HL Deb 24 April 1989 vol 506 cc1057-8

2.48 p.m.

Lord Molloy asked Her Majesty's Government:

What further steps they are taking in conjunction with the European Communities and the United Nations to hold an international conference to reduce tension between Israel and the Palestinians.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Glenarthur)

My Lords, we and our European partners continue our efforts to bring about an international conference, which we believe remains the most suitable framework for negotiations between the parties.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the daily habitual maiming and slaying of Palestinian youths causes as much grave concern to the Israeli people as it obviously does to the Palestinians? Is it not terrible to have to say that the world's international organisations can do nothing to stop the appalling slaughter that is going on in Israel and the occupied territories?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, yes. I agree entirely with the noble Lord that the violence is terrible and that we want to see it brought to an end. That is why we believe that it is important to encourage all those concerned to bring about an international conference by any method that they can, and why the role of the European Community and the United States is important.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, is there not a strong body of opinion in favour of convening an international conference, as the noble Lord said, including the European Community, the Soviet Union and the United States, as indicated in a recent favourable reaction from President Bush? In those circumstances, can the Minister say what is the obstacle in the way of moving towards an international conference?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I think that the noble Lord might best address that question to the Israelis. The fact is that the search for peace deserves the active support of all Israelis. I hope they will accept that an international conference presents an opportunity and is not a trap. The Israelis cannot deny to the Palestinians rights that they themselves earned at such great cost.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, is the noble Lord saying that the situation is perceived as having come to a stalemate position because of that? Cannot Her Majesty's Government, with our friends and allies, take some initiative through the United Nations to bring about an international conference that would bring this deplorable and sad situation to an end?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I do not agree as regards the noble Lord's statement that a stalemate has been reached. We are certainly ready for discussions within the Five, if the others agree. The noble Lord was quite right to point to the importance of the United States lead in this and the recent statement made by President Bush following the visit of Mr. Mubarak to Washington.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, is the Minister not aware that since the idea of an international conference was agreed upon by everyone except Israel, 520 Palestinian youths have been slain? Surely that cannot go on. Should not our Government, who have played a very distinctive role, apply more pressure to the United States, which has the key to the solution in its hands? The endeavours of Sir Geoffrey Howe should be acknowledged by the United States of America in an effort to stop the killing of innocent people, which, as I have said, is deplored just as much in Israel as among the Palestinians.

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, we deplore violence wherever it takes place, as I have said. The fact that through the remarks made by President Bush recently the United States is encourging discussions is all to the good. As I have said, we are ready for discussions in the Five, which seems a sensible place to take the matter forward, if the others will agree to discussions.