asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is prepared to recognise the results of the recent elections held in the State of Rhodesia.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rhodesian Election Results.
8.
The Government do not believe that the elections which were held in Rhodesia during April under constitutional arrangements introduced by the Smith régime can form a satisfactory basis for the resolution of the conflict and the accession of Zimbabwe to independence based on genuine majority rule. This objective can in my view only be achieved in a process which involves the parties concerned, including the Patriotic Front, and which permits all the people of Zimbabwe to decide their own future, freely and fairly under international supervision.
In this context, I should recall that the United Nation's Security Council, in its Resolution 448 of 30 April, declared the election and its results null and void and called on all States not to accord recognition to any representative of, or organ established by, that process and to observe strictly the mandatory sanctions against Southern Rhodesia. The Government will continue to be guided by decisions of the Security Council.
In view of the fact that yesterday the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach indicated that the only State in Africa with which we had a balance of payments was Rhodesia, and in view of the fact that we are trading with Rhodesia——
A question, Deputy, please.
Is the Minister aware that the Congress of the United States in the past 24 hours have reversed the decision of President Carter not to lift sanctions? Would he not consider that further consideration should be given to the validity of the elections held in Rhodesia to effect majority rule——
The Deputy must not make a speech.
Is the Minister aware that recently in the United Kingdom only 33 per cent of the people voted in an election which will be recognised by his Government?
I will bear in mind what the Deputy states but we are moving in accordance with our United Nations responsibilities and in accordance with the resolution of the UN Security Council of 30 April and that is the only responsible attitude to adopt in the circumstances.
Is the Minister aware that the sub-committee of the Tory Government have alleged that it is indicated that these elections were held in a fair and democratic fashion in so far as the circumstances would allow and that the indications would be that the Conservative Government in the United Kingdom will look favourably upon the new black majority rule in Rhodesia?
We cannot have an argument about foreign political elections. I am calling the next question.
What efforts have the Irish Government made to find out the facts in Rhodesia? Are we dependent solely on second- and third-hand accounts of what is going on?
I need not emphasise to the House that this is a highly sensitive issue and can be approached by a small country such as ours only in the context of the United Nations approach. We are doing so and acting in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolution.
Does the Government agree that 65 per cent of the public in Rhodesia voted in favour of the new government?
I do not want to get into an argument about the elections in Zimbabwe.
(Interruptions.)
I appreciate the Government's attitude in regard to the United Nations and I accept that it is the correct one at present. Do the Government intend to make any efforts to have this resolution amended in any way?
It depends on the way the situation develops in Zimbabwe. It is a very fluid, sensitive situation and I do not think we are competent here in this House at the moment to comment in an idle way about it. It is a very difficult situation.
Is the Minister passing over the moral responsibility for these decisions?
Is the Minister aware that by not attempting to amend the United Nations resolution the Government are in fact giving tacit support to the terrorist Cuban/Russian-backed organisations in the State of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia?
The Patriotic Front are a party and a group in Zimbabwe. They are to be taken account of; they just cannot be wished out of the way. If there is going to be genuine progress towards independence they will have to be included in the reckoning and the organisation of Zimbabwe.
Were they excluded from these elections?
Yes.