of Indians with arms supplied by the United States, aid was stopped by President Carter but has now been restarted by the present administration? In so far as this constitutes a very serious threat to Belize which must involve the British Government, should we not continue protestations about this awful behaviour of the American CIA which is damaging their country and many other free nations as well?

Baroness Young

My Lords, the United States Government are well aware of our concern about the possible consequences of military aid to Guatemala, not least for the British garrison in Belize. We continue to keep in close touch with the United States Government about this matter.

Lord Bottomley

My Lords, would not the Minister agree that Israel is the only truly democratic country in the Middle East? Is she aware that Israel is prepared to give technical skill and economic aid to all the countries in the Middle East to make the area really prosperous? Are these not additional reasons for meeting the request of my noble friend Lord Molloy?

Baroness Young

My Lords, on the specific question that the noble Lord, Lord Molloy, has asked, the sale of arms by the United States to any country is of course basically a question for the United States Government.

Lord Avebury

My Lords, will the noble Baroness confirm that our Government have expressed themselves in favour of the Contadora process on several occasions and that one element in that process is that none of the countries in the region of Central America should allow its territory to be used for acts of aggression against a neighbour? If that is so, will the Government not make strong representations to our friends in Washington that they should desist from arming terrorists who are using the countries of Honduras and Costa Rica for their terrorist actions against the people of Nicaragua?

Baroness Young

My Lords, I can confirm that we support the Contadora process, but we share with the United States administration the common objective of a peaceful settlement in Central America; indeed, on Contadora principles. There is a need for restraint on all sides in the present situation. 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 Kennet

My Lords, the Minister of State says that when we think that American arms exports will hurt our interests, we let the United States administration know. She has mentioned Guatemala. Can she tell the House of any other countries where we have made such representations?

Baroness Young

My Lords, we have made our position clear in regard to arms sales to Argentina.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, will the noble Baroness not agree that my original Question simply asked our Government to consider making representations on the evidence that is available to them? Only a few weeks ago, for example, the United States arms control and foreign policy caucus in Congress condemned United States policy and said that those responsible in that sphere were misleading the United States Congress as well as the United States people. Should we not give them our support by making representations? Or can the Government at least consider making representations to the United States on the basis of these reports?

Baroness Young

My Lords, as I have indicated, we have made representations. On the particular point about Guatemala, we most recently expressed our concern about military aid by voting in favour of a resolution adopted at the United Nations General Assembly in December 1984 which called on Governments to refrain from supplying arms or other military assistance to Guatemala so long as serious human rights violations continued.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, I agree with the noble Baroness on what she says about Guatemala. She is absolutely correct. What the American foreign affairs committee complained of was the behaviour of the American CIA under someone's command in El Salvador. Does she not think it is worth making representations about that?

Baroness Young

My Lords, I have indicated the Government's view on these matters. I do not think that there is anything further that I can add.