§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has received from Her Majesty's ambassador in Damascus regarding the speech by President Hafez Al-Assad on 4 May to the National Federation of Syrian Students, in which he praised the Palestine National Salvation Front, the adoption of revolutionary uprisings, and opposition to any compromise settlement; and whether Her Majesty's ambassador has delivered any note to President Assad regarding the tone and content of this speech.
§ Mr. LuceWe are aware of Syria's support for the "Palestine National Salvation Front", and opposition to the agreement between King Hussein and Mr. Yasser Arafat of the Palestine Liberation Organisation to work for a negotiated settlement of the Arab-Israel dispute. For their part, the Syrian Government are aware that we welcome this agreement as a useful step, and shall continue to encourage constructive moves by the parties directly concerned.