POLICY STATEMENTS ON THE FALKLANDS, LEBANON AND HONG KONG
The Falklands
The Government is committed to defend the Falklands Islands and their inhabitants against the possibility of renewed attack. We shall carry forward the economic and constitutional development of the Islands in close consultation with the
Islanders. Our approach to the Falklands problem will continue to be governed by our determination to defend the inalienable right of the people of the Falkland Islands to self- determination, and we have made clear that a radical change of
approach is required in Buenos Aires. The Argentines have shown no regret at their use of force nor any interest in reducing tension; and they refuse to acknowledge the right of the Islanders to live in peace and security under a Government of their own choosing. The Prime Minister said in Parliament
on 14 July "I see no prospect of entering into negotiations with Argentina at present, and I have no intention of
negotiating sovereignty". That remains the position. We have nonetheless repeatedly affirmed our wish to develop a more normal bilateral relationship with Argentina and regret that the Argentine authorities have not responded to initiatives from our side intended to promote such a development.
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Lebanon
In Lebanon our aim is to see the authority of the legitimate Lebanese Government strengthened and the country's independence and territorial integrity restored. A practical demonstration of our support is our contribution (a 110 man armoured reconnaissance squadron) to the Multinational Force (MNF) in Beirut. The MNF's task is to give general support to the Government and Army in the Beirut area. Our own contingent has also performed the essential task of providing an impartial guard for the meetings of the ceasefire Security Committee. Now that a ceasefire has been agreed the next step must be to agree sensible arrangements to enforce it. It will then be for the Lebanese to reach a long-term solution at the reconciliation talks. talks.
We shall maintain our contribution to
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