HC Deb 25 January 1982 vol 16 cc247-8W
Mr. Marlow

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is satisified that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is prepared to stand by the provision in the Helsinki agreement which guarantees the territorial integrity of signatory States, in light of statements in TASS that present events in Poland may jeopardise its independence.

Mr. Humphrey Atkins

On 11 January we joined our NATO allies in issuing a joint declaration deploring the sustained campaign mounted by the Soviet Union against national renewal in Poland, and its active support for the suppression of civil liberties which has followed the imposition of martial law. The NATO allies noted that these acts could not be reconciled with the principles of the Final Act of Helsinki, especially those dealing with sovereignty, non-intervention, threat of force and self-determination. The Soviet Union can be in no doubt as to the profound consequences for international relations that would result from armed intervention.

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