I propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 73, 74 and 91 together.
I attach the greatest importance to the full implementation of the Middle East Peace Process in accordance with the Oslo Agreement of September 1993. It was, accordingly, with considerable dismay that I noted the gradual slowing down of the process since early this year. Continued Israeli settlement activity in East Jerusalem, the closure of the border between Israel and the Palestinian administered territories, and the refusal by Israel to reimburse the Palestinian authority taxes collected on its behalf following the recent terrorist atrocities — which I have condemned — effectively brought the process to a standstill by last month.
At the UN last week, I drew attention in my statement to the general assembly to the dangers arising from the current impasse in the peace process and the need for all the parties to put the process back on track.