Middle East (Hansard, 30 March 1994)

§ 9. Mr. McKelvey
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met representatives of participating states and organisations in the middle east peace negotiations to discuss progress.

§ 22. Ms Janet Anderson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met representatives of participating states and organisations in the middle east peace negotiations; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Israel, the occupied territories, Lebanon and Jordon from 2 to 6 January and met the key figures involved in the peace process. He and I met Mr. Arafat's envoy, Nabil Shaath, on 3 March.

§ 27. Mr. Batiste
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in the middle east peace process.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
The United Kingdom cosponsored United Nations Security Council resolution 904 was adopted on 18 March. This calls for the implementation without delay of the Israeli-PLO declaration of principles. We hope for early agreement on Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Jericho. We welcome the announcement that bilateral talks between Israel and Syria, Lebanon and Jordan will resume in Washington in April.

§ 28. Mr. Cyril D. Townsend
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's support for the Washington accord in resolving the Palestine-Israeli conflict.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
The United Kingdom cosponsored UN Security Council resolution 904. This calls for the implementation without delay of the Israeli-PLO declaration of principles. Our aid to the occupied territories will amount to £20 million this financial year and £70 million for the next three financial years. We have also provided £85,000 to help fund surgeons and specialist medical equipment and supplies to treat the victims of the Hebron massacre.
Today we have provided £500,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross for its operation in the occupied territories.

§ 31. Dr. Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's role in bringing about a recommencement of the middle east peace negotiations.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
The United Kingdom cosponsored United Nations Security Council resolution 904. We have urged on all parties to the negotiations the importance of concluding a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement as soon as possible.

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the chance of further progress on the middle east peace accord, until there is better protection of the Palestinians; and what representations he has made to the Israelis about this subject.
802W

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
The details of an international presence and of security measures for the protection of Palestinians in the occupied territories are under discussion between Israel and the PLO. We hope negotiations on Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and Jericho will resume soon. I wrote to the Israeli ambassador drawing his attention to the statement on 7 March by European Union Foreign Ministers which called for protection of Palestinians in the occupied territories.

§ Mr. Worthington
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent he is involved in international discussions to supply an international security force for the occupied territories in the middle east; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
We co-sponsored United Nations Security Council resolution 904 which called for an international or foreign presence. We are in close touch with interested parties on the follow-up to that resolution.