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that serious tensions continue in the region [and last
Sunday's elections in Nicaragua have not helped]. The
Contadora process has been beneficial, and we hope that
final agreement can be reached. The San José meeting
in September, attended by Foreign Ministers of the Ten,
showed practical European support for a peaceful
settlement.
We have underlined the importance of
promoting democracy and human rights. Community aid
will increase and regional projects are planned.
Britain is also active in the region on her own
account. We have the Belize garrison and have
re-opened resident missions in Managua and San
Salvador. I have visited Mexico, Belize, Panama and
Costa Rica and President Monge and President Duarte
have visited Britain. We plan to increase our
bilateral aid substantially next year. This is in
addition to our existing commitments in the Caribbean,
where we are actively supporting regional cooperation
and maintain bilateral assistance worth between £25m
and £30m per year: I have first hand experience after
two visits since taking office, and I shall again be in
Trinidad and Barbados next week.
7. I turn now to the political aspects of defence. It
cannot be said too often that NATO is the foundation of
our security. The Alliance is as solid today as at any
time in its 35 year history. Its cohesion was again
demonstrated by the successful initial deployments of
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