HC Deb 29 October 1985 vol 84 cc450-1W
Mr. Corbyn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to offer United Kingdom mediation for bilateral negotiations between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and Nicaragua and Honduras aimed at peaceful resolution of the armed conflict between Nicaragua and Contra guerillas, or to propose the offer of Western European mediation at the forthcoming ministerial meeting in Luxembourg.

Mr. Rifkind

No. We and our European partners consider that the Contadora process and an agreement based on the 21 Contadora objectives is the best opportunity to achieve a comprehensive political solution to the crisis of the region. A major aim of the Luxembourg meeting is to support the Contadora group's efforts.

Mr. Corbyn

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will call on the United States Government to restart the Manzanillo talks with Nicaragua.

Mr. Rifkind

It is for the United States to decide when to resume those talks.