§ 5. Mr. Lennox-Boydasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether discussions took place with the United States Administration during the visit of the Prime Minister to the United States of America on the possibility of British Armed Forces participating in a peacekeeping force in the Lebanon.
§ Mr. HurdDuring her visit to the United States my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed the situation in Lebanon with the United States Administration and a possible peacekeeping force was mentioned. This possibility is still being discussed by those immediately concerned in the negotiations, but I understand that no conclusions have yet been reached. We have had no request for British participation in such a force.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the American proposal to evacuate the PLO from Beirut requires the consent not only of the PLO and the two Governments most directly concerned, but of the Governments of the countries to which the PLO and their families are to be taken, which may be rather harder to achieve? Does he accept that this initiative must not be confused with the proposal to have a peacekeeping force in the Lebanon, which is distinct from it and likely to be an even more hazardous enterprise?
§ Mr. HurdMy hon. Friend is right in what he said in the second part of his supplementary question. There are various proposals, but one of the difficulties, as he said, is that many parties have to give their consent to any one proposal before it can be effective. That is what Mr. Habib is trying to achieve. We support him in what is a difficult task.
§ Mr. Ernie RossDoes the Minister agree that one of the difficulties facing the Palestinian Liberation Organisation in considering seriously the American offer to participate in the peacekeeping force is that the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples have been bombed and shelled by the Israelis with weapons that were supplied to 278 them by the Americans? The Palestinians might feel more inclined to consider seriously the American offer if the Americans were immediately to exert more discipline on the Israelis to ensure a ceasefire consistent with the words of the United States President.
§ Mr. HurdThe Americans have been doing their best to prevent further fighting and killing in Beirut and its suburbs. The PLO is well aware of that. I hope that the PLO and all concerned will make an effort to make an arrangement which could bring the killing to an end.
§ Mr. StokesDoes my right hon. Friend remember that Britain burnt its fingers badly over Palestine 40 years ago? Much as we all sympathise with the dreadful suffering in Lebanon now, will he ensure that the Government think carefully before sending any British forces there?
§ Mr. MoyleIs the Minister aware that peacekeeping in Southern Lebanon will be a different process from peacekeeping in Sinai and that, therefore, if any British forces are committed, it must be with clear political authority and guidelines, and that the United Nations is probably the only organisation capable of that? Is the Minister further aware that there would be a need to strengthen the authority of the United Nations peacekeeping force, since no hon. Member would want any British Army, in whatever form, to be treated with the contemptuousness with which the Israeli army treated UNIFIL a month ago?
§ Mr. HurdAn international force would have to depend on a clear mandate from the Security Council, which would be difficult to achieve, or on a clear request from the Lebanese Government as the legitimate Government of the territory. Neither is immediately in prospect.