asked the Minister for External Affairs if, in view of the most recent statement of the South African Foreign Minister to the effect that South Africa would tolerate no interference by the United Nations in South West African territories, his own proposals for a commission to be set up to issue recommendations is now practicable.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - South West African Territories.
5.
Mr. O'Leary
The statement by the Foreign Minister of South Africa in no way affects the practicability of the suggestion I made on 3rd October concerning the draft Resolution on South West Africa. The texts of the draft and of my speech have been placed in the Dáil Library.
Mr. O'Leary
It seems to me to be impracticable to be talking about setting up a commission if the South African Foreign Minister says that he has no intention of paying any regard to any commission. While the Minister for External Affairs may have the most admirable reasons, it seems to me that it is a waste of time that he should be setting up such a commission.
The Deputy is aware that the amendment of the Minister for External Affairs arose from a motion put down by African countries. The Minister's amendment attracted support from a wide variety of nations, including Western European and South American countries. I think it is only to be expected that any initiative on the setting up of a commission, or whatever it might be called, would be resisted by South Africa, but nevertheless the fact remains that the United Nations regard the situation as still within their ambit.