HC Deb 09 January 2002 vol 377 cc919-20W
Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have received from coalition partners concerning the decision by the Israeli Government to end diplomatic contact with Chairman Arafat. [25680]

Mr. Bradshaw

The Israeli Security Cabinet declared President Arafat to be "irrelevant" on 13 December. We and our EU partners have repeatedly made it clear, as stated at the Laeken European Council on 16 December, thatIsrael needs the Palestinian Authority and its elected President, Yasser Arafat, as a partner". It remains our view that President Arafat is the only figure with whom Israel can negotiate peace.

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