§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the source of funds that financed the arms shipment on Karine A; and if he will make a statement; [28247]
(2) what representations he has made to the Palestinian Authority over the arms shipment detected on the Karine A; and if he will make a statement; [28246]
(3) what assessment he has made of the (a) source and (b) ultimate intended destination of the arms on the Karine A; and if he will make a statement; [28245]
(4) if he will make a statement on the progress of his inquiries into the links between the arms shipment discovered on the Karine A and the Palestinian Authority. [28244]
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§ Mr. BradshawThe discovery of the arms shipment on the Karine A is a serious matter. We have seen evidence linking the shipment to Palestinian officials. But the extent of Palestinian Authority involvement and details of the origin destination and funding for the arms remain unclear. Israeli and Palestinian Authority inquiries are in hand. In a meeting with President Arafat on 15 January I urged him to investigate Palestinian involvement thoroughly and present his findings quickly.
Meanwhile the parties should not be deflected from the urgent business of implementing the Tenet Security Plan and Mitchell Committee recommendations.