HC Deb 04 May 1989 vol 152 cc190-1W
Mr. Harry Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the application by the Palestine Liberation Organisation for its observer status at the World Health Organisation to be turned into full membership; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

We are in close touch with a wide range of fellow members of the World Health Organisation, including European Community and western partners in Geneva.

The 12 member states of the European Community have made their position clear in a formal note to the director general of the World Health Organisation. No member of the European Community has recognised the Palestine Liberation Organisation/Palestine as a state. Accordingly, we do not accept that the Palestine Liberation Organisation satisfies the criteria for membership of the World Health Organisation.

We have also strongly advised the Palestine Liberation Organisation not to pursue its application.

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