But time is short. There are European Councils in
March and June
which also sees the election of a new
European Parliament.
We earnestly hope for a
breakthrough. The choice I am afraid may be a very
simple one: development or decay.
[Response to any points raised on European Community,
arms control and East/West relations.]
Arab/Israel: Dispute
I would now like to turn to the world outside Europe
and to other problems and issues in which Britain has a
direct interest. In the Arab/Israeli dispute our
interest is to see a negotiated settlement which brings
peace to the region. This is unlikely to be achieved
until Israel recognises the Palestinian's right to
self-determination. And until the Arabs explicitly
recognise Israel's right to exist. Plans for peace
there are in plenty. What we need now are realistic
negotiating positions, rather than more statements of
principle. The Government is committed to active
diplomacy to move the parties towards negotiations.
But it is the parties themselves who must take the
lead.
Gulf War
Your Lordships will share my concern about the risks
further east of an escalation in the Gulf War. The
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