Middle East (Hansard, 17 November 1976)

§ 7. Mr. Walters
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives Her Majesty's Government intend to take regarding the situation in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement.

§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Dr. David Owen)
We hope that new negotiations for a Middle East peace will soon be launched, but it would be premature for us to consider an initiative before the new United States Administration has clarified its position.

§ Mr. Walters
Bearing in mind that Dr. Kissinger's step-by-step initiatives collapsed quite a long time ago, as he himself has now admitted, and that the transfer to a new Administration is continuing to paralyse American policy, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it is time for a much more vigorous European involvement? Will the British Government, with France, try to take the lead in formulating a new policy in the Middle East?

§ Dr. Owen
The Middle East is discussed at regular intervals with the rest of the Nine, which constitute a useful forum for trying to co-ordinate policy. I think that the same objections apply to initiatives by the Nine as to an individual initiative from this country. Until there is a new Administration in office, although United States foreign policy is not paralysed it is not a good time for a new initiative.

§ Mr. Cronin
Does my right hon. Friend agree that at present there is some evidence of an increasing and closer relationship between the United States Government and Egypt, which is considerably to the detriment of British economic interests?

§ Dr. Owen
There is undoubtedly a closer relationship than there has been in 1315 the past between the United States and Egypt, but that goes for the United Kingdom and Egypt. One of the important and hopeful signs for the whole of the Middle East is that good contacts are being pursued by all the parties outside the region. That means that they will have more influence on the parties to the dispute when it comes to a discussion, but essentially the will for a settlement must come from the parties to the dispute.

§ Mr. Nelson
What is the latest news that the right hon. Gentleman has received from Amman on the armed attack that is reported to have taken place on the Intercontinental Hotel this morning? Will he take this opportunity of reaffirming Her Majesty's Government's support for King Hussein and, indeed, for the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom?

§ Dr. Owen
I take this opportunity of reaffirming our support for the King and for the Government of the Jordanians. My only information on this matter was obtained earlier this morning. At that time, I gather, there were no British casualties involved, although some British citizens are in the hotel. I shall let any Member know of any new events that may transpire. At the moment there is no apparent risk to British life.

§ Mr. Faulds
Will my right hon. Friend accept the warm welcome that we gave to the Foreign Secretary's recent statement on the rights of the Palestinians? Will he extend his views to an acceptance of the need to create and recognise Palestinian sovereignty in their own territory?

§ Dr. Owen
I am grateful for my hon. Friend's comments on my right hon. Friend's speech. My right hon. Friend thought is was premature at this stage to lay down a constitutional blueprint. That was why he phrased his speech to the United Nations in the way that he did. I do not think it is right to go any further than the words he used at that time.