§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to whether, following the meeting of the Palestine National Council in Algeria, there has been any movement by the Palestine Liberation Organisation to meet Her Majesty's Government's publicly stated conditions regarding the unambiguous recognition of Israel and the ending or armed violence prior to any meeting being possible at Cabinet Minister level with representatives of that organisation.
§ Mr. EggarWe have regular contacts with the PLO, but a meeting at Cabinet Minister level remains difficult while the PLO's policies remain ambiguous on Israel's right to exist within secure and recognised boundaries and on the use of violence.
We have no information of a recent change in PLO policy on these issues.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the response by the Palestine Liberation Organisation to the public statement of support given by Her Majesty's Government to the proposal for an international conference on the middle east, following the recent meeting between the Prime Minister and Mr. Shimon Peres.
§ Mr. EggarWe regret that the PLO should have misinterpreted the statement issued on 23 June as hostile to the Palestinian people. We remain committed to the search for a peaceful settlement of the Arab/Israel dispute, to ensure justice and security for all the peoples of the area.