asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the recently reported resumption of sales of lethal military armoury to the military junta in El Salvador, discontinued temporarily following the murder of four nuns, the Government will consider using our new and influential membership of the Security Council of the UN to call on the US to cease supplying such armoury to this junta, one of whose members, General Casanova, is reported to have said that they intend to kill 150,000 Salvadorean citizens.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - El Salvador Arms Sales.
16.
The Deputy may wish to recall the reply I gave him to a substantially similar question on his part in the House last month. I said then that our delegation at the United Nations had played a key role in preparing a resolution, eventually tabled and adopted, which called for the observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms in El Salvador. The resolution called on governments to refrain from supplying arms and other military assistance to El Salvador. The resolution requested the Commission on Human Rights to examine at its current session the situation regarding human rights there and we would, of course, be prepared to examine any possible means open to us of helping to alleviate the situation in El Salvador at the Commission.
I think this is the most responsible and effective way of expressing our opinions and exercising pressure to ensure that human rights are respected in the tragic situation which El Salvador finds itself in today.
The question I put down included an extraordinary statement about the genocidal murder of 150,000 citizens of El Salvador. I agree that we made representations as a member of the United Nations but now we have considerable power in that we are a member of the Security Council. No doubt there are a lot of untruths on both sides. The only way we can get at the truth and exercise real power is through our position on the Security Council. In the light of the appalling situation in El Salvador I ask the Minister to take serious action. America has virtually declared war on this unfortunate tiny country.
As the House knows, we have taken a prominent lead in passing a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly. Secondly, we are in constant communication with friendly Latin American countries who take the same view as we do. Two of the countries are represented on the Security Council, namely, Panama and Mexico. We work within the United Nations and particularly within the Security Council with those two countries and we will be guided by them in whatever appropriate action it may be necessary to take in the Security Council.
Since the Minister last answered questions in this House the United States has signalled its intention to resupply arms to the junta in El Salvador. Will the Minister indicate to the House if Ireland unilaterally, without reference to anybody else including Prime Minister Thatcher, is prepared to raise specifically in the Security Council the question of the continued supply of arms by the United States Government to the junta regime in El Salvador? I want an answer — yes or no.
Perhaps the Deputy will allow the Minister an opportunity to reply.
The Minister is long enough in the game to give an answer. We do not want any more evasion. We have had that all day.
I take it there is no contention in this House regarding the serious situation in El Salvador.
I am asking the Minister to give a straight answer.
In the Security Council we will take appropriate action in consultation with friendly South American countries: I mentioned in particular Panama and Mexico. The Commission on Human Rights has been meeting in Geneva since 3 February and will continue until 13 March. We will be taking action at those meetings. We are taking action in consultation with other countries involved. That is the way we are proceeding on foot of the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly.
The House appreciates the position the Minister has taken on this matter and the stand Ireland has taken in the General Assembly while being under, though ignoring, intense pressure from the United States. Did I understand correctly from the Minister — I could not quite hear his words — that we intend in conjunction with the two Latin American countries to raise this matter in the Security Council? Secondly, have we raised or are we going to raise the matter in the European political co-operation framework?
We have raised it in the European political co-operation framework. However, the difficult part is to move in co-operation with our Latin American friends, the people most immediately involved. We are having informal contacts with the two countries I mentioned in order to decide on the timing of raising the matter in the Security Council. In the meantime, this matter is down for discussion at the meeting of the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva and we will take an initiative there.
What about the statement of General Casanova——
I am calling Deputy Quinn.
General Casanova is reported to have said they intend to kill 150,000 people——
I have called Deputy Quinn. Will the Minister please take note of that fact?
I have not heard from him yet.
Perhaps the Minister would translate for people like myself who are still serving an apprenticeship what is meant by the phrase "taking appropriate action"? Does it mean that the matter will be raised in the Security Council? Secondly, if I heard Deputy Browne correctly, is the Minister in a position to confirm or deny what General Casanova is reported to have said, as set out in the question?
I am not going to defend some of the outrageous actions that have been taken in the country. I share the concern of other Members regarding the situation in El Salvador. As regards taking appropriate action, this is a matter for informal soundings and diplomacy. This is the way it works — Deputy FitzGerald knows that. There are two countries on the Security Council who are much closer to the scene and who are well disposed towards El Salvador. In fact, the opposition to the regime is based in Mexico City and functions out of that city. We take advice from those countries.
What about taking advice from Irish missionaries?
I want to verify whether the statement of Casanova is true. It is so appalling it is difficult to believe.
I share that view.
I am calling Question No. 17.