The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Category: 1994

  • Mr Major’s Joint Statement with Albert Reynolds – 19 February 1994

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s joint statement with the Irish Prime Minister, Albert Reynolds, held outside Downing Street on Saturday 19th February 1994.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We have had a very useful discussion this morning. We thought the opportunity of our joint attendance at Twickenham this afternoon was a suitable opportunity to take stock of where we are. We have had a very useful review this morning of where we stand both on the Joint Declaration and on the continuing talks process.

    Let me make it quite clear at the outset that we are wholly united in our approach, wholly united in our determination to proceed to try and find a solution to the problems of Northern Ireland. We see the Joint Declaration as a foundation stone for the future approach of both governments; we are committed to it, we believe it has lasting value and we see it as a balanced statement of principles for the future. It is our judgement that its value has already been clearly shown in the way in which it has been received both in Ireland and abroad.

    It is of course impossible for either of us to say whether the Provisionals will decide to give up violence in the near future.

    What we are utterly agreed about is that there is no justification for the continuance of violence either by the Provisionals or Indeed by anybody else. What must be fully understood is that we are not waiting for the Provisionals or for anybody else. We have taken further steps in the talks process and we have this morning reaffirmed our joint commitment to that process. No-one should be able to veto progress on the talks.

    We have made clear what Sinn Fein needs to do to join the constitutional process; they are free to come in, they are free to stay out if that is what they choose but what they can’t do is hold up our determination to continue with the talks process and endeavour to find a solution.
    We have agreed this morning that we will continue to cooperate closely on security and do all we can to oppose terrorism and I would like to say that the improved security cooperation between the Garda and the security forces in Northern Ireland has been of immense help over recent years and that is going to continue.

    The intention that we both have is peace. We would like it soon but however long it takes, our determination is to continue a search for that peace. We believe that is what the people of Northern Ireland wish to see, what the people in the Republic wish to see and what people in other parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, wish to see. We have no intention of surrendering any of our principles to violence. Those principles are clearly set down in the Joint Declaration and we reaffirm them very firmly this morning.

    PRIME MINISTER REYNOLDS:

    We had a very cordial and fruitful meeting here this morning. The match did give us an opportunity of coming together two months after the Peace Declaration was published here in Downing Street on 15 December. It is a declaration that both of us and both governments are fully committed to; it is a declaration that will endure; it is indeed a formula for peace because it sets out the principles on which a lasting peace can be built. We aim to take that Peace Declaration and make it the anchor for the resumption of the three-stranded talks process; they will be grounded on the sets of principles that are outlined in the Peace Declaration.

    We want to proceed with those as soon as possible; we never saw them in competition with each other, we see them as complementing each other and we believe that a very solid basis has been agreed upon in the Joint Declaration that has commanded widespread support not just in these islands but indeed throughout the world as well. Indeed, the Irish people at home and abroad fully subscribe and support the Peace Declaration and believe, like us, that there is no justification for continuing with violence once those sets of principles are laid out there for everybody to see and for every to participate in. We deplore and condemn violence and death from wherever it comes and we deplore the seeming resumption in some quarters of the violence that has indeed plagued our island for the last twenty-five years.

    This is a new hope, a new direction to provide the opportunity to get a lasting peace in Ireland and a broad-based agreement based on the sets of principles that we agreed on here on 15 December, We will continue at a very high level our very successful cooperation in relation to the security arrangements between North and South and between our two governments and I think that they have served us well and they will be kept up to speed on both sides.

    I haven’t anything further to add to what the Prime Minister has laid out very clearly here about where we come from, where we are at this morning and where we go on from here.

    QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

    QUESTION (Robin Oakley, BBC):

    Have you agreed on a deadline for Sinn Fein’s response to the Downing Street Declaration of December?

    PRIME MINISTER MAJOR:

    It wasn’t a question of deadlines because the Joint Declaration is a permanent foundation stone, it isn’t a question of having an artificial deadline. The point is that the response from Sinn Fein is not holding up the three-stranded talks process and the other cooperation between the two governments so there is no question of having an artificial deadline that everything must wait upon. The other developments towards a settlement in Northern Ireland are continuing, we have been discussing them this morning.

    QUESTION:

    What happened on the question of the resumption of the talks process?

    PRIME MINISTER REYNOLDS:

    We have agreed that our officials will continue to talk and indeed have a liaison meeting very shortly and that the British Government will continue their talks with the various parties.

    There will be a liaison meeting before the next Anglo-Irish Conference, the officials will be agreeing that date today before they leave.

    QUESTION:

    On the resumption of the talks, have you agreed a date?

    PRIME MINISTER REYNOLDS:

    No, we have to get the work finished in the Liaison Committee first before the opportunity is there to resume the talks process.

    PRIME MINISTER MAJOR:

    What we have agreed this morning is that the work that is necessary should go ahead speedily and our officials will agree a date for them to reassemble later on today probably.

    PRIME MINISTER REYNOLDS:

    What it is important to remember is that the talks process goes ahead.

    QUESTION:

    I wondered what your response was to the rash of fire-bombing in London this morning that were obviously timed to coincide with your meeting.

    PRIME MINISTER MAJOR:

    I think our response to that is entirely identical. There is absolutely no justification for those fire bombs overnight any more than there is any justification for the murder of the community police officer last week or the other atrocities that have taken place in Northern Ireland from both sides. There is no justification for it.

    There is a route now open for Sinn Fein to join the constitutional process. They know what they have to do. All they have got to do is decide that they will give up violence and then they have a proper route to express their views constitutionally so we share an outrage at what happened overnight.

    PRIME MINISTER REYNOLDS:

    We do absolutely but we also recognise that this was always going to be a difficult process, the road to peace was always going to be difficult and there would always be people in the paramilitaries on both sides indeed that would be trying to stop the best efforts that we can make in relation to it but we will not be put off by this type of violence and by this type of destruction that takes place. We will continue along that difficult road, recognising that people are going to try and frustrate our efforts but they will not succeed.

  • PMQT Written Answers – 18 February 1994

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 18th February 1994.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Data Protection Registrar

    Mr. Batiste : To ask the Prime Minister who is to be the new Data Protection Registrar.

    The Prime Minister : I am pleased to announce that Her Majesty the Queen has approved the appointment of Mrs. Elizabeth France as the new Data Protection Registrar, on the retirement of Mr. Eric Howe later this year.
    Mrs. France is currently head of information systems and pay services division of the Home Office. She is expected to take up her duties as registrar in the summer.

  • PMQT – 17 February 1994

    Below is the text of Prime Minister’s Question Time from 17th February 1994.

    PRIME MINISTER:

     

    Engagements

    Q1. Mr. Welsh : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 17 February.

    The Prime Minister (Mr. John Major) : This morning, I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

    Mr. Welsh : Does the Prime Minister accept that the withdrawal of guns from Sarajevo is not the end of the story if they are freed for use elsewhere in Bosnia? Does he accept reports from one of my constituents that Bihac has been under constant shellfire since the day after the Sarajevo massacre, that 18 people died in a direct hit on a hospital last Monday and that there is hand-to-hand fighting? In wishing him success in Sarajevo, can I ask him what follows from that?

    The Prime Minister : The hon. Gentleman is entirely right that, although Sarajevo is central to our concerns at the moment, there are many other areas of grave difficulty besides Sarajevo. The only satisfactory conclusion that we will get is by pursuing the political negotiations to achieve a satisfactory, agreed political settlement. Those political negotiations will proceed. The United States is clearly going to take a higher profile than previously in the peace negotiations and that will be extremely welcome.

     

    Q2. Sir Ralph Howell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 17 February.

    The Prime Minister : I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave some moments ago.

    Sir Ralph Howell : In view of the Government’s excellent record of and commitment to safeguarding the value of pensions, is it not remarkable that last night the Opposition voted against uprating? Is this not a case of fine words and weasel actions?

    The Prime Minister : I think that my hon. Friend is right about the vote yesterday. [Interruption.]

    Madam Speaker : Order. This is enormously time-consuming. I urge the House to be quiet.

    The Prime Minister : My hon. Friend is still right in what he said a moment or so ago. We shall judge Opposition Members by their deeds and not just by their words, and last night they were in the wrong Lobby.

    Mr. John Smith : Can the Prime Minister tell us why, in his article in today’s Daily Express entitled “What I mean by Back to Basics”, there is no reference whatsoever to taxation? Is this deliberate or accidental?

    The Prime Minister : The right hon. and learned Gentleman knows very well–for I have told him from this Dispatch Box on previous occasions– that “back to basics” runs right across the whole of Government policy, including the economy. He will know that, as a result of the sensible economic policies that we have been following, we now have growth unmatched by other countries across Europe.

    Mr. John Smith : If “back to basics” covers all these things, why, in the article, is there no reference to taxation? I remind the Prime Minister that, speaking to a rally on 7 April–two days before the general election–he told his audience :

    “More tax cuts for all : that is our basic Conservative belief.” Why did such a basic belief disappear suddenly?

    The Prime Minister : The reality is that the Conservative party is the one which cuts taxes, and it always has been. Not even the right hon. and learned Gentleman can conceive of any circumstances in which, or any occasion when, taxation would be lower under a Labour Government than under a Conservative Government.

    Mr. John Smith : Is not the truth that the Prime Minister was so gravely embarrassed by the duplicity of his Administration before the election and by their incompetence since the election that he dared not even refer to taxation in his article on “back to basics”? The right hon. Gentleman, in his article, goes on to claim–perhaps understandably–that this is not a moral crusade, but he does say that it has a moral dimension. Does not that moral dimension include telling the people the truth about tax?

    The Prime Minister : Over the last 14 years, the Conservative party has cut tax after tax after tax in Budget after Budget. What did the hon. Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) have to say? He said :

    “The Budget decisions the Conservatives made in the 1980s” those that cut taxes

    “were completely unacceptable.”

    The hon. Gentleman is nodding and confirming that those tax cuts were unacceptable. I am delighted, for we now know that the Opposition are not in favour of tax cuts, even when the opportunity presents itself. That can mean one thing and one thing only : the Opposition thought then that tax cuts were unacceptable, and they have no intention of cutting taxes in the future.

    Mr. Quentin Davies : Is my right hon. Friend aware that in this country there is very widespread recognition of the fact that his decision that we should join in the ultimatum to the warring factions in Bosnia was a very difficult one, was characteristically courageous and, in the circumstances, was absolutely right? Will he give the House an assurance that if we have to take military action our troops will receive all the back-up support and air cover that they require? Does he share my conviction that, if called upon to act, our forces will behave with all the bravery and professionalism that they have demonstrated on similar occasions?

    The Prime Minister : There is no doubt that the British contingent of UNPROFOR has performed with the highest distinction and I am certain that it will continue to do so. The United Kingdom and a number of other countries have received several further requests from the United Nations. We are able to meet some, but not all of them. The most immediate is for help in consolidating and monitoring the ceasefire at Sarajevo. The Government agreed this morning to provide some urgent assistance. Two companies of the Coldstream guards will be redeployed from central Bosnia to help in the demilitarisation of Sarajevo. We shall also provide a mortar-locating troop of around 60 soldiers equipped with Cymbeline radar. The United Nations also asked for additional battalions from– [Interruption.] I should have thought that the House might be interested in what is happening in Bosnia. The UN also asked for additional battalions for UNPROFOR from several countries. As Britain already had a large contingent there, we decided not to send an additional battalion as part of the general– [Interruption.]

    Madam Speaker : Order. The Prime Minister is answering a– [Interruption.] Order. [Hon. Members :– “It is a statement.”] Order. I am prepared to name people today. The Prime Minister is giving a serious answer and I want us to hear the end of it in silence.

    The Prime Minister : The House may not have heard the last few words that I said. I made it clear that although the United Nations has asked for additional battalions from several countries, as we already had a large contingent there, we decided not to send an extra battalion as part of the general reinforcement.

    Mr. Ashdown : Does the Prime Minister realise that answer will be taken as a “no” to General Rose’s request for further troops in Sarajevo? Does he realise that will be heard as music to the ears of the Serbs? Should the proper response of the British Government to a British general who asks for the resources to do the job that we have asked him to do, not be if, but and maybe, but yes?

    The Prime Minister : Due to the noise from Opposition Members, perhaps the right hon. Gentleman did not hear what I said a moment ago. I told him– [Interruption.] Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will listen now and not ask such stupid questions in future. I said that the most immediate need is to help in consolidating and monitoring the Sarajevo ceasefire. That is what General Rose asked for and I said that the Government agreed this morning to provide that extra assistance. Two companies of the Coldstream guards will be redeployed from central Bosnia to help the demilitarisation. That is what I told the House a moment ago and, based on that, the right hon. Gentleman’s question is an absurdity.

    Mr. Bates : Has my right hon. Friend had an opportunity to see the latest edition of “Teesside 2000”, which gives details of some 20 separate investments totalling some £3.5 billion in the Teesside area? Is not that good news for Teesside and an adequate demonstration of how the Government’s policy of Government agencies and the private sector are succeeding in regenerating the north-east, whereas the policy of state hand-outs to inefficient nationalised industries from the Opposition failed?

    The Prime Minister : There is no doubt about the attractiveness of Teesside and of other parts of the United Kingdom to investment from overseas. Of course, that relates to a number of things–the general economic situation, the tax structure and the fact that investment in the country is welcome and is producing a good return for overseas investors.

     

    Q3. Mr. Denham : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 17 February.

    The Prime Minister : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave some moments ago.

    Mr. Denham : The Prime Minister is paid £78,292. Is he aware that only people who are paid more than £64,000 a year will have seen their tax bill fall under the Conservatives? Has it ever occurred to the Prime Minister that if people in his position were prepared to pay a little more tax towards funding the national health service, millions of tax losers would not be facing 50p on their prescriptions?

    The Prime Minister : Even the hon. Gentleman should have heard about the vastly increased resources that taxpayers are providing for the national health service. When the hon. Gentleman’s party left office, the expenditure on the national health service was about £8 billion. It is now well over £35 billion. That has come as a result of increased investment in the national health service by a Conservative Government.

    Mr. David Atkinson : Following my right hon. Friend’s successful visit to Moscow earlier in the week, will he assure the House that everything possible is being done to encourage and assist the Russian people to become good democrats and to avoid the fascist, ultra-nationalist policies of Vladimir Zhirinovsky and his party in the forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in Russia in two years’ time?

    The Prime Minister : We have to continue to do all that we can to build the relationship between the western nations and Russia. I reached a series of agreements with President Yeltsin during the visit over the past couple of days that contribute towards that. There is no doubt about the scale of assistance that is going to help Russia deal with its economic problems. I believe that it is right to provide that assistance ; right for Russia, and right for us because it is in our interest to ensure that Russia remains, not only in the short term, but permanently, a good neighbour to the democratic nations of western Europe.

     

    Q4. Mr. Salmond : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 17 February.

    The Prime Minister : I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave some moments ago.

    Mr. Salmond : Does the Prime Minister recall the bit in the taking stock initiative about the Union being a partnership? If so, is he aware that British Gas has announced the locations of the headquarters of its five new business units? None is going to Wales and none to Scotland, which supplies the bulk of the gas; all five are going to England. Is the Prime Minister prepared to condemn the unequal distribution of headquarters units by a so-called British company–or is that something else which is not a matter for him?

    The Prime Minister : I shall no more condemn that individual action than I would wish to condemn the actions of many companies that have specifically decided to invest in Scotland over the past decade, to such an extent that Scotland now receives more inward investment, and has made greater changes in its quality of life over the past decade, than in any previous decade.

  • Foreign Secretary’s Doorstep Interview in London – 17 February 1994

    Below is the text of the Foreign Secretary’s, Douglas Hurd, doorstep interview in London on Thursday 17th February 1994.

    INTERVIEWER:

    When the Russian President outlined his plans to send Mr Cherkin on his mission to the Serbs, the British Prime Minister urged him on, tonight Ministers were greeting the result as an excellent development.

    FOREIGN SECRETARY:

    This fits in admirably it seems to me with the NATO initiative, they fit well together and if this works out on the ground there is now a much better chance than before of avoiding air strikes because the heavy weapons will have been withdrawn or controlled.

  • Mr Major’s Doorstep Interview on Bosnia – 17 February 1994

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s doorstep interview on Bosnia, held on Thursday 17th February 1994.

    QUESTION:

    [Mr Major was asked for his reaction to the news from Bosnia].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I had the opportunity of discussing the Russian influence over the Serbs the other day with President Yeltsin, I do welcome this involvement, they have very considerable influence over the Serbs, I very much hope they are going to use their influence, it seems that they are, it seems they may be willing to put some troops in there as well, I think that is good news.

  • PMQT Written Answers – 17 February 1994

    Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 17th February 1994.

    PRIME MINISTER:

     

    Parliamentary Questions

    Mr. Bermingham : To ask the Prime Minister what is Her Majesty’s Government’s policy on providing in full the information sought by hon. Members in parliamentary questions.

    The Prime Minister : Except for matters which are confidential or on which successive Governments have refused to answer questions upon grounds of public policy, or when a reply is not given on grounds of disproportionate cost, answers should give the information sought and should be accurate and truthful and not misleading.

     

    Ministerial Functions (Wales)

    Mr. Wigley : To ask the Prime Minister if he will transfer the functions of the Home Secretary in Wales to the Secretary of State for Wales.

    The Prime Minister : I have no plans to do so.

    Mr. Wigley : To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a list of all functions of Government whose administration in respect of Wales is vested in Ministers other than the Secretary of State for Wales ; which Minister is responsible in each case; and what total amount of public spending is attributable to each of those functions in Wales.

    The Prime Minister : The responsibilities of each Minister of the Government are set out in the list of “Ministerial Responsibilities”, of which all Members have a copy. Where responsibility for matters in Wales does not lie with the Secretary of State for Wales, Ministers in charge of other Departments exercise their responsibilities in respect of England and Wales, or the United Kingdom, as appropriate.

     

    Engagements

    Mr. Harry Greenway : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 17 February.

    Sir Peter Tapsell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Thursday 17 February.

    The Prime Minister : This morning I presided at a meeting of the Cabinet and had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.

     

    Russia

    Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his recent visit to Russia.

    The Prime Minister : I visited Russia from 14 to 16 February as part of the regular practice of bilateral summits established by the partnership treaty which President Yeltsin and I signed in 1992. The Foreign Secretary accompanied me.

    In Moscow I had talks with President Yeltsin and Prime Minister Chernomyrdin, and met a number of other Ministers, including Foreign Minister Kozyrev and Defence Minister Grachev. I talked to a cross-section of the newly elected parliamentarians. I also met British and Russian business men. I visited the city of Nizhny Novgorod, and announced new know-how fund projects.

    President Yeltsin and I signed an agreement on the detargeting of nuclear missiles. We also agreed to hold military exercises, focused on peace- keeping, in the United Kingdom and Russia. My right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and the Russian Foreign Minister signed agreements on double taxation and on cultural exchanges.

    President Yeltsin and I agreed that we should build on the partnership between our two countries which is now based on shared democratic values. President Yeltsin has accepted my invitation to visit the United Kingdom this year. I have separately invited Prime Minister Chernomyrdin. I shall be recommending to Her Majesty the Queen that she should take up President Yeltsin’s invitation to visit Russia.

    An important purpose of my visit was to give practical and political support to reform. President Yeltsin and Prime Minister Chernomyrdin assured me that economic reform would continue. But they did not underestimate the scale of the task which they face. It was clear that difficult decisions lie ahead.

    I discussed a range of international issues with President Yeltsin, including Bosnia. These discussions underlined how important it is to maintain a close political dialogue with Russia. I told President Yeltsin that I would support closer political consultation between the Group of Seven and Russia.

  • Mr Major’s Speech in Nizhniy Novgorod – 16 February 1994

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s speech made in Nizhniy Novgorod on Wednesday 16th February 1994.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Thank you very much for your welcome which I very much appreciate. If I may speak for British business we are very keen to expand both our trade and our investment links with Russia in general and of course with Nizhniy.

    It is an important part of our Ambassador’s job, and here he is, to make sure that we increase our trade and investment and where appropriate our Embassy will always be happy to help.

    Let me talk of some other concrete matters. In order to encourage trade from the United Kingdom to Russia we have established very large amounts of export insurance available for British companies.

    We have no barriers at home in the UK against Russian trade. The trade between our two countries has been growing very rapidly over the last two years, indeed your Prime Minister mentioned to me in our discussion yesterday that we were now the third largest trading partner in Russia.

    The best way to encourage trade is between the two private sectors, the private sector in the United Kingdom and the private sector in Russia and I shall certainly advise the private sector in the United Kingdom to look at the opportunities in Russia and the prospects for greater trade. I have no doubt that trade can be dramatically increased and I look forward to it happening.

    There is also the question of investment in Russia by British companies. I believe there is a growing interest in such investment and that interest will undoubtedly become greater as the reform process becomes more established.

    So in summary I believe the trade and investment will grow and speaking for the British side we will do all we can to encourage this.

    QUESTION:

    [Not interpreted].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I think that is a very important question and a very good one.

    Let me set out what I think the foreign investor would wish to see to maximise the chances of investment in Russia. There are several things that will concern them particularly. Politically they will want to be certain that the reform process will continue. Economically they will want to be certain that action is being taken to restrain the level of inflation. They will be looking for some reasonable assurances over the broad level of taxation to be certain that it will not change dramatically. They will be looking for an efficient handling of bureaucracy in all its aspects and they will be looking as far as possible to be certain that they are operating in a climate that is moving increasingly towards free enterprise.

    Many of the things they would have wanted have already been brought about, they will be pleased about the political and economic advances that have been made, they will have been pleased by the liberalisation in [indistinct] they will have been pleased by the convertibility of the Rouble. So a great deal has been done that will encourage and reassure the external investor. But they will be even more reassured if the other matters I have mentioned progress. And it is probable that the volume and amount of their investment will reflect the further changes that are made and there is certainly a great potential out there, not just in Britain but right the way across Western Europe and North America, there is a great potential for further investment.

    The list I have given is not an inclusive list but it touches upon the most important points and I believe these points are increasingly understood by decision makers in Russia.

    QUESTION:

    [Not interpreted].

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I could with a little notice, I mentioned some of the areas of assistance, I did not mention all of them and some of the initiatives are specifically for Nizhniy and others cover other areas but will also help Nizhniy. But to give you an illustration: the technical assistance centre that I mentioned a few moments ago that we propose to establish, that costs something in excess of 4 million pounds sterling. I am not sure how many roubles that is today. The secondary market project, that costs around 4.5 million pounds sterling. But British support for Russia as a whole is running at the moment at something over the equivalent of over 1 billion dollars, that sum is partly bilaterally and it is partly our share of resources from the European Community, we pay it to the Community and they collectively pass it on. That is a broad illustration.

  • Mr Major’s Speech in Nizhniy Novgorod – 16 February 1994

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s speech, made in Nizhniy Novgorod in Russia on Wednesday 16th February 1994.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Mr Governor, Ladies and Gentlemen. May I say firstly how delighted I am to be here today. The very fact that I am here addressing an audience of Russian businessmen shows very clearly just how far economic reform has come, just a few years ago such a meeting would have been wholly unthinkable.

    Of course trade is nothing new for Nizhniy Novgorod, as this magnificent trade fair building testifies, and today once again Nizhniy is at the forefront of trade within Russia. You are leading the way in pioneering the new economy and you have some impressive examples of economic reform at work. What Nizhniy does today all Russia may do tomorrow. I believe that Governor Nemtsov and his colleagues are right to be proud of their achievements here in Nizhniy.

    From what I have seen here already, albeit in a very short visit, I know that I do not have to convince the businessmen of Nizhniy of the benefits of a swift move to a functioning free market economy. Here you know that it will give you the freedom to earn fair rewards for your work, but there are others who need to be persuaded.

    The move to a market economy is complex, it is difficult and it does involve temporary hardship for many people, I do not believe anyone should deny that, and that is why explaining the benefits of the free market is not always easy. Explanations do not put food on the family table but I believe that earning a fair wage for a real job will. You, the new entrepreneurs, must help convince the doubters by your own individual success, it is your skills that will enable the country to use its vast potential in human and natural resources. It is your understanding of the market that will help attract inward investment, it is your success that will benefit yourselves and the Russian people as a whole with new products and with new markets.

    We in the West support you and will continue to do so. And one way we can help is the British Know How Fund mentioned a few moments ago by the Governor. There are already a number of successful Know How Fund projects under way in Nizhniy Novgorod, projects to help train your bankers, to help privatise road haulage and to help privatise farms.

    But putting companies in private ownership by itself is not enough, we need them to work together to sustain these new enterprises and to make the most of new opportunities, and to help with this I have in a moment some new initiatives to announce.

    Let me mention some of the initiatives. First, we propose to establish a technical assistance centre through which to channel assistance and help enterprise reorganise on free market lines, it will be set up by British consultants working with Russian personnel and it will also help to attract new investment to the region. Second, in partnership with the international finance corporation we have chosen Nizhniy Novgorod as one of four areas where we have decided to help create secondary markets to enable enterprise to raise domestic investment. The scheme will support the training of brokers and dealers and give people the freedom to trade with their shares. Thirdly, we are developing a retaining programme to help people develop new skills in catering, the retail trade and marketing, we intend to give people a better stake in the reform process.

    We have other schemes in mind as well and this kind of support is just part of a wider picture. But another greater part is to ensure that you have the opportunity to trade with the rest of the world and to do so on equal terms. The United Kingdom has long argued for the removal of trade barriers, we shall continue to work to open European and world markets.

    I do under-estimate the difficulties ahead as Russia reform, but neither do I under-estimate Russia’s potential and the skills and enterprise of the Russian people. I am as keen as you to see that potential realised, realising that potential is in all our interests, it is why Russia looks outwards for opportunity, investment and partnership.

    I believe that is is in everyone’s interest that the West responds positively and helps Russia at this moment. It is in your interest that reform succeeds and it is in the West’s interest that reform succeeds.

    I am delighted therefore to be here today and to play a small part in building that partnership between Russia and the West. Thank you for your hospitality.

  • Mr Major’s Doorstep Interview in Moscow – 16 February 1994

    Below is Mr Major’s doorstep interview in Moscow on Wednesday 16th February 1994.

    QUESTION:

    Prime Minister, what can you tell us about the likelihood of this Royal Visit by The Queen?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We have been considering for some time the possibility of The Queen visiting Russia, Her Majesty is keen to do it, I believe it is a very good idea. The Russians have now had democratic elections, they have got a democratically elected President, it now seems an appropriate time to proceed with it. It may happen as early as this autumn but final details are not yet arranged.

    QUESTION:

    What do you hope to achieve by this visit of The Queen?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    The relationship between the United Kingdom and Russia has been getting closer over some time, I think that will set the seal on the much closer relationship we now have.

    QUESTION:

    Is it the first visit since the death of the Romanovs?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    So far as I am aware it is the first visit for a very long time, it may even be the first visit ever.

    QUESTION:

    It is quite clear that Mr Yeltsin very much wants this visit, it gives him I suppose a sort of respectability in everyone’s eyes?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I discussed this matter with Mr Yeltsin some time ago, we discussed it again yesterday, there were some more discussions overnight with London and I was able to confirm to him this morning that the visit was on. But we as yet have to agree dates.

    QUESTION:

    Will she be seeing a bit more than just Moscow, a very extensive tour?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    We are looking at the programme now, that is not yet clear how much she will see but I would think certainly more than Moscow.

    QUESTION:

    Have you had a reaction from The Queen?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I have discussed this with Her Majesty in the past, she is keen to make this visit.

    QUESTION:

    What does she hope to get out of the visit herself?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    I think The Queen is very keen to visit Russia and see Russia, The Queen is one of the finest Ambassadors the United Kingdom has ever had. I think from that point of view it is highly desirable that she should visit Russia and she is very keen to see it herself.

  • Mr Major’s Joint Press Conference in Moscow – 15 February 1994

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s joint press conference with President Yeltsin, held in Moscow on 15th February 1994.

    QUESTION:

    We were expecting a joint statement on Bosnia?

    MR YELTSIN:

    No, we were not intending to sign a joint statement on Bosnia today, but of course in the tete a tete meeting and in the plenary we certainly discussed it. I must say that in general our positions come very close, they overlap, especially on the handover of heavy weapons around Sarajevo to the United Nations’ forces; and secondly, on the need for negotiations between the Serbs and the Bosnians around the negotiating table to resolve things peacefully and to stop the war in Bosnia. These are our two main concerns, these are the main things on which we agree.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Let me respond to the same question which otherwise I was about to be asked I think over here. The President and I did not plan a joint statement, we certainly spent some time discussing the matter this morning, as did the Foreign Secretary and Mr Kozyrev, clearly it is an extremely important matter. I think there are a large range of areas, as the President has just said, where our policy is entirely identical in terms of seeking a solution to the present conflict in Bosnia. We both agree it has to be a negotiated peace, there is no prospect of there being a military victory, that is not remotely the way ahead. We both entirely support the approach of Dr Owen and Mr Stoltenberg, we see that as the way ahead towards a satisfactory political settlement. Clearly it is important that the United States, that Russia and that all the members of the European Union are involved and use their influence on each of the combatants to try and ensure there is a satisfactory settlement. We think the opportunity does exist to accelerate progress. As the President has said, it is necessary to bring the heavy weapons in Sarajevo under UN control. At the moment with General Rose in command on the ground that is increasingly happening, the heavy weapons are coming under control and that we hope is going to continue over the next few days.

    There is certainly a need for speedy implementation there, happily it seems to be proceeding.

    There is, we think, a real chance of peace starting in Sarajevo, we have seen that develop over the last few days, we need to take that chance, we need to ensure that Russia, the United States and the European Union continue to work together to reach that satisfactory and negotiated settlement.

    I think in some areas there has been some misunderstanding about the NATO decision. Britain was part of the NATO decision and supported the NATO decision, it is a decision that is even handed between the combatants, it is limited to the particular problem of Sarajevo and it is initiated at the request of the Secretary General. Clearly we wish to see a settlement there as speedily as possible and upon the fundamentals of the necessity for a negotiated permanent satisfactory settlement there is no dispute between any of the main players as to the way in which we proceed to get this satisfactory settlement in Bosnia as a whole and around Sarajevo and we spent some time agreeing these main points again this morning.

    MR YELTSIN:

    I would like to add one substantial detail. Some people are trying to resolve the issue on Bosnia without the participation of Russia. That will not succeed, we will not allow that. Russia will take part actively in talks to bring a peaceful solution to the bloody events in Bosnia. I am very glad that Mr Major supports our view on that.

    QUESTION:

    Could I be clear, are you both agreed that if there were to be the need for air strikes, those could take place without further reference back to the UN Security Council?

    PRIME MINISTER:

    The position is as I set it out a moment or so ago. NATO agreed some time ago, we hope of course that the heavy weapons will be brought under control, that seems to be the position at the moment, increasingly that is the case, we hope they can be brought fully under control, we will see whether or not they can. But before any air strikes proceed on this very limited front, as agreed by NATO, there would need to be reference back under previous agreed Security Council resolutions to the Secretary General.

    MR YELTSIN:

    That is being discussed in the UN Security Council at this very moment. The most important thing is to give a mandate to the UN forces so that all heavy weapons around Sarajevo should be handed over. Beyond that, the UN Charter comes into play, if someone attacks UN forces they have to be punished.

    QUESTION:

    What progress has been achieved on the bilateral relationship?

    MR YELTSIN:

    We discussed a wide range of questions with the Prime Minister: the situation in the United Kingdom, the situation in Russia, bilateral relations, international questions and hot spots around the world. In discussing our bilateral relations both of us came to the conclusion that these were the best relations our two countries had had for several decades, the best relations are now. All the agreements that were achieved and all that were signed during my visit to the UK are now being implemented. The UK is seriously supporting the process of reform in Russia in practical terms, not just political but economic. We have had talks this morning, the talks will continue, the Prime Minister will talk this afternoon to the Representative of the government, Mr Chernomyrdin. In any case, in some areas progress is visible and it will grow. For example, the Know How Fund which the UK founded and which is now working, it will see further progress as the Prime Minister will no doubt be saying on Russian television this afternoon.

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Can I just add to that answer because I think the question was directed, I believe, at both of us. As the President has just said very clearly the relations that exist bilaterally between the United Kingdom and Russia are better today than at any time either of us can recall, that is true on a trade level, it is true on a political level, it is true in terms of military cooperation. We have discussed a range of things this morning, we have discussed the expansion of trade and economic relations, I will pursue those discussions further with Mr Chernomyrdin this afternoon.

    I shall be making announcements over the next couple of days on specific projects within the Know How Fund which will be of particular help. We have also agreed this morning that we will de-target nuclear weapons, one upon the other, and we have agreed further on joint military exercises between Britain and Russia to take place in 1995, we have agreed we will start in 1995, details will be agreed between our military advisers but we anticipate joint military exercises both in Russia and in the United Kingdom.

    This is a degree of cooperation on a practical level that we have not seen at any stage in the last 50 years. I also took the opportunity this morning of inviting the President to return again to the United Kingdom for a visit and he has agreed to do so and we will be seeking dates in the near future. We have agreed on double taxation agreements, cultural agreements.

    So there is across a wide range, economic, social, political, a much closer, much more effective and a better relationship than either of us can ever remember at any stage in the relations between Britain and Russia for very many years.

    MR YELTSIN:

    I would just like to add two words to that, to compare the dynamics of my visit to the UK and the return visit now, one example, today we have signed a detargeting agreement on the detargeting of strategic nuclear weapons against each other.

    When this was mentioned on my visit it was taken as a hypothetical question, for generations, perhaps even centuries ahead. But now it is a reality, today we see the reality and the reality is that two leaders have for the first time signed an agreement detargeting the strategic nuclear weapons aimed against each other.