416
415
Written Answers
13 APRIL 1983
to recognise its right to exist as a sovereign state behind secure and defensible borders; and what response he received.
Mr. Pym: We reaffirmed our view that if a comprehensive peace settlement is to be achieved, all the parties concerned will have to respect the principles set out in the Venice declaration, including Israel's right to existence and to security. As I have already made clear in response to my hon. Friend the Member for Epping Forest (Sir J. Biggs-Davison), the Arab side's presentation was based on the conclusions of the Fez summit.
40.. Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he received any reassurance from the Arab League delegation which recently visited London that the Arab states it represented will severally or collectively recognise the state of Israel and enter into direct peace negotiations with her.
Mr. Hurd: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Cunliffe).
Economic Recession (Intergovernmental Talks)
24. Mr. Norman Hogg asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed with the Governments of the United States of America and the European Community the effect on international relations of the world economic recession.
Mr. Rifkind: My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary discussed the economic and social situation in the European Community and the international economic environment at the European Council on 21 and 22 March. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited the United States from 27 February to 5 March and discussed the world economic situation and its effect on international relations with United States leaders on several occasions during his visit.
Middle East
25. Mr. Walters asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made towards achieving peace in the middle east.
Mr. Pym: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. Watkins).
Walter Rauff (Extradition)
26. Mr. Hoyle asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received any request from West Germany for assistance in making representa- tions for the Nazi SS officer, Walter Rauff, to be extradited from Chile for his war crimes; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Hurd: We have received no such requests.
28. Mr. Flannery asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received any request for assistance in making representations for Walter Rauff to be extradited from Chile for his crimes as an SS officer during the second world war.
Mr. Hurd: We have received no such requests.
35. Mr. Winnick asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received any request from the Federal Republic of Germany to assist in
210
Written Answers
making representations for Walter Rauff to be extradited from Chile in order to face trial for crimes against humanity.
Mr. Hurd: We have received no such requests.
Disarmament
30. Mr. Chapman asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress at current disarmament negotiations.
Mr. Hurd: Progress in the negotiations remains disappointing. The Russians have abruptly and publicly rejected Western proposals for the negotiation of an interim agreement on intermediate range nuclear forces. In the other negotiations the Russians have failed to respond to the West's radical proposals for major cuts in a wide range of weapons and forces. But we shall not be deterred from continuing to seek real, balanced and verifiable reductions at the negotiating table.
Zimbabwe (Human Rights)
31. Mr. Clinton Davis asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has any plans to meet the Foreign Minister of Zimbabwe to discuss human rights questions.
Mr. Onslow: My right hon. Friend has no such plans at present.
Argentina (Arms Sales)
32. Mr. Skinner asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with other European Community Ministers regarding sales of arms to Argentina; and if he will make
a statement.
Mr. Onslow: We have repeatedly made plain to our Community partners our views on arms sales to Argentina. They have assured us these will be taken into account.
Dependent Territories
33. Mr. Stanbrook asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the constitutional progress of dependent territories of the United Kingdom.
Mr. Onslow: Our general policy is to encourage the constitutional development of dependent territories towards independence where this is a feasible option; but we do not force independence on those who do not want it.
Angola
36. Mr. Hooley asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether any British citizens have been seized by rebel troops operating in Angola.
Mr. Onslow: No.
King Hussein of Jordan
37. Dr. M. S. Miller asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, during his discussions with King Hussein of Jordan, the King
DATE
13.1.83 COL. 416
VOL
C
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.