HL Deb 03 February 1994 vol 551 cc1374-5

3.17 p.m.

Lord Molloy asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made in securing the agreement of Syria to the Israeli-Palestinian peace initiative.

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

My Lords, President Clinton and President Assad met on 16th January. We hope that that will give new impetus to the negotiations between Israel and Syria which resumed in Washington on 24th January. Syria made it clear on 10th January that it considers the Israeli-PLO declaration of principles a first step towards a just and comprehensive peace.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. Does she agree that the great peace process initiated by Israel and the PLO is now being stalled by Syria and Lebanon? Despite the 26–year occupation, the Golanese will not accept Israeli citizenship. Will she acknowledge also that the United Nations Secretary-General, Boutros Boutros Ghali, should try to bring more pressure to bear in order to reach a successful conclusion? He may wish to use the British Foreign Secretary as an example of how such matters should be tackled. He is inviting people to talk to him to try to find a solution. It is a pity that the United Nations Secretary General does not emulate the endeavours of the British Foreign Secretary.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, I believe that the noble Lord, Lord Molloy, is wrong in that view. I do not think that Syria and Lebanon are trying to stall the discussions. I know that Prime Minister Rabin of Israel said yesterday that it could take weeks. We believe that that is probably a more cautious view of the situation than was given by Foreign Minister Peres. However, it is quite clear that great efforts are being made towards achieving peace.

Baroness Blackstone

My Lords, does the Minister agree that it would be easier to supply the security guarantees that Israel wants on the Golan Heights when Israel ends its occupation of Jericho and Gaza? Can she tell the House what pressures are being put on the Israeli Government to end its occupation?

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, that is all part of the overall discussions. Israel is well aware that it must under the terms of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 withdraw from the territories occupied in 1967. That, of course, includes the Golan Heights. That is why all those interlinking aspects of the problem are taking, as Prime Minister Rabin said, some weeks to resolve.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, is the Minister aware that, while it is argued that the Golan Heights are needed to protect Tel Aviv, it could also threaten Damascus? Does she agree that all the members of the United Nations Security Council must enforce peace or the whole idea of the United Nations will crumble? That is most important. While the British Government and the British Foreign Secretary have shown an example, I believe that we are now entitled—

Noble Lords

Question !

Lord Molloy

Why do not noble Lords wait a little now and again? I know that patience is in very short supply on the Benches opposite.

However, if our Foreign Secretary could go to the United Nations to help to resolve the problem, I am quite sure that he would receive the hearing that he so well deserves.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, we are doing our best. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary was with the Secretary General all day on Monday.

Lord Gisborough

My Lords, can my noble friend the Leader of the House say whether it is in order to read and ask long supplementary questions?

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Wakeham)

My Lords, as I understand it, I believe that reading is probably not in order. However, I was not aware of any reading. I thought that the noble Lord was simply taking a little time to make his point.