Middle East

HC Deb 29 October 1975 vol 898 cc1569-70

6. Mr. Aitken

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an official visit to Syria.

Mr. Ennals

My right hon. Friend has at present no plans to do so, but I shall be paying an official visit to the Middle East, including Syria, in early November.

Mr. Aitken

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Syria and many other countries in that area are particularly disturbed about the proposed American sale to Israel of the Pershing missile? Is he aware that this missile is designed only for use with nuclear warheads, and that this escalation of the Middle East arms race could have profound and catastrophic consequences for the whole world? Will the Government do their best to get this piece of American diplomacy changed?

Mr. Ennals

The two sides of the House would be deeply concerned if nuclear weapons fell into the hands of any countries in the Middle East. Her Majesty's Government would certainly condemn any such acquisition. As for the Pershing missile, we should await the outcome of the Israeli request before commenting.

Mr. Hooley

What diplomatic steps are now contemplated, in concert with Western European countries, the United States, or both, to secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Golan area as a follow-up to the Sinai agreement?

Mr. Ennals

My hon. Friend will know that when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State spoke at the United Nations General Assembly he not only welcomed the Egypt-Israel agreement as a step towards an overall settlement but emphasised the importance of an early development in Golan to reduce tensions in the area, to be followed by negotiations on the central problem of the Palestinians and the West Bank. This is an issue with which Dr. Kissinger is deeply concerned. I am certain both sides of the House wish to see progress on it.

Mr. Walters

As the Syrian Government have for some time shown a desire to improve relations with Western Europe, including this country, and as there are very great possibilities for trade with Syria, apart from the political implications, has the right hon. Gentleman any concrete proposals to put forward when he goes to that country?

Mr. Ennals

It would not be proper to indicate at this moment the agenda for discussions that I shall be having with Ministers in Syria, although I agree that there are important opportunities for improving and expanding our political and economic relationships, and these will be very high on the agenda for our talks.