HC Deb 11 May 1983 vol 42 cc321-2W
36. Mr. Temple-Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Middle East situation relating to the peace initiative of President Reagan and progress being made regarding the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the Lebanon.

Mr. Pym

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Bexleyheath (Mr. Townsend).

Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, when the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Mid-Oxon (Mr. Hurd) met Mr. Khaddoumi in Tunisia, he raised with him his public statements that the Palestine Liberation Organisation would refuse to amend its national charter and that its refusal to recognise Israel was an unchangeable, permanent policy; and what response he received.

Mr. Hurd

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 9 May.—[Vol. 42, c. 191–92.]

Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will list any outstanding diplomatic problems which would inhibit an early visit by him or by the Minister of State to (a) Israel, (b) Iraq, (c) Egypt, and (d) Lebanon; and what visits are planned to these countries during the remainder of 1983.

Mr. Hurd

Ministerial visits are decided on their merits. Neither I nor my right hon. Friend have at present any plans to visit the countries referred to.

Mr. Latham

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he received from His Majesty King Fahd or His Majesty King Hussein regarding the willingness of the following Arab countries or organisations to negotiate with the United States of America on President Reagan's police plan, namely; Syria, Iraq, the Democratic Republic of Yemen and the Palestine Liberation Organisation; and what attempts he is making to achieve such negotiations.

Mr. Hurd

Discussions with foreign Governments must remain confidential, but we have consistently urged all the parties concerned to respond positively to President Reagan's initiative, which remains at present the only practical starting point for negotiations.