§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what commitment he has made to send United Kingdom observers to supervise the Palestinian legislative elections; and if this has been accepted by President Arafat. [15534]
§ Mr. Douglas HoggDuring his visit to Gaza on 14 March, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister reaffirmed the EU's willingness to consider co-ordinating international observation of the Palestinian elections. Chairman Arafat warmly welcomed this. The nature of the UK's participation will be considered once the agreement has been reached between the Israelis and the 305W Palestinians on the arrangements for the elections and their observation.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress was made in implementing the second chapter of the declaration of principles at 9 March meeting between Shimon Peres and Yaser Arafat. [15532]
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMr. Peres and Mr. Arafat agreed to aim to complete negotiations on elections and redeployment on the west bank by 1 July, and on various confidence-building measures—including the opening of safe passage routes between Gaza and Jericho, the reactivation of the ministerial committee reviewing procedures for the release of Palestinian prisoners, and the expedition of passage through checkpoints. They agreed to increase the number of permits for Palestinian workers in Israel to 21,000. Two new joint committees on security and civilian issues have been formed. It was also agreed to transfer additional economic powers to the Palestinians in the west bank.