§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in view of the fact that E1 Salvador is a member of the Central American Defence Council, which is committed to a Guatemalan take-over in Belize, what assurance was given by E1 Salvador in response to his request that arms sold to E1 Salvador should not be used in any Central American Defence Council exercise.
§ Mr. Fauldsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has yet received an assurance from the Government of E1 Salvador that they will not use the arms which are to be sold to them against Belize.
§ Mr. LuardThe Government of E1 Salvador have been asked for, and have given, an assurance that armoured vehicles to be supplied under a contract signed several months ago will in no circumstances be used against the British Armed Forces in Belize.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the last occasion when the British Ambassador in E1 Salvador had conversions with the Archbishop of San Salvador; if the subject of human rights in that country was discussed; and if the Ambassador will hold further urgent talks with the Archbishop on the subject of human rights and the current situation in E1 Salvador.
§ Mr. LuardThe British Ambassador in San Salvador paid a call on the Archbishop of San Salvador on 6th December during which the internal situation in El Salvador was discussed. The Ambassador and his staff will continue to keep in touch with representatives of the Catholic Church as part of their normal duties.
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§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in the light of current proposals to sell arms to E1 Salvador, on how many occasions since 1970 the Government of E1 Salvador have supported self-determination for Belize and territorial integrity at the United Nations; and on how many occasions they supported Guatemala's claims.
§ Mr. LuardE1 Salvador voted against pro-Belize resolutions in the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1975, 1976 and 1977.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations were made by him to the Government of E1 Salvador following President Romero's statement of 1st July 1977 offering military support for a Guatemalan invasion of Belize.
§ Mr. LuardFollowing a reported statement by President Romero on 2nd July, the British Ambassador in San Salvador and members of his staff sought clarification of the Salvadorean Government's position on Belize on various occasions during subsequent weeks. Further reference to the President's reported statement was made in a Diplomatic Note transmitted by the British Ambassador on 25th November.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in view of last week's vote at the United Nations when E1 Salvador once again supported Guatemalan annexation of Belize, if he will reconsider his decision to sell armoured vehicles to the Government of E1 Salvador.
§ Dr. OwenBecause of concern over Belize and over the human rights situation in E1 Salvador the Government recently reviewed the contract to supply armoured vehicles to E1 Salvador which had been approved in January. Because of the contractual situation it was reluctantly decided that in all the circumstances the contract should be fulfilled. Before agreeing to shipment of the vehicles, the Government sought and obtained an assurance from the Government of E1 Salvador that the vehicles would not in any circumstances be used against Belize. We shall not allow any further arms sales to E1 Salvador until 485W there has been clear evidence of a marked change in the internal situation in El Salvador.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise at the UN Commission on Human Rights the policies of the Government of El Salvador.
§ Mr. LuardNo decisions have yet been reached about matters to be raised at the next meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. I understand, however, that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is shortly to investigate the situation in El Salvador. The British Government welcome this proposal.
§ Mr. Durantasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government received any indication that the Government of El Salvador have withdrawn their support for Guatemalan annexation of the British Colony of Belize.
§ Mr. LuardThe formal position of the Government of El Salvador remains unchanged. However, El Salvador has also publicly supported our efforts to reach a negotiated settlement of the dispute over Belize.
§ Miss Joan Lestorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the text of guarantees he has received from the Government of El Salvador relating to the use of British military equipment against Belize.
§ Mr. LuardThe text of the diplomatic exchanges between the two Governments remain confidential. However, the Government sought and obtained an assurance from the Government of El Salvador that the vehicle would not in any circumstances be used against Belize.
§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the assurances he received from the Government of El Salvador prior to the conclusion of the agreement to sell arms.
§ Mr. LuardIn the light of the circumstances obtaining at that time, no assurances were required from the Government of El Salvador before the conclusion of486W the negotiations for the supply of armoured vehicles.