§ Mr. GregoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to what discussions have taken place to ensure that representative sections of the Mujahideen will participate in the peace proposals for Afghanistan.
§ Mr. EggarIt is clear that the peace process cannot succeed without participation by the Mujahideen. The European Council statement of 5 December 1987 called on the Soviet Union to recognise that the participation of the Afghan resistance is essential to a comprehensive political settlement.
§ Mr. GregoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics concerning the timing of withdrawal of Soviet troops stationed in Afghanistan.
§ Mr. EggarWe regularly raise these issues with the Soviet Government, most recently on 7 December when my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister expressed to Mr. Gorbachev the hope that there would be a Soviet withdrawal in 1988.