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1983, and made clear to Mr Denktash that we should take
a very serious view of any so-called declaration of
independence.
I said that such a move would make a
solution to the Cyprus dispute much harder to find and
would naturally be condemned. Events have proved me
right. But the UN Secretary General is making untiring
efforts to bring about a resumption of intercommunal
talks. He has our active support and we have urged
both sides to show flexibility. My Rt Hon Friend the
Prime Minister had discussions with President Kyprianou
on 24 September and my Rt Hon Friend the Foreign and
Commonwealth Secretary met the Turkish Foreign Minister
on 27 September. We shall continue to support the UN
Secretary General's initiative.
19. In the last century Lord Salisbury described
British foreign policy as "floating downstream, fending
off problems with a boathook". Noble Lords will detect
from my speech that things have changed a little. The
tide is often fierce. This means that the need for
determination and skill in the conduct of our foreign
policy is greater. The other great difference from
Lord Salisbury's day is the need for Britain to work
not alone, but with her allies and friends.
That is
why we base our foreign policy on NATO and the European
Community.
That is why we attach such importance to
the Commonwealth, of which Heads of Government will
meet again next autumn in the Bahamas. This Government
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