CONFERENCE ON THE MIDDLE EAST (Hansard, 27 October 1976)

§ Lord BROCKWAY
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

§ The MINISTER of STATE, FOREIGN and COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (Lord Goronwy-Roberts)
My Lords, we would support any form of negotiation designed to bring to an end the dispute between the Arabs and Israel, including the Geneva Conference, so long as it had the support of all the parties concerned.

§ Lord BROCKWAY
My Lords, I am encouraged by that reply, but may I ask the Minister this question? Since the matter is now before Dr. Waldheim, the United Nations Secretary General, would it not be possible for him to sound the countries which would be involved to find out whether they would accept a conference? In view of the accord between America, the Soviet Union and now Her Majesty's Government, is it not unlikely that any major country would refuse?

§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS
My Lords, may I in my turn also thank my noble friend for his encouraging supplementary question. I have no doubt that Dr. Waldheim, like most intelligent people, closely studies Hansard, especially that of this House.

§ Lord CARRINGTON
My Lords, would not the noble Lord agree that there is no point in having a conference for the sake of having one? Unless the parties are willing, conferences never settle anything?

§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS
My Lords, I entirely agree. It is absolutely necessary that a conference of this nature should be very carefully prepared.

§ Lord BROCKWAY
My Lords, is it not the case, however, that the present situation in the Middle East is more promising for such a conference, since it looks as though there will be a solution to the appalling problem of the Lebanon? Would not Her Majesty's Government be able to contribute a very constructive mediatory role, in view of the fact that America may have a more pro-Israel President while the Soviet Union will remain pro-Arab? Could not Britain act as mediator between the two sides?

§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS
My Lords, under successive Administrations, Britain has always taken an even-handed approach to this very difficult problem and continues to do so. I have no doubt that when the time comes for such a conference we shall be ready with a constructive contribution, though in what role I could not now anticipate. As my noble friend has said, it is encouraging that both the United States and the Soviet Union have expressed similar views as to the possibility of such a conference. I have no doubt that the Soviet Union, as well as our American friends, are well aware that no immediate move is possible so long as there is a slight local pre-occupation across the Atlantic.

Lord PAGET of NORTHAMPTON
My Lords, would the noble Lord agree that in international conferences mediators are effective only when they have the biggest stick?

§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS
No, my Lords, I would not necessarily agree. There are circumstances in which those who have not a direct interest wield the greatest influence in the centre That would not be the case, of course, with Britain. We have a considerable interest in the stability of the Middle East and an 423 historical and worthy role in the development of that part of the world. I take on board the suggestion that at the right time we should make ourselves available in whatever role proves acceptable for a constructive contribution to such a conference.

§ Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONE
My Lords, although it is perhaps of tangential relevance to the Question, has the noble Lord any up to date news to give to the House about the appalling disaster which has overtaken the Lebanon in recent months?

§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS
My Lords, the conference in Riyadh last week yielded some hopeful indications that when the Cairo Summit is convened in the next two or three weeks there may be a move towards the reconstitution of the Lebenan State as an integral independent country. Our own attitude is well known. We wish to see the Lebanon restored as a viable independent State which is not subject to undue influence from any quarter outside it.

§ Lord BLYTON
My Lords, would not the Minister consider that for any conference of this character to be successful Israel and the Arab nations must get closer together than they are now?

§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS
Yes, my Lords; I am very glad to endorse those sentiments. If there were a basis of agreement for friendship between the Arabs and Israel—and it is perfectly possible for this to happen—then that would possibly overtake the need for a conference. Certainly it would be the best possible basis for a conference.

Lord JANNER
My Lords, could my noble friend confirm that Israel has made innumerable attempts to get together with the Arab nations and that it has been turned down?

§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS
My Lords, I am sure that Israel will continue to make such attempts in the great hope that not every one of them will be turned down.

§ Lord SAINSBURY
My Lords, would not my noble friend agree that a distinction 424 must be drawn between Arabs and Palestinians, in that one cannot expect the State of Israel to sit down at a negotiating table with Palestinian leaders who still hold to their tenet and do not recognise the independent sovereignty of Israel?

§ Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS
My Lords, it is essential that the Arab world should recognise Israel as a permanent State and as a very constructive element in the Middle East. It is equally necessary—and this is perhaps additional to Resolution 242 which this country promoted in the United Nations—that due regard be had for the need to recognise the national identity of the Palestinians.