Iran
23 APRIL 1980
477
released. The Iranian Government continues to ignore the clear call of the UN Security Council and the International Court of Justice to bring to an end a flagrant violation of inter- national law and release the hostages.
4. Since the hostages were first detained, the Nine, in full respect of the independence of Iran and the right of the Iranian people to determine their own future, have insisted that they must be released. The fact that after six months they are still detained, despite the efforts of the Nine and the clear condemna- tion by the community of nations, is intolerable from a humanitarian and legal point of view.
5. The Foreign Ministers of the Nine, deeply concerned that a continuation of this situation may endanger international peace and security, have decided to seek immediate legislation where necessary in their national Parliaments to impose sanctions against Iran in accordance with the Security Council reso- lution on Iran. Dated 10 January 1980, which was vetoed and in accordance with the tenets of international law.
They believe that these legislative processes should be completed by 17 May, the date of their informal meeting in Naples. In the absence of decisive progress on the release of the hostages, they will then proceed imme- diately to the common implementation of
sanctions.
Ministers consider that, pending the enter- ing into force of the measures mentioned above, no new export or services contract with persons and organisations in Iran should be concluded as of from now.
Steps will be taken within the Community in order that the implementation of the measures decided upon should not obstruct the proper functioning of the Common Market.
6. The Foreign Ministers decided meanwhile to put into effect without delay the following measures to the extent that they are not already in force:
(I) Reduction in embassy staffs in Tehran. (II) A reduction in the number of dip- lomats accredited by the Government of Iran in their countries.
(III) The reintroduction of a visa system for Iranian nationals travelling to member countries of the Nine.
(IV) The withholding of permission for the sale or export of arms or defence- related equipment to Iran.
7. The Foreign Ministers decided imme- diately to contact the Government of the United States through the Presidency and to inform it of the decisions taken by them.
8. The Foreign Ministers of the Nine, be- lieving that this situation should be a matter of concern to the whole international com-
upon munity, call
to other Governments associate themselves with these decisions.
9. The Foreign Ministers instructed their ambassadors to return to Tehran in the inter- val in order to convey the present decision to the Iranian Government, to follow the situa-
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tion, and to undertake all possible efforts to alleviate and improve the living conditions of the hostages pending their release.
They express the hope that the Iranian authorities will take action accordingly.
Mr. Cryer On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. On 14 April the Prime Minister made a statement on Iran. In reply to a question of mine she said:
on
"I think that the hon. Gentleman may rest assured that before any further action economic sanctions could become effective, we would have to come back to the House.' Earlier she had said:
"A Government have no powers under in- ternational law just to break contracts that are valid in international law ".—[Official Report, 14 April 1980; Vol. 982, c. 798.]
The hon. Gentleman gave the impression that a decision has already been taken contrary to that clear statement-
Mr. Speaker: Order. With respect, it appears that the hon. Gentleman is mak- ing the point that he would have made had I called him to ask a question. It is not a point of order on which I can rule.
Mr. Hurd: Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker: I have said that it is not a point of order.
Mr. Dalyell: Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker: It is not a point of order.
Mr. Dalyell: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker: The hon. Gentleman can- not raise that point of order, as I have ruled that it is not one.
Mr. Dalyell rose--
Mr. Speaker: Order; I am on my feet. I wish to tell the hon. Gentleman that I would take it very amiss if he tried to persist on a point that I have ruled is not a point of order.
Mr. Dalyell: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I rise simply to ask whether the Leader of the House will tell us the time- table for the proposed sanctions order.
Mr. Speaker: That is not a point of order. It is a question for the Leader of the House.
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