HC Deb 17 December 2002 vol 396 cc766-7W
Mr. Oaten

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he plans to have with the President of Syria. [86899]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

We will discuss the full range of bilateral and international issues with President Bashar al-Assad including reform, human rights, Iraq, the Middle East Peace Process and the fight against terrorism.

Mr. Dismore

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he will discuss support for terrorist organisations with the President of Syria during his forthcoming visit to the UK; [87641]

(2) if he will make a statement about the reasons for the visit of the President of Syria to the UK; [87643]

(3) whether he will discuss the fate of Israeli missing servicemen with President Bashar Al-Assad of Syria during his forthcoming visit to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [87642]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

President Bashar Al-Assad is visiting the United Kingdom, at the invitation of Her Majesty's Government, as a follow-up to the Prime Minister's visit to Syria in October 2001. Discussions during the visit will cover the full range of bilateral and international issues, including reform, human rights, Iraq, the Middle East Peace Process and the fight against terrorism, including terrorist organisations in Syria and the fate of missing Israeli servicemen.