Zaire (British Subjects)

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 16 May 1978.

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Photo of Mr Richard Luce Mr Richard Luce , Shoreham 12:00, 16 May 1978

I am grateful to the Secretary of State for that statement. May I put three questions to him? First, since it is a primary duty of any British Government to safeguard the interests of British subjects in any part of the world, may I tell him that the Opposition will support any positive action that he decides to take, preferably in concert with other Western Powers, to protect the interests or British subjects? May we also welcome the fact that President Kaunda has offered to help in this connection?

Secondly, can the Foreign Secretary tell the House a little about the nature of this invasion? What information is available to him? Is there evidence of any military support—whether by means of equipment of personnel—from outside powers, particularly Cuba or the Soviet Union?

Thirdly, in view of the historic European links with Zaire and with other African nations, and in view of the Western interest to see stability in the African continent, can the Foreign Secretary tell the House what action he will seek to take in concert with European and other African Powers to help maintain stability in Zaire?