§ Sir Thomas ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Minister of State's meeting with representatives of the PLO; and what assurances were sought from the PLO concerning the abandonment of the Intifada.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggFaisal Husseini, head of the Palestinian negotiating team, called on me on 9 March, accompanied by two PLO officials. I explained the importance of an early resumption of the peace process. I told Mr. Husseini that we recognised the need for Israeli moves to lighten the weight of the occupation, but that it would be an enormous help if the Palestinian leadership were able to take steps to reduce violence by Palestinians.