469
Iran
23 APRIL 1980
Mr. Stephen Ross: May we on the Liberal Benches assure the Minister that we welcome the decisions that were taken yesterday? We consider that the main- tenance of good relations with and sup- port for the United States are of vital importance to Western European unity.
Will the Minister tell us how many British citizens are still living in Iran, and will he give us an assurance that they will be given every assistance to leave the country if they so wish?
One of my constituents and a constitu- ent of the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Gow) have been detained for over 10 weeks without any charges being brought against them. My constituent has now been released to the care of a British company but has not been allowed to leave Iran. Will the Minister tell us what is happening in those
those circum- stances?
Mr. Hurd: I thank the hon. Gentle- man for his promise of support. There are still about 350 British subjects left in Iran. Of course, many of them had an opportunity to leave, but they have preferred to stay. That is one reason why we propose to keep a small diplo- matic staff in Tehran, so that they can continue to give what help they can in difficult circumstances.
Regarding the specific matter to which the hon. Gentleman refers, and in which several of my hon. Friends have constitu- ency interests, may I say that I received two messages this morning which have conflicted as to the exact position of the two Britons to whom he has referred. I shall certainly keep in touch with the hon. Gentleman to ensure that he receives the latest information. Our embassy staff are doing everything that they can, in difficult circumstances, to bring about the safe return to Britain of those two people.
Mr. Dalyell: In his statement, the Minister referred to the importance of the position of those Iranians who are genuinely concerned about their country's position in the world. Does he believe that the threat of sanctions will make their position easier or more difficult? If he were an aesthetic Iranian mullah- the mullahs are the people with whom we are dealing-given these threats, would it be more or less likely that he would release the hostages?
Iran
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Mr. Hurd: We are dealing with a fluid and swiftly changing situation in which different groups in Iran are jostling for power. As I said previously, he would be a rash man who would be dogmatic about the effect of particular sanctions. However, it is necessary, not simply for the United States, but for her friends and allies, to show emphatically to the Iranians that their position as a major country in the Middle East, and as a major member of the international com- munity, depends on compliance with this basic point of international law-that diplomats should be accorded the pro- tection that international law guarantees. That is a major point, although second- ary perhaps to the primary need for maxi- mum unity within the Western Alliance.
Mr. Walters: The taking and holding of hostages is intolerable, and it is right that we should show our sympathy and solidarity with the Americans. However, will my right hon. Friend assure the House that the British and European Governments will also make clear to the United States Government that foreign policy in the Middle East-in Iran and elsewhere should be conducted in the interests of the West and not only in the interests of internal American politics, as too often it is?
Mr. Hurd: It is certainly the duty of the allies of the United States to make sure that all these decisions are taken against the general background in the Middle East and, in particular, the over- whelming need to stem the threat from Soviet expansionism. It would be wrong and unfair to attribute American con- cern over the hostages to the fact that it is an election year. As the right hon. Member for Stepney and Poplar (Mr. Shore) said, if we this year-not an election year in Britain-had 50 British diplomats, or indeed any Britons, held as hostages for five months in Iran, there would be a very high level of emotion, anxiety and frustration in this country
as well.
Mr. Faulds: Does the hon. Gentle- man really think that the Americans pay such regard to the sensitivities of the British electorate? Does he agree that a one-term presidency in the United States would enormously enhance inter- national relations? Will he understand and accept that if any form of military
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