TNAG-0930-FCO40-1148-Sanctions-against-Iran-extension-to-Dependent-Territories-1980 — Page 344

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Iran

Iran

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23 APRIL 1980

immense and manifold dangers through- out the Islamic world of attempting to treat the matter in a military way.

Mr. Cormack: Does my hon. Friend accept that, although there is wide support for his statesmanlike and moderate approach to these matters-and support for the decision of the EEC--there may come a time when sterner measures will have to be contemplated? Unless the Iranian Government are aware of that, they are unlikely to take seriously what is now being suggested.

Mr. Hurd: I understand my hon. Friend's point. I hope that he will for- give me if I am not drawn further down the track than 17 May.

Mr. McNally: Does the Minister appreciate that many of us fear that dead- lines have an unhappy aptitude for being reached and then the ante is automatically up? Is escalating belligerency really the solution to the problem? May I urge him to consider the calling of the Iranian Parliament? We are dealing with a region where face is still important, and where a way out, rather than abject surrender, is likely to be the real solution. I urge him to give wise counsel to the Americans; that is a service that we can undertake. Of all the proposals that have been put forward, the proposal that the convened, elected, Iranian Parliament should release the hostages appears to be the way out for those people of goodwill in Iran mentioned by the Minister.

Mr. Hurd: The hon. Gentleman is right on the question of wise counsel, but it will not be received by the Ameri- cans unless it is accompanied by some effort on our part. He is right to under- line the importance of the newly-elected Iranian Parliament. The timetable worked out in Luxembourg yesterday is designed to enable it to get to work quickly on that aspect before the Foreign Ministers meet again on 17 May.

Mr. Aitken: As international economic sanctions have a proven record of failure, should we not face the fact that a third stage of measures against Iran is likely to be necessary and that it will involve military force? Will my hon. Friend give an assurance that contingency plans are being considered to support such a third stage by the United States?

Mr. Hurd: My hon. Friend has a wide and long experience of the Middle East. I think that he will understand the

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Mr. Cyril D. Townsend: Does my hon. Friend appreciate that the role of his right hon. and noble Friend the Foreign Secretary in obtaining a common approach by the European Community in support of the United States is warmly welcomed? What action will be taken by the European Community to ensure that the issue comes before the General Assembly of the United Nations, because the taking of diplomatic hostages affects every country in the United Nations?

The

Mr. Hurd: I am grateful for the first part of my hon. Friend's remarks. question of further action by the United Nations is something that we keep in mind at all times. The United Nations peace procedures following the veto of a resolution in the Security Council are somewhat complicated. Neither we nor the Americans have excluded the possi- bility of further action in the United Nations. We have a resolution of the security council, which was not vetoed, and the Americans also have obtained a judgment in the International Court of Justice.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk: If the Government are to announce the imposition of sanc- tions, will they announce yet again that there will be an amnesty for all those who break them?

Mr. Hurd: No, Sir.

Following is the full text of communiqué issued by EC Foreign Ministers today, 22 April:

Decision by the Foreign Ministers of the Nine on Iran

1. The Foreign Ministers of the Nine mem- ber States of the European Community meeting in Luxembourg on 22 April discussed the implications of the recent events in Iran in following the demarche to the President of the light of the reports by their ambassadors

Iran decided upon by the Foreign Ministers at their meeting in Lisbon on 10 April.

the

2. The Foreign Ministers expressed solidarity of the Nine with the Government and people of the United States at this time of trial.

3. While welcoming the visit by the ICRC to the hostages on 14 April and noting the assurances given by President Bani Sadr as to the living conditions of the hostages the Foreign Ministers expressed their profound regret that the Iranian Government has been unable to give precise assurances about the date and methods by which the hostages would be