asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the basis of his reported criticism of the foreign policy of the United States towards Spain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign Policy Criticisms.
23.
By the words "reported criticism" I presume the Deputy is referring to an article in The Irish Times of October 10th, 1975, which carried the somewhat misleading heading “FitzGerald attacks US on France”. The fact is that at a press conference in Washington on October 9th, I expressed my concern about the possible danger that the timing of the renegotiation of the agreement on military bases between the US and Spain could be seen in Spain, and elsewhere, as support for the regime then in existence in Spain and might, therefore, prejudice future American-Spanish relations.
In view of the criticism levelled against his own policy, does the Minister not consider it was a little insensitive and indelicate of him to be so presumptuous as to criticise United States policy?
I was not criticising United States policy.
The Minister expressed his concern about the policy which is another way of saying the same thing.
I was asked a question at the Press conference and I replied to it. My concern was the fact that by a coincidence of timing the renewal of the base agreements between Spain and the US coincided with the period of the executions when there was strong European feeling on the subject. This coincidence could create a harmful situation, where the United States action in signing the agreements—although forced on them by the time scale— might have had the effect of giving a wrong impression of American attitudes and it might be unhelpful to relations between the US Government and a future Spanish regime. In reply to a question I indicated my concern because the importance of good relations between the United States and European countries is evident to all of us.
Did the Minister express his concern to the US Government before spontaneously and freely expressing that concern——
I was answering questions about matters that were discussed between myself and the American Secretary of State and this was one of them.
The Minister had expressed his concern and criticism to the United States?
I had a discussion on the lines I mentioned to the Deputy just now.