Richard Bruton
Question:56 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in the Middle East. [16486/98]
Written Answers. - Middle East Peace Process.
The Government, together with our partners in the European Union, is most concerned at the current stalemate in the Middle East Peace Process.
It is clear that the approach of Mr. Netanyahu's government to the implementation of the Oslo Agreement has been fundamentally different from that of its predecessor. Considerations relating to Israel's security have been predominant. Discussions with Syria about a possible IsraeliSyrian peace agreement were halted. While there was limited redeployment of Israeli troops from Hebron, Mr. Netanyahu introduced a number of unilateral measures, such as the building of new Israeli settlements at Har Homa/Jebel Abu Ghneim in East Jerusalem, which were seen as particularly provocative by the Palestinian inhabitants of the occupied territories.
As a consequence, negotiations to give effect to the second redeployment of Israeli troops from part of the occupied territories which they overran in 1967, as provided for under the Oslo Accord, have been stalled for over a year. Despite strenuous efforts since last summer by the US Administration to restart the process — efforts which Ireland and other European Union member states have fully supported — there has been no significant movement. The US negotiators have sought to link progress in redeployment by Israel with progress by the Palestinians in tackling terrorism. Though they have secured Palestinian agreement to an offer involving a modest redeployment from the occupied territories, Mr. Netanyahu has indicated that he cannot accept even this limited proposal.
We are conscious that time is running out for a settlement under the Oslo Agreement. The necessary common ground has not been found between the Israelis and the Palestinians and there is a loss of confidence that it will be found. The recent plan for extending boundaries of Jerusalem, adopted this month, again unilaterally, by Prime Minister Netanyahu's government, has further undermined Palestinian confidence, reinforcing the perception that the Israeli authorities are endeavouring to reduce the number of Palestinians living in Jerusalem.
The critical situation in the Middle East Peace Process was considered by the General Affairs Council which I attended at Luxembourg last Monday. The EU Special Envoy, Ambassador Moratinos, gave a comprehensive briefing. The council called on Israel to give a clear and positive response to the US ideas for relaunching negotiations and reiterated its deep concern at the Israeli Government's new plan for Jerusalem.
In the meantime, contact has been maintained with both sides and new proposals are being examined. France and Egypt, for example, have proposed an international conference in an effort to reinvigorate the peace process, and, for our part, we are willing to discuss and support every effort at progress. Both nationally and with our partners in Europe, we will continue to urge on all the parties the overriding importance of moving ahead with the peace process.