§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making to the Israeli Government regarding(a) the death of James Miller and (b) the shooting of Tom Hurndall in Gaza; and if he will encourage the Israeli authorities to carry out a full criminal investigation. [113732]
Mr. Mike O"BrienSince the shooting of Tom Hurndall and death of James Miller we have continually pressed the Israeli Government for full and transparent inquiries into the shootings. I repeated these demands when I met the Israeli Ambassador to London, Zvi Shtuaber on 8 May. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also raised our concerns on 15 May when he met Israeli Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom.
Our Ambassador in Tel Aviv has already pressed the Israelis for a Military Investigation into both shootings.
Our staff in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem remain in contact with both families, and are working on their behalf. We will continue to do all that we can to resolve both these cases.
§ Richard BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the matters discussed during his talks with the Israeli Foreign Minister on 16 May; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of those talks. [114846]
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Mr. Mike O"BrienMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed bilateral relations, Middle East Peace Process and other regional issues of common concern with Mr Shalom. This was the first opportunity we have had to raise British interests and concerns with the new Israeli Foreign Minister in person.
§ Richard BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Israeli Government about the restrictions placed by the Israeli Government on the freedom of foreign nationals to enter the Gaza Strip, and what response he has received to those representations; [114848]
(2) what assessment he has made of reports that the Israeli Government has imposed a requirement on foreign nationals wishing to enter the Gaza Strip should sign a waiver absolving the Israeli military of responsibility if the foreign national command is killed or injured by Israeli military action; and what representations he has made to the Government of Israel on the issue. [114849]
Mr. Mike O"BrienWe are concerned by Israel"s decision to oblige foreign nationals to sign a waiver before allowing them to enter the Gaza Strip; and by the further decision to forbid most foreign nationals from entering the Gaza Strip at all. Our embassy in Tel Aviv has taken these issues up with the Israeli authorities as a matter of urgency. We look to the Government of Israel to ease these restrictions without delay.
§ Mr. TynanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make copies of the Quartet"s middle east road map available on his Department"s website; and if he will place a formal copy of the road map in the Library. [114927]
Mr. Mike O"BrienFormal copies of the roadmap are publicly available on the department"s website www.fco.gov.uk/mepp and have been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he is having with(a) the Israeli Government, (b) the Palestinian authorities, (c) the United Nations and (d) his American counterparts regarding progress on the implementation of Phase 1 of the roadmap for peace. [115140]
Mr. Mike O"BrienMinisters and Officials are in regular contact with the Israeli Government, the Palestinian Authority, the UN and the US. Most recently my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary met Israeli Foreign Minister Shalom during his visit to London on 15 May 2003; and the Prime Minister spoke to President Bush on 16 May and Abu Mazen on 18 May 2003.