HL Deb 24 January 1991 vol 525 cc331-3

3.15 p.m.

Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:

What they consider to be the best and most appropriate ways of assisting those in the Baltic republics who are seeking independence.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (The Earl of Caithness)

My Lords, we believe that the best way we can help the Baltic republics is by using our influence with the Soviet authorities to urge them to negotiate with elected republican representatives to bring about a peaceful resolution to their dispute.

Lord Hylton

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Earl for his Answer and also for his Written Answer of yesterday. In view of the urgency and seriousness of the situation, will the Government consider raising the matter with the United Nations Security Council and possibly also with the International Court of Justice?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I agree with the noble Lord that this is an urgent and serious matter. He asked about raising it at the United Nations. That can be done, but one has to question whether that is the most effective way to proceed. What we want to do is to resolve the problem. The best way of resolving it is by negotiation between Moscow and the republics.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, does the noble Earl agree that his caution in reply to this Question is commendable? Is it not the case that a federal or confederal arrangement might be very much better than the Balkanisation of the Balkans?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, that is not for us to say.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, can the noble Earl say how the matter is to be dealt with? Is it on the agenda of the meeting of European Community Foreign Ministers? If it is, what will the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Douglas Hurd, be advocating? Furthermore, while we deeply deplore the violence used by the Soviet troops in Estonia and Latvia, is the noble Earl able to say whether there is clear evidence that this was due to orders from Mr. Gorbachev? Although we appreciate that he is responsible for what takes place in the Soviet Union, was this regional action taken without his knowledge?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, it is still not clear on whose responsibility the latest actions were taken. When that is clear I hope to be able to bring the House up to date.

With regard to the noble Lord's first question, we shall be looking for ways in the longer term to promote the prospects of fundamental reform in the Soviet Union. Our assistance to the Soviet Union cannot continue as if in some way isolated from the real political world. I am sure that that will be raised at the meeting of European Community Foreign Ministers.

Lord Mellish

My Lords, is it not ironic that Mr. Gorbachev is the man who opened the doors and enabled these people to protest? I agree with the noble Earl. This is a matter for negotiation between ourselves, Mr. Gorbachev and the Soviet Parliament. Let us see whether we can get some sense out of this extraordinary situation.

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I am sure the whole House will agree with the noble Lord that negotiation is the right way forward.

Lord Mowbray and Stourton

My Lords, might it be possible to remind the Russian Government that even in the days of Mr. Stalin Russia voluntarily withdrew from the parts of Austria she had occupied in return for a neutrality zone and non-militarisation? Is there perhaps some way forward in that direction?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I think there are lots of ways forward. Those are best pursued not by us making suggestions but by negotiation between Moscow and the Baltic republics concerned.

Lord Mayhew

My Lords, following on from the question put by the noble Lord, Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos, can the noble Earl say whether this matter is on the agenda for the next meeting of the Foreign Ministers? If that is so, can he say what line the Government will take? Further, will they aim to achieve unity at the meeting?

The Earl of Caithness

My Lords, I do not know whether the matter will be on the agenda. In replying to the noble Lord, Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos, I said that I thought it most likely that the subject would be raised as it is of some anxiety. It has already been raised in the Community forum and action has been taken.