TNAG-0930-FCO40-1148-Sanctions-against-Iran-extension-to-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 339

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Tehran. We shall insist on a parallel re- duction in the Iranian embassies in our own capitals. We shall reintroduce a visa system for Iranian citizens, after giving due notice, and we shall formally ban the export of defence equipment to Iran.

The measures to be adopted in stage two are much more far-reaching, and it was this paragraph which occupied most of the time yesterday. If I may, I shall read the key sentences. Ministers decided to seek immediate legislation where neces- sary in their national Parliaments to im- pose sanctions against Iran in accordance with the Security Council resolution on Iran, dated 10 January 1980, which was vetoed, and in accordance with the rules of international law. They believe that these legislative processes should be com- pleted by 17 May, the date of their in- formal meeting in Naples. In the absence of decisive progress on the release of the hostages, they will then proceed immedi- ately to the common implementation of sanctions.

These are decisions of great gravity. If it becomes necessary to implement them, a wide range of commercial activities will be affected. It is, of course, our hope that, at this eleventh hour, the Iranian authorities will draw the inescapable con- clusion that the continued detention of the hostages is not in Iran's own interest and should be brought to an end without delay.

If that does not happen, we shall face the situation which we contemplated when we cast our vote for the resolution pre- sented to the Security Council in January except that now the action taken must be on the basis of national measures and not on the basis of a resolution of the Security Council of the United Nations. The necessary measures will be laid before the House, and I believe that the Govern- ment can count on the co-operation of the House in handling them with the least possible delay.

The customary statement on the other business taken yesterday in the Foreign Affairs Council is being made separately in answer to a written question.

Mr. Shore: We are embarking upon a serious and inevitably uncertain course, but the Opposition have already made clear their view that the unlawful six months' detention of United States diplo- mats in Tehran is unacceptable and that

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the international community should join in diplomatic, political and economic, but not military, measures to bring about their early release. We reaffirm that view now. We shall, of course, give proper consideration to any legislation which the Government bring forward, and we shall expect the Government to keep the House fully informed as developments unfold.

In the light of the unsatisfactory re- sponse of the Iranian President to the European ambassadors last week, has the Minister any real reason to believe that the very modest diplomatic measures now to be taken--which we certainly hope will be successful-will have an effect? Secondly, can he affirm that the Nine have all agreed that, if no effective Iranian re- sponse is made, they will on 17 May in- troduce measures to prohibit direct ex- ports, the movement of goods, credits and loans and new service contracts-in other words, the same measures as were sup- ported by Britain and France and eight other members of the Security Council on 13 January? Is it also the intention to ban oil imports on the same date?

Is it not plain that, if economic sanc- tions are to have a reasonable prospect of success, there will need to be much wider support for them than that of the Nine alone? Is not the OECD the obvious forum in which to pursue these matters, both because it includes the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the EFTA as well as the EEC countries, and because it is only through the OECD's international energy programme that emergency measures can be taken to pool oil supplies should that unfortunately prove necessary?

With regard to international political action, is it not a fact that the Soviet Union, along with all other members of the Security Council, voted on 4 Decem- ber for a resolution calling for the imme- diate release of the United States hos- tages? Is there not, therefore, a strong case-in spite of their subsequent veto on 13 January for seeking renewed Soviet The issue co-operation in the matter? of the hostages should not be seen pri- marily as an issue of East and West. It is in fact the lowest common denomina- tor of serious and sane international con- duct.

Mr. Hurd: I am grateful for the right hon. Gentleman's statement of support.