§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will declare its support for the proposals in United Nations General Assembly resolutions 36/50 (1981) and 37/30 (1982); and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoodladThe hon. Member will know that the United Kingdom abstained on the two UN resolutions that he cites. We did so, in the company of our European Community partners and many other countries, in the belief that by so doing, we would help the process of reconciliation and the search for a diplomatic solution between Portugal and Indonesia. We therefore welcome the current dialogue between Portugal and Indonesia on East Timor's future, which is taking place under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General.
§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on sales of military aircraft and armaments to Indonesia.
§ Mr. GoodladOur policy on defence sales to Indonesia is based on the principle that all sovereign states enjoy the right, under article 51 of the United Nations charter, to defend themselves. This is a right that we claim for ourselves and it would be inconsistent and discriminatory to deny it to others. All applications for export licences are, none the less, subject to strict controls and scrutinised on a case by case basis. For example, if we believe a prospective purchase is likely to be used for repressive puorposes against a civilian population, the application is rejected.