§ 28. Mr. Cyril D. Townsendasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications for the peace process in the middle east of the situation in southern Lebanon.
§ Mr. RentonDevelopments in southern Lebanon have some effect on the climate for middle east peace negotiations. We call on the Israelis to complete their withdrawal from southern Lebanon and on all concerned to facilitate UNIFIL's deployment, in accordance with its mandate, to the international border.
§ 30. Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any progress has been made towards setting up a middle east peace conference.
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§ 34. Mr. Waltersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on developments aimed at a middle east peace settlement.
§ Mr. RentonWe are continuing our efforts to help the parties to the Arab/Israel conflict reach sufficient common ground to allow the convening of an international conference aimed at achieving a comprehensive peace settlement in the middle east.
§ 33. Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what follow-up discussions he plans concerning the middle cast in the light of the visit by King Fand in March; and what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards re-establishing diplomatic ties with Syria in the absence of any statement by that country renouncing its role in international terrorism.
§ Mr. RentonWe are in regular discussion with the Saudi Government on a wide range of regional and international issues. The state visit of King Fahd was a most useful opportunity to pursue our dialogue at the highest level. On Syria we have made it clear that there is no prospect of the re-establishment of our diplomatic links until we have evidence, over time, of a change in Syrian support for terrorism.
§ Mr. Ernie Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Saudi Arabia has made any specific proposals or requests for improving regional security in the Gulf following the intensified level of hostilities between Iran and Iraq and the increased threat to international shipping.
§ Mr. RentonSaudi Arabia has made no specific proposals of which we are aware. However, Saudi Arabia, like other member states of the Gulf Co-operation Council, has regularly expressed concern about the threat to shipping in the Gulf; we are in agreement about the need to preserve freedom of navigation in the area and remain in close contact on this subject.