§ Mr. Stephen TwiggTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to Yasser Arafat regarding the release from prison of members of(a) Hamas and (b) Islamic Jihad. [156907]
§ Mr. WilsonThe Secretary of State raised concerns about the release of prisoners belonging to groups responsible for terrorist acts during his meeting with President Arafat on 11 October 2000.
The Government are in regular contact with the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel, and urge them to resume security co-operation and to do all in their power to end violence, restrain extremism and minimise incitement and provocations.