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Proceeding contribution from Bob Spink (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Thursday, 24 January 2008. It occurred during Adjournment debate on Global Security (Middle East).


Global Security (Middle East)

I pay tribute to hon. Gentleman for a substantial and balanced report. I know that getting the balance right must have been difficult, but we have to tread gently. May I refer him to paragraph 158? The Minister for the Middle East, the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Dr. Howells) stated that"““the most progressive elements among the chattering classes, or the political classes, are very worried about the prospect of greater democracy””—" which the hon. Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) was talking about. He went on:"““They are very worried about the distinct possibility that the extreme Islamic parties could make great progress if the elections were freer and fairer, and that the secular state of Egypt, as it exists at the moment, would come under great threat.””" We must tread very gently—there is a fine balance.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
470 c502-3WH 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
Westminster Hall
Subjects
Iraq Foreign policy Terrorism Security USA Israel Palestine Iran Syria Middle East Gaza Hamas
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk