§ 5. Mr. Englishasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received any indications from the Israeli and Syrian Governments and the Palestine Liberation Organisation leadership that they have agreed to withdraw their forces from Lebanon under appropriate guarantees and that their withdrawal would be peaceful.
§ Mr. PymThe Israeli and Syrian Governments and the Palestine Liberation Organisation have all indicated their readiness in principle to withdraw their forces from Lebanon. However, all have set conditions which have so far prevented the progress so urgently needed. We fully support United States efforts to secure a peaceful withdrawal of these forces from Lebanon as soon as possible.
§ Mr. EnglishWhat action is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office taking?
§ Mr. PymI am supporting the United States. I am representing our views to that country and also to the European Community. The Ten have acted on behalf of all members, including ourselves. We have made direct representations. We are in close touch with the Lebanon Government. We are taking all the steps of which we can think.
§ Mr. WaltersHas my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to a statement by Israeli Foreign Minister Shamir that occupied Arab territory cannot be described as either occupied or conquered because it is part of Israel? What steps does he intend to take in response to that?
§ Mr. PymThe Government have made strong representations direct to Israel, as have the Ten. I raised the matter during my recent visit to the United States. One of the conditions that must be fulfilled if the peace-making process is to begin is that Israel must change its policy on the Reagan plan. We are doing our best to persuade Israel to do that.
§ Mr. HealeyWhat is the right hon. Gentleman asking the United States Administration to do?
§ Mr. PymThe United States has the greatest influence with Israel. It is necessary for the Israeli Government to change their attitude in certain respects—such as withdrawal from the Lebanon, accepting the principle of sitting around a table to negotiate on the basis of the Reagan plan, and their policy on the West Bank.
The Arabs should come forward with a proposition that makes the possibility of peace negotiations realistic. We hope that during the next few weeks King Hussein and others will come forward with such a proposition. However, there need to be changes in the Israeli position also.
§ Mr. HealeyBut what is the Foreign Secretary asking the United States to do to secure the results that most of us on both sides of the House want?
§ Mr. PymWe are asking the United States to use its full weight and influence to cause Israel to change its policy. Exactly how it does that is a matter for the United States. We have made direct representations to Israel.