HL Deb 10 October 1989 vol 511 c292WA
Lord Graham of Edmonton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will discuss with their European Community partners their intended reaction to the violence inflicted on religious leaders and peaceful women demonstrators in Cyprus on 19th July.

The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Trefgarne)

We discussed this incident with our EC partners at the time. We concluded that a statement by the Twelve would not be helpful. Meanwhile, we worked hard behind the scenes, in support of the UN Secretary-General's efforts to secure the release of the detained. The last of them were freed on 30th July.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have made following the violent action towards unarmed women who were demonstrating peacefully on 19th July in commemoration of the invasion of Cyprus by Turkish troops, and in particular, whether the Minister of State registered her protests to the Turkish Government during her recent visit to Turkey.

Lord Trefgarne

We can confirm that the matter of this demonstration, which was rather more violent than the noble Lord has been led to believe, was raised by my right honourable friend the then Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs during her visit to Turkey at the end of July. We also raised it with the other parties concerned, and urged maximum restraint, in order not to sour the atmosphere for the inter-communal dialogue, which was due to be resumed in Nicosia the following week.