HC Deb 10 February 1969 vol 777 cc873-6
25. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his discussions with the Russian Ambassador regarding the Middle East.

Mr. Mulley

My right hon. Friend the Minister of State has just visited the United Arab Republic, the Sudan and Morocco. His visit has not been discussed with the Soviet Ambassador.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Could the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether, during his right hon. Friend's discussions with the Russian Ambassador in January, the Russian Ambassador argued that the Government of Israel should withdraw from the occupied territories in the Middle East? Can he also tell us whether the Foreign Secretary suggested to the Russian Government that that was a matter for the Government which had itself withdrawn from occupation of Czechoslovakia?

Mr. Mulley

As the House knows, the Soviet Ambassador called on my right hon. Friend on 2nd January and made a communication about the Middle East. Later in the month my right hon. Friend gave our reply to the charge d'affaires. Many of the Russian proposals are constructive and we asked for clarification on a number of issues, but it would be wrong in this diplomatic exchange between Governments for the full content of them to be published without the consent of the other party.

Mr. Shinwell

My right hon. Friend has referred to the Minister's visit to the Middle East. But his right hon. Friend the Minister of State only visited the Arab countries. Why did his visit exclude Israel? How is it possible for the Government to make up their mind about a solution of the Middle East problem if Ministers direct their attention only to the Arab countries and avoid Israel?

Mr. Mulley

As has been explained in answer to Questions, my right hon. Friend's visit was planned a long time ago. It was not in the context of the current four-Power talks. It was in order to give him first-hand acquaintance with some of the countries for which he is responsible in the Department. On the question of visits to Israel, as was said last week, this is under consideration but there are no plans at present.

38. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in the Middle East.

Mr. Foley

All concerned have now replied to the proposal of the French Government that a meeting of the representatives on the Security Council of the United States, the Soviet Union, France and the United Kingdom should be held to discuss ways and means of achieving a settlement in the Middle East. We expect that preliminary discussions to prepare the ground for such a meeting, in the first instance on a bilateral basis, will shortly begin.

Mr. Shinwell

Does my hon. Friend regard that as a statement? Are we to understand that the Government have no definite policy about the Middle East and how to solve the problem between the Israelis and the Arab States? Or are they waiting until the American cat jumps? Is my hon. Friend aware that the conditions stated by the Soviet Union will not be acceptable to either the Government or the people of Israel?

Mr. Foley

I can understand my right hon. Friend's impatience; indeed, his indignation. I would have thought that what I have said and what is happening represent a considerable step forward from the previous impasse. However, it would be unhelpful for us at this stage to comment on the lines of a settlement or on specific questions of substance.

Mr. Mayhew

Is the Under-Secretary aware that there are still a number of Arab leaders who are hoping and working for a political settlement along the lines of the Security Council resolution but that their position is being made rapidly impossible by the failure to make progress on the resolution, and, in particular, by the insistence of the Israeli Government on permanently incorporating large areas of conquered Arab territory?

Mr. Shinwell

What nonsense!

Mr. Mayhew

Will he try to reach agreement with the four Powers, first on a timetable for implementing the resolution—

Mr. Shinwell

My hon. Friend should be ashamed of himself.

Mr. Mayhew

—and thereafter perhaps on agreement to withdraw arms supplies from any countries which decline to carry out that timetable?

Mr. Foley

I should emphasise that the policy of Her Majesty's Government is that there cannot be a settlement without agreement among the parties. The object of the four Powers meeting is to seek ways and means of furthering the work of Dr. Jarring to isolate and define the areas of agreement and disagreement, and to proceed in this fashion.

Mr. Philip Noel-Baker

Can my hon. Friend assure us that the Secretary of State himself will go to these very important meetings?

Mr. Foley

I cannot give that assurance.

Mr. John Mendelson

Will my hon. Friend accept that there will be wide- spread support for the insistence by the Government and by the United States Government that these four-Power discussions should be carried on under the aegis of the United Nations? Will he further accept that there is confidence that the Government will see to it that the security interests of all Middle-Eastern States will be fully safeguarded?

Mr. Crawshaw

Would not my hon. Friend agree that some of the heat might be taken out of the situation in the Middle East if when aggression were committed by either side we showed equal concern, not just when it happened to be Israel attacking Arab countries?

Mr. Foley

We are always concerned about anything which is harmful to the cause of peace and we equally condemn anyone who takes such initiatives.

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