§ 5. Mr. Cyril D. Townsendasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet the Jordanian Foreign Minister; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweWe remain in close touch with the Jordanian Government, but I have no plans at present for a further meeting with the Jordanian Foreign Minister.
§ Mr. TownsendBearing in mind the real risk that King Hussein has taken in trying to get his peace initiative off the ground in the middle east, what action will the British Government take in the new year to get Israel and the United States fully to support that initiative and the concept of exchanging territory for proper peace?
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweMy hon. Friend rightly identifies the principles upon which progress must be built in the Arab-Israel conflict. He is also right to identify the immense value of the constructive efforts of King Hussein over a long time to achieve progress in that direction. We shall continue to give our fullest support to his efforts, with the United States and other countries.
§ Mr. AndersonThe Foreign Secretary will know that last week President Mubarak said that the past six months of the peace process have been wasted, and that trying to solve the problem and at the same time trying to ignore the PLO would never lead to a comprehensive peace? Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman accept that view?
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweSadly, the past six months have not seen as much progress as I personally would have hoped towards a possible solution of the problem. That is why we gave as much support as we could to the efforts of King Hussein during that period. We extended our invitation to the joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation to come here because we have always recognised that the PLO should be associated with negotiations, provided that it renounces violence and is committed to a peaceful settlement along familiar lines.
§ Mr. WaltersIs any progress being made towards an international conference, as proposed by King Hussein? Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that such a conference, involving the Soviet Union, the United States and the parties directly involved, such as the Palestinians, is the best hope of making some progress?
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweI agree that support for initiatives towards a peaceful settlement, from whichever side they come, should be as broadly based as possible. An international conference might well help in that direction. That is why I am glad that Mr. Peres, the Prime Minister of Israel, made clear to the United Nations his understanding of the need for such an international framework. He has that in common with my hon. Friend and King Hussein.