§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy on the application of the Palestine Liberation Organisation to join the World Health Organisation and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe 12 member states of the European Community made their position clear in a formal note to the director general of the World Health Organisation on 28 April 1989. No member of the European Community has recognised the "state of Palestine" declared by the Palestine National Council in November 1988. Accordingly we do not accept that the PLO satisfied the criteria for membership of WHO. We have also strongly advised the PLO not to pursue their application.
§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards official contacts with the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
§ Mr. WaldegraveWe believe that the steps that it has taken in the past year have qualified the PLO to participate in the peace process. We maintain regular contact with members of the PLO.