we should help forward the peace making process. And so far as the PLO is concerned, the British position here has been absolutely clear time and time
again. We want them to recognise Israel, in exchange for Israel recognising
them, and we want them to abandon violence and terrorist methods and pursue
their aspirations by peaceful and political means. And, of course the aspirations of the Palestinian people are extremely important. But we have
had these reservations about the PIO and we said that we would see them only
if we thought it would help the peace making process forward and we made the
suggestion about three months ago that the Minister of State, Mr Hurd, could
see Mr Qaddumi if that was thought a good idea, and some three months later,
last week this invitation was taken up. There was an exchange designed entirely
to try and further the peace making process. There are no further plans for further meetings at present.