HL Deb 05 December 1995 vol 567 cc884-5

2.48 p.m.

Lord Dubs asked Her Majesty's Government:

What discussions have taken place with the Cyprus Government regarding the proposed demilitarisation of the island as a basis for reaching a settlement.

Lord Chesham

My Lords, the subject of demilitarisation arises regularly in our talks with both communities in Cyprus. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary discussed it with the Cypriot Foreign Minister, Mr. Michaelides, when he was in London on 1st November. Moves to reduce deployment of troops and levels of military equipment on the island can only help to improve the climate for a settlement.

Lord Dubs

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his Answer. Does he agree that the proposal to demilitarise the island, involving both a significant reduction in armed forces in the area of the republic and also that occupied by the Turkish Army, is the best way forward for reaching a settlement and ending 21 years of military occupation of northern Cyprus by the Turkish army?

Lord Chesham

My Lords, I certainly agree that demilitarisation from both sides will have considerable advantage in the discussions in trying to get the two sides together.

Lord Vivian

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that it has been reported that the Greek Cypriots have recently spent many millions of pounds, representing a large part of their GDP, on new and highly technical weapons systems?

Lord Chesham

My Lords, we are aware of that report. We do not believe that any form of re-arming can be helpful in this situation.

Lord Monson

My Lords, at a time when 60,000 NATO troops are being put into Bosnia—where there are many parallels with Cyprus—in order to prevent people of different religious affiliations from killing one another, would it not be the height of folly to withdraw troops from Cyprus before a political settlement is reached? The certain consequence would be fighting between Greek civilians attempting to repossess their properties in the north after 21 years and the present Turkish occupants who would undoubtedly resist them.

Lord Chesham

My Lords, when we talk about demilitarisation, it is demilitarisation on both the Turkish and the Greek Cypriot sides. We are not talking about demilitarisation of UN troops, which hold the sides apart.

Lord Stallard

My Lords, would the Minister care to enlarge on the constructive proposals for demilitarisation recently put forward by President Clerides of the republic? Can he tell us the response from the occupied part in the north?

Lord Chesham

My Lords, discussions are taking place which are confidential at the moment. We trust that they will be successful, but I should hate to prejudice that by answering the question at this stage.

Baroness Blackstone

My Lords, as my noble friend said, it is 21 years since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The island is still divided and occupied. Can the Minister tell the House whether, as one of the guarantor powers, the Government are happy with the progress which has been made on the matter? Perhaps the involvement of the United States will help. Can the Minister also tell the House what the Government expect to be the outcome of the visit by the US presidential envoy this week to Cyprus?

Lord Chesham

My Lords, we work closely with the US to establish a channel for confidential dialogue between the two communities. So far the talks have not been as productive as we would hope. We are doing everything we can and pushing like mad to come to some settlement. As to the results of the meeting this week, we shall have to wait for it to take place.

Lord Mowbray and Stourton

My Lords, will my noble friend agree that, despite the blandishments of the noble Baroness and other noble Lords, 21 years ago the Turks suffered a lot of hassle on the part of the Government of Cyprus? I agree that it was an invasion hut it was not totally without provocation.

Lord Chesham

My Lords, I do not believe that there is anything to be gained from blaming one side or the other. A just, peaceful and lasting settlement requires the free consent of both communities. That cannot be achieved by bullying.