HL Deb 04 November 1993 vol 549 cc1159-60

3.22 p.m.

Lord Molloy asked Her Majesty's Government: What progress has been made in extending to Syria the recent peace agreement between Israel and the PLO.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)

My Lords, during his recent visit to Syria on 22nd-24th October my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary emphasised to President Assad and Foreign Minister Shara'a the importance we attach to early progress in the negotiations between Israel and Syria if there is to be comprehensive and lasting peace in the region.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that reply. I take the opportunity too to thank the Foreign Secretary for his very commendable endeavours. Does the Minister agree that unless Israel and the Syrians can agree on the Golan Heights, the tremendous endeavours of Israel and the PLO and their initiative will not by itself achieve peace in the Middle East? Therefore, does she agree that it is vital that the British Foreign Secretary's suggestions should be followed up and supported by the United Nations?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Molloy. The original agreement between Israel and the PLO is now being followed up by an Israeli-Jordanian agreement on an agenda for talks. We hope that these agreements will act as a catalyst for negotiations with Syria and the Lebanon.

Baroness Blackstone

My Lords, in view of the clear statement made by the Foreign Secretary in another place earlier this week that there will not be a comprehensive peace until there are agreements between Israel and Syria, Israel and Jordan and Israel and the Lebanon, and in view of the United Kingdom Government's wish to do their utmost to keep the peace process on the move, can the Minister tell the House what practical steps the Government will be taking to achieve that aim?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, we shall continue to do all that we can, quietly in the background, pushing and pressing as appropriate, to ensure that a lasting and comprehensive settlement is achieved. As the noble Baroness, Lady Seear, said on the last occasion we discussed this subject, much of the discussion is best done in private. In that way we have succeeded with Israel and the PLO.

Baroness Blackstone

My Lords, I am sorry to press the Minister. Does her last remark mean that she disagrees with her right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary who said in another place earlier this week that the Government wished to take a more visible role in the matter?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

No, my Lords, I do not disagree with my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary, but I do disagree with some of the noble Baroness's questioning. On these very delicate matters it is not always conducive to progress to say at each stage what is going on. We shall make progress where we can, and where we can help—such as our £6 million worth of bilateral aid and our further £6 million through the EC—we shall certainly make that help visible.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, no doubt the noble Baroness is aware of the real danger being created by Syrian fundamentalists in trying to delay progress. Does she agree that it might help if we can encourage a meeting between Mr. Rabin and Mr. Assad? Would not that kind of summit help to follow up what the Israelis and the PLO have already begun in trying to achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I certainly agree with the noble Lord, Lord Molloy, that by having discussions not only with President Assad but with all others in the region, we shall have a better chance of making progress. We shall do all we can to that end both visibly and behind the scenes.