MPs: Govt in 'counterproductive' Middle East policy

MPs critical of Middle East policy

Monday, 13, Aug 2007 12:00

The UK government's refusal to talk with Hamas' political wing in the Middle East has been "counterproductive," MPs have said.

The Commons foreign affairs committee said the government should "urgently consider" how to engage with Hamas moderates and welcomed Hamas' involvement in securing the release of Alan Johnston.

However, in its review of the Middle East, the committee continued to condem the action of Hamas militants, saying the actions of Hamas and Fatah militia forces in Gaza were "deplorable and should be condemned by all".

In Global Security: The Middle East the committee said: "A national unity government could and should have been established much earlier than the spring of 2007.

"Given the failure of the boycott to deliver results, the government should urgently consider ways of engaging politically with moderate elements within Hamas as a way of encouraging it to meet the three Quartet principles."

It also called on the government to consider whether the international community worked swiftly enough to restore direct aid after the national unity government was established.

MPs criticised the government's handling of the Israel-Lebanon conflict last year, warning the UK's reputation was damaged by its slow response.

Then-prime minister Tony Blair waited before calling for a ceasefire between the two nations.

The committee said a quicker response would have "led to reduce casualties among both Israeli and Lebanese civilians while still working towards a long-term solution to the crisis".

The report found some of Israel's actions were "indiscriminate and disproportionate", highlighting attacks on UN observers.

MPs added more than 3.5 million cluster bombs – representing 90 per cent of the total deployed – were dropped in the 72 hours after the UN Security Council passed a resolution effectively ending the conflict.

As a result, the committee warned efforts to clear south Lebanon of unexploded cluster bombs remain of "utmost importance".

The committee welcomed Mr Blair's appointment as Middle East envoy.

But, it said the "road map" to peace in the Middle East had become "largely...an irrelevance."

"The unwillingness of the Quartet to challenge robustly the failure by both sides to meet their obligations has undermined its usefulness as a vehicle for peace," the report warned.

MPs also warned against language such as the "war on terror" or "arc of extremism".

Gordon Brown is yet to refer to the "war on terror" and it is reported such rhetoric has been banned in his Cabinet.