§ 3.1 p.m.
§ Lord Blakerasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to assist progress towards a settlement of the problems between Israel and the Palestinians.
§ Baroness AmosMy Lords, the Government are profoundly concerned at the violence in the Middle East and the terrible humanitarian situation in the occupied territories. We continue to press the Israeli Government to allow full access to humanitarian relief agencies. We support UN Security Council Resolution 125 1405 which calls for a fact-finding mission into events in Jenin. We support continuing US efforts to end the violence and resume political negotiations. We urge Israel and the Palestinian Authority to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1402, which calls for Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian cities, and for both parties to move immediately toward a meaningful ceasefire and work toward a political settlement.
§ Lord BlakerMy Lords, has not the recent brutal behaviour by Israel put at risk the cohesion of the coalition against terrorism and made it more difficult to prevent Saddam Hussein proceeding with his programme for making weapons of mass destruction? Is it not imperative now that steps should be taken to resume some form of peace process? Is it not clear that the best and perhaps only country to initiate such a programme is the United States, using the economic levers which it has against Israel? Will the Government put that point of view to the Government of the United States?
§ Baroness AmosMy Lords, noble Lords will know—we have had a number of discussions in this House on events in the Middle East—that we are in constant contact with our US partners on this matter. On 18th April, Secretary Powell said that the US has a vision of,
two states living in peace, side by side".and that that is the,only solution to this conflict".We agree with that.With our European Union partners, the United States and the United Nations, we are working very hard to end the violence in the region and to bring both sides back to the negotiating table. We are very pleased that the UN fact-finding mission is intended to go into Jenin towards the end of this week or early next week.
§ Lord Wright of RichmondMy Lords, will the Minister confirm that the British Government still regard the Palestinian Authority, under the elected President Yasser Arafat, as the legitimate administrators of the occupied territories? Will she also tell us what specific representations have been made either directly or indirectly to Israel about what appears to be the systematic destruction of the Palestinian Authority's infrastructure, including their computers and health and school records, and their continued restriction on the freedom of movement of President Arafat?
§ Baroness AmosMy Lords, we have made specific representations. Indeed, my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary has asked our ambassador in Israel to talk to the Israeli Government about the alleged abuses which have been said to have taken place. That is why we have welcomed the UN fact-finding mission. It is precisely because we are receiving contradictory information about what is happening 126 and what is alleged to have happened that we require an independent fact-finding mission under the auspices of the UN.
§ Lord Howell of GuildfordMy Lords, I agree with what has been said about the key role of the United States. I am also sure that the Minister will agree that European Union officials, provided that they can get the balance right, may have a role to play. However, does she agree with the comment this morning of a leading and very wise Arab leader that, of all the countries and major powers in the world, the United Kingdom has the most expertise and most experience in handling the appalling complexities of the Middle East? Will she encourage her colleagues in the Foreign Office to make a more direct contribution to the building up of a regional conference within which, out of all this bloodshed, the seeds of some kind of peace can be sown?
§ Baroness AmosMy Lords, first, I thank the noble Lord for his comments on the experience and expertise that exists in this country. However, it is important to remember that, as we have all said, this issue requires an international response. We have taken the lead within the context of the UN, but Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Abdullah have also played a key role. The US has an absolutely critical role, and the countries within the region themselves have a key role to play. The key factor is that we should all work together and recognise that military action will not deliver a solution. We know that the two sides have to sit down and negotiate. In the long term, they have to be able to live together.
§ The Lord Bishop of BradfordMy Lords, is the Minister aware of the deep concern felt on these Benches about the deteriorating situation in and around the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, a place of the utmost significance for Christians and Christian sensibilities throughout the world? Among other concerns, am I right in my understanding that the people currently inside the church have water but no food although they have been there for 20 days or so? Can she please tell us what steps the British Government might be able to take to support local efforts by people of different faiths to bring this appalling solution to a peaceful and acceptable solution?
§ Baroness AmosMy Lords, I entirely share the right reverend Prelate's concern. There are at least 150 Palestinians—including about 80 members of the Christian orders—in the church in Bethlehem, and they have been there since Israel began its incursion into Bethlehem. It has been quite difficult to get accurate reporting on water and food. The last report that I saw indicated that water and food were running out, but I have certainly not seen a report indicating that there is no food. We are closely engaged in 127 diplomatic efforts to resolve the stand-off, and we will continue to do all we can to bring this situation to an end.