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11. With so much unrest prevailing in its republics, do you think the Soviet Union will crack up as a united country?
There are forces within some of the Soviet republics striving for autonomy and independence. But President Gorbachev acknowledges and understands the strength of their concerns and in response is working to establish a new, looser Union, in which the role of the individual republics would be greatly enhanced. It is in everybody's interest
that any changes should take place on the basis of mutual consent and in a calm and orderly atmosphere.
12.
Will a united Germany guarantee peaceful borders with its neighbours, particularly Poland? Are Britain and other allied powers going to insist on a treaty on the sanctity of these borders or will the question be allowed to remain open?
I made clear when Polish Prime Minister Mazowiecki visited London recently that I fully supported Poland's wishes for its border with a united Germany to be guaranteed by a Treaty. I was therefore very pleased when the Federal German Parliament adopted a resolution, brought forward by the governing coalition, which confirmed that there would be such a Treaty with Poland after unification, and added that the Germans had no territorial claims on Poland.
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13. Is Britain likely to take up the question of Berlin before the two Germanies unite?
We shall be discussing the future of Berlin in the 2+4 group I mentioned before. It is clearly a complex issue, but the aim is that our rights and responsibilities there should be wound up at the same time as the two German states unite.
14.
With East Europe opening up as a market, will Britain and other European nations dilute the flow of investment aid and technology to other countries say in Asia?
We take a very close interest in developments in Eastern Europe. But the aid we are directing there, both bilateral and Community, is new money to be disbursed entirely separately from traditional aid programmes, to which we remain fully committed. Inevitably, businessmen will decide on where to invest taking commercial considerations in mind. It is more important than ever to make investment attractive to foreign companies, and to compete effectively for it.
15.
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How do you view Indo-British relations at this time?
They are excellent, as the current State Visit by President Venkataraman shows. We have much to share, and welcome the broadest possible dialogue and exchange with India, as a leading member both of the Commonwealth and of the developing world.
INVABP
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