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Margaret Thatcher: Everyone
recognises that there will be no solution to the Arab-Israeli
problem without the U.S.
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From Emirates News
Newspaper (Abu Dhabi, UAE), Thursday, April 9, 1981
And Gulf News Newspaper (Dubai, UAE), Thursday, April 9, 1981
London, April 8 (WAM): The defence of the Gulf is the responsibility
of the Gulf states which are taking the steps to ensure peace and
security in the Gulf both separately and jointly," British Prime
Minister Mrs. Margaret Thatcher said.
Mrs. Thatcher told six Arab journalists that she believes the Gulf
Is making certain that it becomes more secure by virtue of the
tremendous efforts that each and every one of the countries is
making not only separately but also jointly.
Mrs Thatcher will start on April 19 a tour of the Gulf States of
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the Sultanate of Oman and
Qatar before returning home on the April 26. Visits to Kuwait and
Bahrain will be made next September.
In a wide-ranging press meeting at 10 Downing Street, the Prime
Minister's office and residence, Mrs Thatcher said that the, Rapid
Deployment Force is not specifically with reference to the Gulf in
any way, "one does not know where there might be trouble in the
world," she said.
"If the United States were to form a Rapid Deployment Force, then I
think that we would wish to make a modest contribution which will be
available for those people who wished to call upon it," she told the
journalists.
Questioned further on this controversial issue, Mrs Thatcher said
that there is no question of a Rapid Deployment Force being
stationed In the Gulf. "There never was. There would be no question
of sending it If people did not wish it to go," she said adding
-that as there is no Rapid Deployment Force at present, there is
nowhere to go. "If you have not got one, it could not go whatever
the circumstances-or whatever the calls."
The Prime Minister said that the Gulf is an extremely important
place for the whole future of world peace and, stability and that
the British government recognises that peace and stability are in
the hands of the states in the area themselves. "We welcome their
efforts to get together to ensure both aims," she said in reference
to the recently formed Gulf Cooperation Council.
On the occasion of her first visit to the four countries, Mrs.
Thatcher said that the Middle East and other issues of importance
would be discussed. What about the Rapid Deployment Force? "No", the
Prime Minister answered, "because there is no Rapid Deployment Force
at the moment."
Mrs Thatcher was asked whether the idea to contribute to Rapid
Deployment Force is a reversal of the East of Suez policy that
Britain has taken after the withdrawal from the, Gulf in 1971. "No,"
she answered. "I find it difficult to know why you ask that
question."
Mrs Thatcher said that there is no justification for the alarm
expressed by some at her statements made during her recent visit to
Washington in reference to the Gulf. Asked whether her government
would consider a decision by the United States to store or install
nuclear arms at the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, she replied
that such a thing would be a matter of consultation. "Everything
that is done there (at Diego Garcia) is a matter for consultation.
They do not take such steps without consulting us," she added.
Mrs. Thatcher expressed the opinion that the Arab-Israeli problem
and the situation In the Gulf are not wholly unrelated. "I do not
know if there is any point in trying to say one is more Important
than the other. Both are problems," she said.
Mrs Thatcher said that although the Camp David accords did not meet
with universal acclaim among other countries, they did lead at least
to some territory being returned to Egypt.
"The problem now is how best to continue the process of solving the
Middle East problem and It is quite clear that the United States has
not decided the best way to continue the process and to carry it
forward, and it is equally clear that the U.S. wishes to consult
other people before they decide how best to go ahead. Haig is in the
Middle East now with a view to seeing for himself before he and the
President decide how best the process can be taken further ahead."
Lord Carrington, Britain's Foreign Secretary will be President of
the Foreign Ministers Council of the EEC next July, but very little
Is expected to happen in the near future regarding the Middle East
problem. "We are not likely to make very great strides before the
Israeli elections (end of July)," Mrs Thatcher said.
The Prime Minister said that the EEC countries are trying to sort
out some of the things which needs to be done, and Foreign Ministers
from Europe have been going round consulting with the various states
concerned to see how they would interpret some of the phrases and
clauses that are used when referring to the Middle East problems.
Asked how much influence Britain can exercise on the U.S. in
changing Its opinion regarding Israel, she said that everyone
recognises that there will be no solution to the Arab-Israeli
problem without the U.S., but no settlement can be reached without
the Israelis recognising the legitimate rights and aspirations of
the Palestinian people and the Palestinians recognising Israel's
right to live behind secure borders.
Mrs. Thatcher admitted that a final solution is not in sight,
although Europe has been pursuing various avenues of approach. "We
cannot see I clear way ahead until we have had discussions with the
U.S. about the way in which they would like to proceed and I have
not the slightest shadow of doubt that the U.S. will be influenced
by what we say, " she said.
In regard to the Palestine Liberation Organisation, Mrs. Thatcher
said, "Recognition" to us means countries. "We do not, I must tell
you, recognise the PLO. We talk to Palestinians and that is the
right way." Admitting that British officials have talked to the PLO
but not on a ministerial level. She said: "I think the reason, of
which you will he aware, will be their contacts with terrorism."
Arab News Newspaper (Jeddah), Thursday 16 June 1979
Sharq Al Awsat Newspaper (London)
Thursday 16 June 1979
UK Conservative see a more active role in the Middle East
By Adel Bishtawi and Nigel Harvey
LONDON- Britain's new Conservative government sees a more active
role in the Middle East for itself and the European Community. And
while encouraging the peace process it is taking a harder line on
Israeli expansionism and is accepting its commitment to a liberated
Jerusalem under U.N. resolution 242.
"That is certainly an important element in the discussions and we
support 242 which covers it," British Minister of State for Foreign
Affairs Douglas Hurd told "Arab News."
Hurd is responsible for his ministry's Middle East section and will
be the architect of the new government's policy.
"We believe that if Europe can increasingly speak with one voice
then our influence is greater," said Hurd pointing to last week's
EEC foreign ministers' -quite strong" resolutions criticizing
Israeli settlements policy on the West Batik and involvement
in-south Lebanon. Britain, he said, considered these "wrong" and
"unhelpful."
He said the Camp David achievement "although imperfect, is worth
preserving and should not be destroyed. We want to encourage the
autonomy talks. Because we believe that if there were to be, and
it's a big if, genuine autonomy for the Palestinians on the West
Bank, then that would be another important step forward."
"Don't let's spit on the only thing which is actually happening," he
added. "Increased flexibility" after Camp David," he said, "should
be used to obtain an eventual settlement against the alternative of
another 'no winners' war."
"We understand the criticisms of President Sadat," he said, "and
would be worried if we thought there was a permanent gape open
there. So we will do what we can alone, but also with our fellow
Europeans, to play a useful part in widening out, and in improving,
these discussions.
41 We will work closely with our Arab friends particularly
traditional friends like the Saudi government in the hope that we
can play a useful, perhaps more prominent, part than we have been
able to." Initially, at least, this activity will be purely
diplomatic, said Hurd.
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's government has quickly
established contact with Middle Eastern leaders.
Since their overwhelming election victory visitors have already
included Prince Salman, governor of Riyadh, Prime Minister Menahem
Begin of Israel, King Hussein of Jordan and Vice President Hosni
Mubarak of Egypt.
Britain's Conservatives have traditionally been considered more
understanding to the Arabs than their Labour rivals, who had Labour
movement connections with Israel. Though there has been no head on
policy clash and consequently no "sudden turn of policy when the
Conservatives take over," said Hurd, the party has " a considerable
body of experience" through various members' personal relationships
with the Middle East.
Not least among these is the Foreign Secretary, I-lord Carrington,
himself. He made an extensive tour of the Middle East that included
a meeting with PLO chairman Yasser Arafat, His spokesman in the
House of Commons, Sir Ian Gilmour, was a founder member of the
Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding.
Like most of his cabinet colleagues, Hurd, 49, was educated at Eton
and Oxbridge before joining the Foreign Office, with which he served
in Peking, the U.N. and Rome. He was
Prime minister Ted Heath's private secretary in the last Tory
government and opposition spokesman on Europe for Mrs. Thatcher.
The Conservatives are undoubtedly more Europe oriented than their
predecessors but it remains to be seen how far this will draw them
from Britain's traditionally conservative and pro-American role in
the EEC on Middle East questions.
After last week's EEC resolution, the next step could be official
recognition of the PLO that is favoured by many of the foreign
ministers. Hurd said: " We are considering our own attitudes but
there is a difficulty insofar as there's been no clear statement
from the PLO about the existence of Israel."
But he refused to be drawn on a trade off between recognition of the
PLO for their recognition of Security Council Resolution 242 that
acknowledges Israel's right to -exist.
However, he stipulated a Palestinian " land" and negotiations
involvement as necessary for a settlement. "We use the word land,
just as the French use the word patrie, because it is in a way
rather neutral. It conveys the feeling that there are people who
have rights over land, over water and over their own political
future which have to be respected." He felt the details should be
left to the debating process between those involved.
Britain's Middle East policy, said Hurd, is based on three cards of
entry: past connections, a good relationship with the U.S. and the
"new element" of growing European cooperation. The last two may with
time conflict as Europe establishes policies of its own. The
unprecedented statements on Israel tire running besides conflict on
the EEC commission's refusal to move offices from Tel Aviv to
Jerusalem under threat of losing diplomatic privileges.
Pointing to the " stuck" Euro- Arab dialogue and difficulties within
the " adolescent" European political institution of gaining
agreement Hurd feels strong unity is distant.
"If the situation changed, and the present talks were coming to
nothing then we in Europe would have to think again very carefully
from the beginning what our role should be and whether we could take
some further initiative," he said.
" But obviously that is something we would want to discuss with the
Saudi government and all friendly governments before we do it."
Hurd stressed the importance of close contact with Saudi Arabia on
oil and world economic issues as well as the general Middle East
situation and the consequences of the Iranian revolution. Our doors
are open," he said hoping for further two-way visits.
Apart from this broader bilateral dialogue - and Hurd excluded a
European context as yet - which started with Prince Salman's visit,
there is a continual discussion on the future of the Arab Industries
Organization disbanded after the Egypt-Israel peace treaty. The
British military industry was to be deeply involved with
Egyptian-based factories for helicopters and missiles. "It's in
difficulty, but we don't despair of finding an answer which is
reasonably satisfactory," said Hurd.
Gulf security, said Hurd was no longer a British concern though
close friendships were retained. He said there was no vacuum and the
security of the Gulf and its governments depended on their own
policies. "The Shah was not after all overthrown by outside armies,"
he added. But he said that Oman, which has around 600 British
officers some on secondment, was a "special case." |
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