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Interesting times indeed.
In China, to wish someone life in
"interesting times" is a curse. But these are times of promise, and
of hope. The UK is playing an active part in the fulfilment of that
promise and the realisation of that hope.
From Warsaw to Washington, Singapore to Southern Africa our voice is
heard loud and clear across the whole diverse range of issues that
currently face us. We pursue an effective diplomacy across a wide.
front. A diplomacy that is held in well-earned respect because we
as a country are held in greater respect in the world than for many
years.
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At home, we have re-established prosperity with a record of economic growth sustained now for eight years. Our policies of economic liberalisation have brought solid results. They have been studied
and imitated around the world.
- We have also taken care to safeguard our security through the
maintenance of a strong defence, including an effective nuclear
deterrent. We have thereby earned an authoritative place at the
arms-control table.
These are achievements which both buttress and give purpose to our
foreign policy.
My Lords, I have referred to the encouraging developments in
international relations since our last debate. Nowhere have those
changes been more striking than in the area of East-West relations.
Change here has been possible for two reasons. The West has
remained firm, united and consistent in its approach. And the
approach of the Soviet Union has become more pragmatic as Mr
Gorbachev has sought a stable external environment in which to pursue his ambitious programme of domestic reform.
We do not underestimate the significance of the changed Soviet