§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has had from Her Majesty's ambassadors in Baghdad or Tel Aviv relating to the claim made by the Palestine Liberation Organisation on Palestine Liberation Organisation Central Radio in Baghdad at 16.36 hrs Greenwich mean time on 12 May that they had been responsible for explosions in Jerusalem during Mr. Shultz's visit and describing violent action of this kind as a major national option; and whether Her Majesty's ambassador has made any protest to the Iraqi Government about continuing violence and its effect on peace negotiations.
§ Mr. LuceAll concerned in the Arab-Israeli dispute are well aware that we condemn the use of violence from whatever quarter. We continue to believe that a just and lasting settlement can only be achieved through negiotiations at which the voice of the Palestinians would be heard. We therefore welcome the agreement between King Hussein and Mr. Yasser Arafat to work for a peaceful, negotiated settlement.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what report he has received from Her Majesty's Ambassador in Tunis about the statement on 13 May on Radio Monte Carlo by the leading member of the central committee of Al-Fatah, known as Abu Iyad, that the Palestine Liberation Organisation would be mistaken to approve an initiative by King Hussein which involved a Jordanian-Palestinian confederation and which would negotiate an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza; and whether he has received any confirmation from other ambassadors in Arab countries that this is the official view of Yasser Arafat's branch of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
§ Mr. LuceWe are aware of the statement referred to, and of the commitment by King Hussein and Mr. Yasser Arafat on 11 February that the Jordanian Government and the Palestine Liberation Organisation should work together for a negotiated settlement.