Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Britain resumes contacts with PLO

Tuesday 09 March 1993 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

DOUGLAS HOGG, Minister of State at the Foreign Office, is to meet two officials of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) today after a three-year absence of ministerial contacts which were broken off because of the PLO's position on the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, Foreign Office spokesmen confirmed last night, writes Charles Richards.

The move is intended to give some support to more moderate Palestinian elements and encourage them to return to the negotiating table. Mr Hogg is to see the head of the Palestinian negotiating team, Faisal Husseini, who will be accompanied at the meeting by Hael Fahoum, head of the PLO's European department in Tunis and the PLO's London representative, Afif Safieh.

Two things have changed in Britain's stance vis-a-vis the PLO. One is that Israel's deportation of more than 400 Palestinians in December boosted support for the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the occupied territories at the expense of the PLO. Hamas opposes the peace negotiations. And in Britain, John Major is less worried about any reaction from some of his own party to the restoration of contacts. In 1989, William Waldegrave, then Foreign Office minister, met Yasser Arafat, the PLO leader, and the last contact was a year later.

In Jerusalem, Israel protested against Britain's decision to resume contacts with the PLO, saying that it could damage chances for Middle East peace.

The deputy foreign minister, Yossi Beilin, summoned the British ambassador, Andrew Burns, to express Israel's protest.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in