23.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, further to European Community statements of 26 June on the middle east, what further action Her Majesty's Government intend taking to ensure protection of the Palestinian population.
The Dublin declaration speaks for itself. We and our partners are committed to continued vigilance over human rights abuses in the occupied territories and to taking these up, in as effective a manner as possible, with the Israeli authorities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts have been made by Her Majesty's Government with the newly formed Government in Israel.
There have been a number of contacts on diplomatic channels. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State hopes to see his new Israeli colleague before long.
72.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to seek the same undertakings from the Government of Israel in relation to international terrorism as he has sought from the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
The Israeli Government know we abhor terrorism from whichever quarter it comes. Resort to deliberately planned acts of violence can only increase tension in the region and set back the search for peace.
63.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met representatives of the Palestine Liberation Organisation to discuss the situation in Palestine; and if he will make a statement.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met Mr. Bassam Abu Sharif on 1 March and I met him again as recently as 4 June.We remain in regular contact with the PLO leadership and take every opportunity to urge them to maintain their commitment to the moderate policies adopted in 1988.
60.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received about the plight of United Kingdom citizens kidnapped in the Lebanon.
We have continued to receive representations as described in my answer of 12 July 1989 to the hon. Member.
58.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has plans to meet the chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation to discuss the peace process in the middle east.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has no plans to meet Mr. Arafat. We are however in regular contact with the PLO leadership and urge them to maintain their commitment to the moderate policies adopted in 1988. It is this commitment which entitles them to participate in the peace process.
54.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends to visit Israel to discuss the middle east peace process.
82.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to visit Israel to discuss the peace process in the middle east.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs hopes to visit Israel before long. The Israeli Government are well aware of our views on the urgent need for direct dialogue with representative Palestinians.
40.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the middle east peace process.
53.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards a peace settlement in the middle east.
59.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the measures he is taking to advance the peace process in the middle east.
The situation in the middle east is serious. The continuing stalemate in the peace process plays into the hands of extremists on all sides and increases the danger of greater violence. European concerns were expressed in the Dublin declaration of 26 June. We are working closely with partners and with the United States to encourage Israel to open a dialogue with representative Palestinians as a first step towards a comprehensive settlement.
38.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to meet the new Foreign Minister of Israel to discuss the middle east situation.
64.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet a representative of the Israeli Government to discuss the middle east peace process.
65.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Israel concerning the situation in the middle east; and if he will make a statement.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs hopes to meet the new Israeli Foreign Minister before too long. We regularly discuss the peace process with the Israelis. They are well aware of our view that a direct dialogue between Israel and representative Palestinians is needed soon as a first step towards an overall settlement.
37.
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Israeli Government about the occupation of the west bank and Gaza strip.
The Israeli Government are in no doubt about our view that Israel should withdraw from territories occupied since 1967 as part of a comprehensive peace settlement and that pending such a withdrawal Israel should adhere to its obligations under the Geneva convention.