TNAG-1229-FCO40-1542-Possible-visit-by-the-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Com-1983 — Page 25

27 JULY 1983

Written Answers

Hun 023/18 нии

495

Written Answers

Mr. Guy Barnett asked the Secretary of State for 'Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what criteria Her Majesty's Government have supported the Democratic Kampuchean Coalition as the United Nations represen- tative of Kampuchea.

Mr. Luce: At last year's General Assembly of the United Nations, the credentials committee, which examines the credentials of all representatives at the General Assembly, recommended acceptance of the credentials of the delegation of the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea. We supported the committee's recommendations, which are made on the basis of technical considerations. In our view the maintenance of the existing representation of Cambodia at the United Nations is in line with our overall objective, which we share with the ASEAN countries and the majority of United Nations members, of bringing about the implementation of the recommendations of the International Conference of Kampuchea-Cambodia. These call for the withdrawal of Vietnamese forces, the establishment of a neutral and independent state and the holding of free elections

Brunei

Mr. Soames asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current position on the discussions taking place with the ruler of Brunei and Her Majesty's Government; and if he will make a

statement.

.t

Mr. Luce: Lord Belstead visited Brunei in April to discuss with the Sultan the detailed arrangements for defence co-operation between ourselves and the Government of Brunei after Brunei resumes full international responsibility as a sovereign and independent state at the end of this year. A wide measure of agreement was reached. Confidential contacts on outstanding issues continue through the diplomatic channel.

Mr. Dennis Buisson

Mr. Bright asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has had direct contact with his opposite number in Turkey to discuss the case of Mr. Dennis Buisson, arrested for allegedly trespassing on military property while bird watching.

Mr. Whitney: No. The British embassy in Ankara has, however, kept in touch with the Turkish authorities and was pleased to learn on 22 July that Mr. Buisson's passport was to be returned to him and that he would be free to leave Turkey.

Diplomatic Relations

Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report the countries with which the United Kingdom does not have diplomatic relations; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Whitney: As my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr. Hurd) said on 5 May, we do not have diplomatic relations with the following states:

Albania Argentina

Cambodia

Comoros

DATE

Guatemala

28.7.83

496

COL.

251

VOL.

G

Hong Kong

D

Milto

Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the next round of talks on the future of Hong Kong to begin; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Luce: The next round of talks will take place in Peking on 2-3 August.

Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has plans to pay an official visit to Hong Kong.

Mr. Luce: My right hon. and learned Friend looks forward to visiting Hong Kong. He has no firm plans to do so at present, but I hope to be able to undertake a visit of this kind in the near future.

Dependent Territories

Mr. Parry asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the system of Government in each of the United Kingdom's dependent territories; and how many persons are entitled to vote in local elections.

Mr. Whitney: A brief description of the system of government in each of the dependent territories has been placed in the Library. Information on the number of persons entitled to vote in elections in each territory will be placed in the Library as soon as it is available.

Namibia

Mr. George Robertson asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed with the South African Government the situation in Namibia.

Mr. Rifkind: My right hon. and learned Friend has not yet had an opportunity to discuss Namibia with the South African Government. But we are in regular touch with the South African authorities and the other parties involved through our representatives in South Africa, in other African countries and at the United Nations.

Mr. George Robertson asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent action Her Majesty's Government have taken to encourage the implementation of United Nations resolution 435 on the independence of Namibia.

Mr. Rifkind: We are in close touch with our partners in the contact group, and with all the parties concerned, about implementation of the United Nations plan for Namibia. We are supporting the United Nations secretary general in the execution of his mandate under Security Council resolution 532 and have made clear our readiness to assist him in any way we can.

Mr. George Robertson asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the current state of negotiations in the Western contact group of nations regarding independence for Namibia.

Mr. Rifkind: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 1 July to my hon. Friend the Member for Billericay (Mr. Proctor).-[Vol. 44, c. 167.]