HC Deb 09 November 1981 vol 12 c43W
Mr. Latham

asked the Prime Minister whether, pursuant to her press conference in Kuwait on 27 September, she intends to permit any British meeting at ministerial level with the terrorist leader Yasser Arafat or any other senior spokesman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation which she described at that press conference as being associated with terrorism and wishing the destruction of the State of Israel.

The Prime Minister

In the period since he took over the Presidency of the EC, my right hon. and noble Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary has made it clear that he would be ready to meet Yasser Arafat if, but only if, such a meeting was likely to further the cause of peace. I and other ministers will continue to urge the PLO to make clear their abandonment of any association with terrorism and readiness to accept Israel's right to live in peace.