asked the Minister for External Affairs if, having regard to growing public unease, he will now make strong representations in the United Nations and elsewhere to bring about an end to the bombing and shelling of hospitals and civilian institutions and populated areas in Biafra; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bombing of Biafra.
2.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is that we have always made the strongest representations to the Nigerian Government, whenever it has been reported that their planes had dropped bombs on hospitals or on civilian institutions or areas. The most recent occasions were on the morning of the 27th February when it was reported that Federal military planes had killed civilians at Ozuabam and yesterday when I learned of the attack on Umuahia.
The General Assembly of the United Nations is not in session but the Secretary General has had a special representative in Nigeria for the last seven months whose duty is to co-ordinate relief activities, visit the war-affected areas and keep the Secretary General informed on all aspects of the situation.
Is the Minister satisfied that the Nigerian Government are in any way concerned about the unease that exists throughout the world at the persistent action on the part of the Nigerian military authorities in attacking defenceless civilians in Biafra, or can the Minister hold out any hope of any improvement in the behaviour of the Nigerian authorities? If such improvement is not forthcoming, would the Minister consider taking more effective action to ensure that United Nations concern in this matter is matched with action to prevent the further slaughter of innocent people in Biafra?
In the many conversations I had with representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria they informed me that strict instructions have been given to air pilots not to attack non-military objectives. There had been a lull for several months until quite recently. In the recent conversations I have had with the Federal Government representatives they pointed out that Colonel Ojukwu's forces re-started the aerial bombing by air attacks on Benin. Indeed, they say that aerial bombing was first started a couple of years ago when Colonel Ojukwu's aeroplanes bombed Lagos. However, I am satisfied from my conversations with the representatives of the Federal Government that they have given strict instructions that civilian concentrations and civilian areas, hospitals and so one, should not be bombed.
Does the Minister not consider that that instruction was certainly violated recently on a number of occasions and that if the instruction was given it is not being observed?
Yes, I am satisfied that on a few occasions civilian areas have been bombed.
I know that the Minister has mentioned before his feeling that United Nations intervention would not be helpful without the Organisation of African States specifically requesting this, but does he think, in view of the long siege of the Biafran area and the remoteness of this war ending, that he should reconsider the whole approach of the Government to initiating a move for United Nations mediation in this disgraceful and squalid war?
All wars are disgraceful and squalid. Europeans cannot talk that way to Africans to any great effect. In my opinion, the United Nations General Assembly will not take up this question of civil war in Nigeria. One or two delegations attempted to bring the matter up but the representative of the Federal Republic objected and thereafter during the whole session the question was not raised.
(Interruptions.)
Would the Minister not consider making direct representations to the British Government not to supply arms to the military authorities there?
That seems to be a separate question.
Arms are supplied by more than one country to more than one side. It is a very complicated situation and many outsiders have their fingers in the pie. I do not think that any of the present suppliers of arms to either side would be willing to stop supplying unless all other suppliers ceased and unless the delivery of arms to the other side were stopped effectively.
Question No. 3.
The Minister will be aware that there is a discussion in the House of Commons today on this matter and strong pressures will be exerted on the British Government to cease supplying arms to Nigeria. In view of the fact that both Russia and Britain are contributing to the continuance of this war, does the Minister not consider that it would be time, in view of our attempt at impartiality and neutrality, to call for United Nations mediation?
More than the British and the Russians are contributing arms.
Is the heart of this matter not the fact that the Federal Government are employing mercenary pilots over whom they do not exercise full control and that if the mercenaries could be withdrawn from this conflict the likelihood of a more civilised procedure and ultimate peace would probably be greatly advanced? Does the Minister believe our Government could do anything to promote the elimination of the employment of mercenaries on either side in this tragic conflict?
Well, I had quite a long conversation with a Federal Minister on that subject. I raised the question whether some of this bombing was not due to the fact that the pilots came from a certain country. Recently the best of my information is that all the pilots in recent months are actually Nigerian officers.
Therefore, responsibility can be squarely set from this on.