§ 13. Mr. ArcherTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will initiate discussions at the United Nations with a view to establishing an international peace-keeping force in the Persian Gulf.
§ Mr. MellorNo. Discussions in New York are rightly concentrating on finding ways to implement Security Council resolution 598. This may well require the imposition of an arms embargo. Until there is a peace to keep, discussion of a peace-keeping force is entirely premature.
§ 16. Mr. SackvilleTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement about the situation in the Gulf.
§ Mr. MellorThe situation in the Gulf remains tense. Although there is currently a lull in the Gulf itself, though not of course in the land war, this year so far there have already been a large number of successful attacks on shipping by both Iran and Iraq. We continue to urge both sides to end these attacks through the implementation of Security Council resolution 598.