§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what impact the recent conflict in the occupied territories has had on(a) the Lebanon, (b) Syria, (c) Jordan and (d) Egypt; and if he will make a statement. [25524]
§ Mr. BradshawThe violence in Israel and the occupied territories continues to have a destabilising effect on the middle east, and remains a source of tension around the region. It is important that the countries of the region play a constructive role in efforts to bring the parties back to the negotiating table. We will continue to play a full part in these efforts.
§ David CairnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with President Bush's Administration about their present and future role in securing peace in the middle east. [25423]
§ Mr. BradshawMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary speaks to Secretary of State Colin Powell regularly on this issue, most recently on 3 January. US engagement remains central to efforts to secure a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region. We support the work of US envoy General Zinni to bring the parties back to negotiations, and will continue to work with the US and our EU partners to this end.
§ Mr. Jim MurphyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made towards the Israeli Government regarding the peace process in the middle east. [25461]
§ Mr. BradshawOn 19 December the Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister Sharon. Lord Levy met Prime Minister Sharon in Israel on the same day. We have made clear to the Israeli Government that they should support the Palestinian Authority's efforts to enforce a ceasefire. Israel should also withdraw its military forces and stop922W extrajudicial killings, lift closures and restrictions, freeze settlement activity and end operations directed against the infrastructure of the Palestinian Authority.
§ Mr. Jim MurphyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the recent meetings in the last 12 months that have taken place between British Government Ministers and the French ambassador to the United Kingdom at which the middle east was discussed. [25460]
§ Peter HainThe French ambassador has frequent contact with Ministers and a variety of issues are discussed on an on-going basis.
§ Mr. Jim MurphyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the individual terrorist organisations which operate within(a) Syria and (b) Iran. [25466]
§ Mr. BradshawSyria allows a number of terrorist organisations to operate from within its borders. These organisations include the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Popular Front for the Liberation—General Command. Hizballah also operates from within Syria. The UK has proscribed an element of Hizballah, its External Security Organisation, as terrorist. Syria is however co-operating with the international fight against terrorism and has taken some steps to rein in these organisations. Iran does not host terrorist organisations in the same way. However we have long-standing concerns about Iran's record of support for groups which use violent methods to oppose the Middle East Peace Process, including Hizballah.
§ Mr. Jim MurphyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of which organisations were responsible for the terrorist attack on a bus in the West Bank on Wednesday 12 December 2001. [25465]
§ Mr. BradshawHamas claimed responsibility for the attack on the bus in the West Bank on 12 December.
§ Mr. Jim MurphyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of which organisations were responsible for the terrorist attack in the Israeli town of Afula on Tuesday 27 November. [25464]
§ Mr. BradshawPalestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the shooting in Afula on 27 November.