MP in Berlin Talks

Neil Gerrard, Labour MP for Walthamstow, was in Berlin last week for talks with German MPs and officials of the German Foreign Ministry about the situation in the Middle East. Mr Gerrard is a member of a commission set up by the Joint Middle East Councils of the main political parties which produced a report on the position of Palestinian refugees.

"We are taking our recommendations to other European Parliaments, the European Union, and the USA, to get support for our view that the Palestinian refugees are at the heart of the problems in the Middle East" said Mr Gerrard. "We believe that a solution of the problems in Israel and the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza is impossible unless the refugee issue is dealt with. Nearly two thirds of all Palestinians are refugees or displaced people."

"We believe it is essential that their voice is heard in any negotiations towards a settlement. The European Union has given some support to some of our proposals to help develop political structures in the refugee communities outside the Occupied Territories, which we welcome. What we now want to do is build up wider support for this initiative, and for the inclusion of the refugees in any moves towards peace. We were very encouraged by the reception we had for our ideas from German politicians and officials"

March 2004

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