5
questions, including strategic importance of region to the US. Failure to resolve these real US security concerns would have
serious implications for the whole Western Alliance.
23. British and EC efforts in Central America do not set out to cut
across US efforts. US shares aims of promoting peace, democracy and
economic recovery, and has stressed support for Contadora process.
24. On El Salvador, we welcomed return to democracy. Duarte
deserves all support for his policies of strengthening democracy, improving human rights and seeking national reconciliation.
25. On Nicaraguan elections, we are concerned about conditions of election campaign which led to withdrawal by part of opposition. these circumstances no possibility of a genuinely free and fair contest. Considered it wrong to send observers. View shared by most of our EC partners. Hope opposition parties will nonetheless be offered fair participation in national political life and that democracy will in due course be properly established.
In
26. With regard to the US's attitude to Nicaragua, we
we can only point to reports of further Soviet arms supplies to Nicaragua. Contadora proposals for arms limitation and reduction. Most regrettable if new weapons systems introduced which would inevitably be seen as a threat to other countries in region. Situation calls for greatest possible restraint on all sides.
رة
FALKLAND ISLANDS
27. Grateful that so many Commonwealth members recognised the
reality of our position and once again declined to support Argentina's resolution at this year's United Nations General Assembly debate on the Falklands, calling for negotiations on sovereignty.
28.. Our position remains unchanged commitments to the Islanders,
self-determination. Remain ready to try to work towards more normal
relations between Britain and Argentina after the tragic events of
1982. Firmly believe this to be in the interests of Britain,
/Argentina
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