§ 14. Mr. Adleyasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will intensify the co-ordination of activity of States participating in the European initiative on the Middle East, following the recent Israeli attack on Iraq.
§ Mr. HurdConsultation and co-ordination between the Ten on the Middle East is already close and constant. The implications of Israel's attack on Iraq's nuclear facilities will be taken into account by the Ten when it considers Mr. van der Klaauw's conclusions, and determine its next steps.
§ 17. Mr. Hordernasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the effect of recent events in the Middle East on the prospects for success of the European initiative.
§ Mr. HurdContinuing hostility between Israel and Syria over the Lebanon and Israel's attack on Iraq's120W nuclear facilities have increased tension in an area which is already dangerously unstable. While reinforcing the need for a peaceful settlement to the Arab-Israel dispute, they have inevitably made progress towards this goal more difficult.
§ 20. Mr. Pavittasked the Lord Privy Seal what principles will govern the Foreign Secretary's implementation of the European Economic Community Middle East policy while he assumes the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
§ Mr. HurdThe policy of the Ten will continue to be based on the even-handed principles of the Venice declaration, which calls for security for Israel within internationally recognised and guaranteed boundaries and self-determination for the Palestinian people as essential to a negotiated comprehensive peace settlement.
§ 28. Dr. M. S. Millerasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can report any progress on the European Economic Community Middle East initiative.
§ Mr. HurdThe Dutch Foreign Minister, acting on behalf of the Ten, has completed his consultations with the parties in the area. The Ten are now considering Mr. van der Klaauw's conclusions. No decisions have been taken on the next steps. We and our partners will continue to press the Arabs to accept Israel's right to live in peace and Israel to recognise the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, in accordance with the balanced principles of the Venice declaration.
§ 30. Mr. David Watkinsasked the Lord Privy Seal what measures Her Majesty's Government are now taking to further the European Economic Community initiative for peace in the Middle East.
§ Mr. HurdThe United Kingdom assumes the Presidency of the European Council of Foreign Ministers on 1 July. No decisions have yet been taken on how European peace efforts should be carried forward. Much depends on developments in the area, including the outcome of elections in Israel on 30 June. Progress will be made only if both sides in the dispute are prepared to recognise each other's rights.
§ 34. Mr. Mikardoasked the Lord Privy Seal whether, during his recent visit to the United States of America, he had discussions with the United States Government on the Middle East; and, if so, what was the outcome of these discussions.
§ Sir Ian GilmourI had useful exchanges on the Middle East. I took the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to work in the Ten to seek the widest possible acceptance of the principles of the Venice declaration. We agreed that recent developments demonstrated all too clearly the urgent need for a peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israel dispute.