§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assurance he has received from the Palestinian Authority that it unequivocally condeinns suicide bombing; [160144]
(2)what representations he has made to the Palestinian Authority about the need for municipal government elections, [160147]
(3)what recent representations he has made about the need for reform of the Palestinian Authority. [160156]
§ Mr. RammellRepresentatives of the Palestinian Authority at every level have made clear to us repeatedly their condemning of suicide bombings. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's 8 March talks with the Palestinian Prime Minister, Ahmed Qurei, focussed on his plans for further improving security as well as on the importance of continuing reform of the Palestinian Authority. Elections are part of that reform process. We have encouraged the Palestinian Authority to complete its work on the legal and administrative framework. The successful conduct of municipal elections will, however, also require a significant easing of the occupation and associated restrictions on Palestinian freedom of movement.