§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what approaches he has made to, or received from, the Botswana Government in respect of the raid by South African security forces into Botswana on 28 March.
§ Mrs. ChalkerFollowing the raid, the Botswana high commissioner in London called on me.
§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the South African Government following the raid by South African security forces into Botswana on 28 March.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe issued a statement on 28 March condemning the raid. I asked the South African ambassador to call on 29 March and delivered our very strong protest. On 31 March the German ambassador in Cape Town gave a similar message to the South African Government on behalf of the 12 member states of the European Community.
§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for United Kingdom policy on the maintenance of stability in southern Africa of South Africa's policy towards Botswana.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe have condemned South Africa's use of force in its relations with Botswana and its other neighbours. We shall continue to urge the South Africans to exercise restraint and to co-operate peacefully with their neighbours.
§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has made any representations to, or received representations from, the African National Congress with regard to the African National Congress's use of Botswana as a route into South Africa.
§ Mrs. ChalkerNo. But we have made clear on many occasions our opposition to cross-border incursions from whatever quarter.
§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the African National Congress use of Botswana as a route into South Africa.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe have repeatedly condemned cross-border incursions in either direction. Our opposition to the use of violence by the African National Congress is well known to it, as well as to others.
§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made156W of the implications for United Kingdom policy towards the maintenance of stability in southern Africa of the African National Congress's use of Botswana as a route into South Africa.
§ Mrs. ChalkerCross-border incursions from whatever quarter threaten stability in the region.
§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he proposes to take to strengthen the United Kingdom's relationship with Botswana.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe United Kingdom already enjoys a close and cordial relationship with Botswana. We consult regularly about the situation in the region.