§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his statement on Iraq and the Middle East Peace Process, of 19 April 2004,Official Report, columns 21-23, (1) whether he urged President Bush that the Quartet should be involved in further decisions affecting the peace process rather than for such decisions to be decided bilaterally between the United States and Israel; [170575]
(2) what representations he made to President Bush before the President announced his endorsement of Prime Minister Sharon's plans. [170576]
§ The Prime MinisterI regularly have discussions with President Bush on a wide range of issues, including the Middle East Peace Process. As with previous Administrations it is not the practice of this Government to make public all details of discussions1458W with foreign Governments under exemption 1(b) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
I have made clear my view that the Quartet—which is meeting at Principals level in New York today—must lead the international community's efforts to take forward the Middle East Peace Process through the Roadmap. I hope that today's meeting will see the Quartet playing that role fully.