§ Miss Joan Lestorasked the Lord Privy Seal what is Her Majesty's Government's policy toward Morocco and the armed conflict in the Western Sahara.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Lord Privy Seal what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards Morocco and to the armed conflict in Western Sahara.
§ Mr. HurdHer Majesty's Government enjoys good relations with Morocco. Government policy on the Western Sahara dispute is one of neutrality. The Government do not accept Moroccan claims to the Western Sahara, nor do they recognize the Polisario Front. Nevertheless they are concerned that the dispute threatens stability in North-West Africa, and welcome efforts to reach a peaceful solution.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Lord Privy Seal if Her Majesty's Government will seek to raise at the United Nations, as a threat to world peace, the situation in Western Sahara caused by the continuing supply of arms to Morocco by France and the United States of America.
§ Miss Joan Lestorasked the Lord Privy Seal if Her Majesty's Government will seek to raise at the United Nations, as a threat to world peace, the situation in Western Sahara caused by the continuing supply of arms to Morocco by France and the United States of America.
Mr. HardHer Majesty's Government have no plans to raise the situation in the Western Sahara at the United Nations. This dispute has already been the subject of a number of conflicting United Nations resolutions, including one in 1977 which referred it to the OAU. The dispute is Arab and African in character and it is for the OAU or the Arab League to mediate.
§ Miss Joan Lestorasked the Lord Privy Seal whether the United Kingdom supplies any arms to Morocco; and whether, in view of its war against Polisario, he will ban supplies.
§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Lord Privy Seal whether the United Kingdom supplies any arms to Morocco; and if, in view of its war against Polisario, he will seek to ban supplies.
590W
§ Mr. HurdIndividual arms sales to the Maghreb as to other parts of the world are considered on their merits. In making decisions we take into account our anxiety not to increase tension in the area. In this context we do not believe that a ban on supplies to one Maghreb country would be helpful.