I propose to take questions Nos. 24, 44 and 46 together.
The Government are concerned at the numerous reports of violations of the human rights of members of the ethnic Turkish community in Bulgaria. Since we do not have diplomatic relations of any kind with Bulgaria, we consider that the most appropriate way to make this concern known to the Bulgarian authorities is through the framework of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE). Accordingly, the Head of our Delegation to the Conference on the Human Dimension of the CSCE, which held its first meeting in Paris last month, voiced our concern at the treatment of this community and pressed the Bulgarian authorities for assurances that steps would be taken to ensure that all Bulgarians can enjoy their full human rights and fundamental freedoms.
I am informed that the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has provided assistance towards transportation, care and maintenance of certain ethnic Turks who have made their way to Turkey through third countries. I also understand that he has made an informal offer of his good offices to assist in negotiating an orderly settlement of the question, but that this has not been accepted by the Bulgarian Government.