HL Deb 08 March 1988 vol 494 cc565-6

2.55 p.m.

Lord Greenhill of Harrow asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have taken note of the views on possible developments in Eastern Europe expressed in a recent lecture by Professor Brzezinski (Independent, 4th February), and whether the situation is under departmental review.

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, we share many of the views expressed in Professor Brzezinski's lecture. Professor Brzezinski drew attention to sources of possible instability in the region, and to the effect which it could have on East-West developments. We agree with him that the aim of Western policy should be to encourage evolutionary change. The situation in Eastern Europe is kept under continuous study, both within the Government and jointly with our allies and partners.

Lord Greenhill of Harrow

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply. Does he agree that although there are immediate tasks to be undertaken in NATO and in the EC, more urgent thought should be given to the possibility of radical changes over a much wider area of Europe—indeed, from the Atlantic to the Urals, an area in which we have historical and cultural links?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I can say to the noble Lord that we are paying close attention to developments in Eastern Europe both nationally and with our NATO allies and our European partners. This regular process of consultation includes discussion at ministerial level. I think that our aims should continue to be to develop contacts, encourage reform and better observance of human rights, and point out that repression is inconsistent with glasnost and perestroika. All countries have the ultimate right of self-determination.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, does the Minister agree that Professor Brzezinski's lecture underlined the importance of cultural diplomacy which was recently debated in this House? Will he now tell the House that the Government have agreed to give more support to cultural diplomacy in our embassies abroad and also to the BBC's Overseas Service?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, although the Question of the noble Lord refers to the Brzezinski lecture it goes slightly wide of the immediate subject of that lecture. As I said when I spoke in a recent debate on the subject, the matter of cultural diplomacy should not be seen in isolation from our other forms of diplomacy. They run together, and we shall continue to devote our energies to all forms of diplomacy for the benefit of this country.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, if the Minister has read the Brzezinski lecture in full he will have noted that the BBC's Overseas Service is very relevant to what he was saying.

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I think that I covered the BBC in considerable detail in the earlier debate we had. I should be happy to answer any specific question the noble Lord has about funding for the BBC External Service should he put down a question on that matter.

Lord Chelwood

My Lords, however hard one tries, how is it possible to reconcile the failure of the Soviet Government to abandon the Brezhnev doctrine under which it promises fraternal international assistance to the Socialist countries which were formerly independent in Eastern and Central Europe—there were examples of that in Prague and Budapest—with its international obligations under the United Nations Charter, under the two covenants on the Declaration of Human Rights and for that matter under YALTA and the peace treaties with Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary? Is that possible?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I think that outsiders can only have limited influence on internal developments in the area. I suggest that high level visits can be useful in pressing the case for change. The visit of my right honourable friend the Prime Minister to Poland and that of the Hungarian Prime Minister to London later this year will be opportunities for just that kind of thing.

Lord Oram

My Lords, the article to which the noble Lord, Lord Greenhill, has called attention deals mainly with Europe and the Soviet Union, as have the questions which have been put. Perhaps I may ask whether the Minister will take note of the paragraph which deals with China and the developments there as being even more significant than the developments in Europe? Will he ensure that his department takes due note of Professor Brzezinski's views on Chinese developments?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, we shall of course note all comments. However, the Question referred to Eastern Europe.

Forward to