§ Mr. Cyril D. Townsendasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of the Government towards the recent United Nations resolution on South Africa and the Antarctic treaty system in the context of the support given to that resolution by several of Britain's fellow consultative parties.
§ Mr. EggarWe have repeatedly emphasised our abhorrence of South Africa's racial policies and the repressive measures which enforce them. However, those policies are unconnected with either the Antarctic treaty's purposes or South Africa's Antarctic activities. Since the General Assembly resolution in question potentially prejudiced the Antarctic treaty system's peaceful operation, the majority of treaty consultative parties, including Britain, registered disapproval by not participating in the vote. Those consultative parties who voted in favour indicated that this would have no practical effect on their treaty obligations vis-a-vis South Africa.
§ Mr. Cyril D. Townsendasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy on Antarctica and the Antarctica treaty system in the light of the recent session on Antarctic minerals at Tokyo and the United Nations debate on the question of Antarctica.
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§ Mr. EggarWe remain committed to supporting the Antarctic treaty system, which has kept Antarctica fee of conflict for so long. We therefore welcomed the further progress achieved within this framework at the recent Antarctic minerals negotiating round at Tokyo. Regrettably, recent General Assembly resolutions have sought to interfere with the Antarctic treaty's operation and membership. In addition these actions set an unwelcome precedent for other international treaties negotiated outside the United Nations orbit. Accordingly, we and most of our treaty partners have registered our disapproval by not participating in the 1986 General Assembly voting.