asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the ongoing strife in Central America; and if he will make a statement on the present situation there.
Ceisteana—Questions. Oral Answers - Central America.
4.
As the Deputy will be aware from my statement in the House on 5 November 1985 in reply to Deputy Andrews, the Government continue to follow the situation in Central America in conjunction with the other member states of the European Community.
Latin America, and particularly the Central American isthmus, remains deeply troubled by the interrelated problems of the region, which include political instability, economic deprivation and widescale abuses of human rights. There have, however, been indications of hope in recent weeks. The Contadora process, which is the principal regional initiative in the search for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Central America, was recently relaunched by the Contadora states—— Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela — and the Contadora support group — Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Uruguay — and this has been welcomed by those states directly affected in the region. The Community, also within the framework of European Political Co-operation, have already endorsed this recent initiative and will continue to support the Contadora process, which represents a significant prospect for lasting peace and stability in this troubled part of the world.
Will the Minister say what is the view of the Government on the recent statement by President Reagan of the United States and his intention to go to Congress to get money to support the guerrillas in Nicaragua?
The attitude of the Government and of the EC is very clear from the statements issued. We consider that the search for peace, stability and prosperity in the Central American region will most easily be achieved if the initiative comes from the countries concerned and the surrounding countries. Other states should not interfere in the internal workings of any of the countries concerned.
May I take it from that that the Minister rejects the statement of the President of the United States on the matters I mentioned in my earlier supplementary?
The Deputy may take it that the Minister supports his colleagues in the Twelve. The best prospects for peace and stability in the Central American region come from the Contadora process which has been relaunched in recent weeks and which I hope will be successful.
Will the Minister state his view and that of the Government on the recent statement by the President of the United States on the question of supplying money and arms to the guerrillas in Nicaragua? I merely want to know the attitude of the Government to a statement by the President of the United States which is central to the whole issue. Do we support it or not? I accept everything else the Minister has said, but he did not answer my question.
I did answer the question. I said that the view of the Government and that of the Twelve is that the best hope for peace and stability is an initiative that comes from the states themselves and the neighbouring states. Other countries should not interfere in the internal workings of those states.
Does that imply that the Minister rejects the statement of the President of the United States?
It implies that I support the position of the Twelve and I will continue to do so.
Will the Minister not be man enough to say that he rejects the statement of the President of the United States?
Would the Minister agree that the Contadora initiative has been undermined by the economic sanctions imposed by the United States, who are running the economy of Nicaragua? Has he expressed any concern to the United States administration on this matter? Would he agree that the only way this country can have any influence on what is happening in Central America is by setting up a diplomatic presence in the region? What is the Minister's attitude?
No, I would not accept the last part of the Deputy's question. The Contadora process ran into some trouble in the latter half of 1985, but there are signs of hope in the past few weeks for a relaunching of this initiative. The attitude of the Contadora countries themselves, their support group and the Central American countries themselves to this new initiative gives ground for hope. While of course it would be worthwhile to have diplomatic accreditation in Central America, it would be difficult to choose which country would be most appropriate. It would be impossible financially for us to have diplomatic accreditation to all 13 countries involved. I do not accept that because we do not have diplomatic accreditation we are without influence there. The most important initiative in Central America during the past few years was the establishment of co-operation agreements between the European Community and the Central American states. The second leg of that, after the initial San José meeting in Costa Rica in September 1984, was the drafting of the framework of an agreement last November. Our influence among the Twelve and their consequential influence in Central America give us a very important role to play.