15. But at the same time we stand firmly by our commitments to the
Islanders. Apart from ensuring their defence we have two other aims.
First we shall continue to promote conditions in which the Islanders can
live peacefully under a government of their choosing; and second we shall
provide help for the development of the Islands' economy.
16. As the House will recall, we followed up the Prime Minister's message
to President Alfonsin at his inauguration by putting a number of specific
ideas to the Argentine Government on 26 January. We have since received a
considered reply, which we are studying. I have no doubt that there are
practical areas in which progress should be possible. But one thing must
be quite clearly understood: we have no intention of discussing the
sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
East/West Relations
17. My Hon Friend, Mr Whitney, spoke to the House on 9 March about
East/West relations. But I have not had the chance to do so in substance
since the Debate in November. Since then the Soviet walk-out from the INF
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