HC Deb 20 February 1990 vol 167 cc621-2W
Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which years since the adoption by the United Nations of a resolution on the right to self-determination of the East Timorese in 1975 the United Nations General Assembly has discussed the situation in East Timor; and how Her Majesty's Government voted on each occasion.

Mr. Sainsbury

The United Nations General Assembly discussed East Timor at every General Assembly session between 1975 and 1982. We abstained on each occasion.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has concerning the number and fate of people arrested, detained or tortured in East Timor since the visit there of Pope John Paul II in October 1989.

Mr. Sainsbury

We understand that 26 people may still be under investigation in connection with various incidents, including the demonstration after the Pope's mass on 12 October. A number of trials may follow. None was detained following the demonstration on 17 January during the United States ambassador's visit. There have been accusations of torture, but we are not in a position to substantiate them.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has concerning the number of East Timorese who have disappeared or died through violence since the Indonesian occupation in East Timor in 1975; and what sources of information Her Majesty's Government have on this area.

Mr. Sainsbury

We have access to a range of sources which provide conflicting assessments. Estimates vary from 60,000 to 100,000 fatalities.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives Her Majesty's Government have taken to implement the right to self-determination for the people of East Timor(a) in direct contact with the Indonesian Government, (b) through the European Community, (c) in contact with the Association of South East Asia Nations, (d) at the United Nations and (e) in the inter government group on Indonesia.

Mr. Sainsbury

We consider that the conditions required for a definitive exercise of self-determination can be created only through co-operation between the two Governments directly concerned, those of Portugal and Indonesia. We and our EC partners have therefore sought to encourage such a settlement in contacts with the Indonesians and the United Nations. We are sure that the United Nations Secretary-General, Portugal and Indonesia will be concerned to find a settlement which fully protects the interests of the people of East Timor. We have not raised the issue in the intergovernmental group on Indonesia. ASEAN countries do not regard East Timor as a regional issue for discussion with Her Majesty's Government.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the inter government group on Indonesia has considered the request of parliamentarians for East Timor that the group discusses the occupation of East Timor by Indonesia; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Sainsbury

The intergovernmental group on Indonesia has not considered this request.