Tory leader urged to consider PLO case

Mrs Thatcher, Leader of the Opposition, has been told in her talks with Egyptian leaders of the importance of including the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in the Middle East peace process. Mixing tourism with politics on the second day of her visit to Egypt, she trod the well-beaten path of many world figures, climbing the inside of the Great Pyramid at Giza.

After her exceptionally warm reception from President Sadat and his wife, Mrs Thatcher described her talks with the Egyptian leader as “excellent and very useful” . Emphasizing the fact-finding nature of her visits to Egypt and Syria, she said that in her meetings with Mr Sadat and other Egyptian leaders, her role had been that of a listener.

The talks covered the Middle East crisis, as seen through Egyptian eyes, and all aspects of Anglo-Egyptian relations. Throughout, President Sadat and his senior advisers have made clear that Egypt looks to Britain to play a more active role in the Middle East, especially in the search for a peaceful settlement in the area.

The role of the Palestinians was given a particular airing. Although Egypt and the other Arab states have watched with growing satisfaction the change in Conservative policy on the area in recent years, they would like a more “positive” stand on Palestinian involvement in the peace moves.

Mrs Thatcher is likely to face close questioning on this point when she faces her press conference here before leaving for the Syrian leg of the tour. Her lot has been made all the more difficult by reports in Egyptian newspapers that Mr Patrick Jenkin, her energy spokesman, told a Kuwait press conference the PLO should be included in all talks on peace in the area.

According to officials travelling with Mrs Thatcher, the first she heard of it was from the accounts in the newspapers. As Conservative policy goes only as far as saying that the PLO must be taken into account and that the Palestinians need their own state at some stage, it is out of line if reported correctly.

So far party officials have been able to determine only that the reported remarks were not in the form of a statement, but came in answer to a question put to Mr Jenkin in Kuwait. Mr Jenkin has gone on to Syria and could not be reached because, as a member of Mrs Thatcher's party put it, he has “travelled to parts farther cast” .

In spite of the fact that a clarification might be considered vital to both the Egyptians and the Syrians, it is said that Mrs Thatcher has not been asked for one by President Sadat or by Mr Fahmi, his Foreign Minister.

“From our point of view, the most important aspect of Mrs Thatcher's visit is that both sides have got to know each other” , a Foreign Ministry official said. “We realize that there are limitations. This is an investment.”