asked the Taoiseach if, in view of the Government's efforts at the United Nations Security Council to secure peace and an immediate end to hostilities in the Falkland Islands crisis, he will avail himself of Ireland's membership of the United Nations Security Council to make similar efforts to bring an end to the 18 month war between Iran and Iraq.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Iran-Iraq Hostilities.
1.
With regard to the conflict in the South Atlantic, the Government have from the outset actively sought to ensure that the resources of the United Nations, which we have always regarded as the pre-eminent forum for the resolution of disputes and the prevention of armed conflict, should be brought fully into play. In this connection, the Deputy will be aware of my statement yesterday in which I indicated the Government's welcome for the role being played by the Secretary-General of the United Nations and their hope that his efforts will meet with success.
Turning to the military confrontation between Iraq and Iran, it will be recalled that on 23 September 1980, Ireland joined with our partners in the European Communities in expressing our concern at this confrontation. On that occasion also, the Nine approved of the call made by the Secretary-General of the Islamic Conference for an immediate cease-fire; and with reference to the consultations undertaken by the then Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kurt Waldheim, declared their willingness to support any international initiative aimed at encouraging a political settlement of the dispute. In addition, we agreed with our partners to continue to follow developments with the closest attention and to remain prepared to support the search for a solution.
In line with this stance, Ireland has welcomed the mediation efforts undertaken under the aegis of the United Nations Secretary-General by the former Prime Minister of Sweden, Mr. Olaf Palme. Mr. Palme, as special emissary of both the present Secretary-General and his predecessor, has made five visits to the area of conflict — the most recent being at the end of February last — and the Security Council is regularly briefed by the Secretary-General on the progress of Mr. Palme's efforts.
In addition to United Nations involvement, there have of course been extensive efforts by both the Non-Aligned Movement and the Islamic Conference Organisation to end the fighting and bring about a resolution of the differences between Iraq and Iran by negotiation. The Secretary-General reviewed the possibilities for each of these mediation efforts when I met him in New York last March.
The position, then is that a variety of efforts, including in particular, a continuing effort in the United Nations framework, has been under way to end the confrontation between the two countries. Sadly, however, the differences between the two sides have so far prevented these efforts from being successful.
The Government are of course deeply concerned at the loss of life and material damage which has been suffered in this conflict. I join with others who have appealed for an immediate cease-fire and negotiations to end the conflict.
In view of our membership of the United Nations Security Council, the Government naturally keep under review all major issues of international tension or conflict with particular regard to whether there is any step open to us to ease tension or end conflict.
Given our deep and continuing concern with the conflict to which the Deputy has referred, and our consistent support for the role of the United Nations, I can assure the Deputy that we shall certainly avail of Ireland's membership of the Security Council to contribute at any time and in any way that seems likely to be helpful to the restoration of peace between these two countries.
Would it be possible for the Taoiseach to state whether, in view of the escalation of hostilities reported between Iraq and Iran during the past week, he would give immediate instructions to our representative at the United Nations to take some initiative at that level? I ask this question since the situation would appear to be that there is a conference convened in Baghdad for September of the Non-aligned nations and since there is now serious doubt that that conference will take place if these hostilities continue.
Yes, I appreciate the point of view the Deputy is putting forward. It would not be necessary for us to issue any specific direction to our representative at the United Nations and on the Security Council because our policy is well known and our representative there keeps in constant touch with the situation. As a matter of fact, I discussed it again fully with him, arising out of the Deputy's question, and the Deputy can be assured that if at any time any specific or particular action can be taken by our representative, that will be taken.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Apparently the representative is more reliable than some of the Taoiseach's Ministers.
Might I ask the Taoiseach whether, in the context of his description of the conflict between Iraq and Iran as a confrontation, he would not agree that a more accurate description would be a naked and unprovoked war of aggression on the part of Iraq against Iran? In those circumstances might I ask the Taoiseach whether he would approve of the imposition of sanctions against the aggressor nation, Iraq, in that conflict, in like manner as was done in the case of the South Atlantic conflict?
I think any such statement by me, or any such action by us, would be most unhelpful in present circumstances. I should just like to repeat that any resources at our disposal should be directed towards securing cessation of hostilities and an end to the conflict.
In view of the very strong moves the Government have taken in respect of the Falklands crisis which, to my mind, is not nearly as serious a situation as that existing in the Gulf and the inherent dangers in the Gulf situation to world peace — most observers agree that it constitutes a flashpoint between the two world powers — would it not be possible at this stage for the Government to take at least the same strong public moves at the United Nations in order to deal with that situation? Would the Taoiseach agree that there would seem to be an imbalanced approach here, that we are concerned to the extent of taking the matter up publicly at the United Nations in relation to the Falklands crisis while no apparent moves are being taken in relation to the conflict between Iraq and Iran?
In any of these situations it is necessary to be very careful and as wise as possible in order to ensure that any action taken might not be counter-productive. In the UN at the moment in regard to the Falklands crisis our aim at present is to give every support possible to the efforts of the Secretary-General. The Deputy will understand that Mr. Palme is a special emissary of the Secretary-General to the Middle East situation, to the Iran-Iraq conflict, and therefore at present at any rate it would seem that the best thing we can be doing is assisting Mr. Palme in his efforts. Unfortunately, we must all acknowledge that so far his efforts have not met with any great degree of success. The best thing we can do as long as Mr. Palme is acting as special emissary of the Secretary-General is to endeavour to use our good offices on both sides — and we have good offices on both sides — to encourage a settlement by means of Mr. Palme's efforts.
Would the Taoiseach consider using his good offices to issue a request to Iraq that as a move towards peace in that area they would withdraw their forces behind their own boundaries?
I can only repeat that any action of that sort which would appear to be a unilateral move by us on one side or the other would not be helpful.
Would the Taoiseach indicate what distinction he is trying to make between our decision to support Resolution 502 calling on the Argentines to withdraw from the Falklands and the proposal that the aggressor in this instance withdraw to the territory of Iraq? I do not think anybody in the House understands what the distinction is that the Taoiseach intends.
There are no British there.
Anybody who has studied the situation would, I think, recognise that the best contribution we can make is to try to use our good offices in regard to both countries which are engaged in the conflict in the Middle East and that it would be most unhelpful to intervene in any way which would appear to take sides in the issue and that the sensible thing is to endeavour to support Mr. Palme in his efforts.
I have asked the Taoiseach and I would ask him to reply and explain to the House the nature of the distinction that he is making between the two cases of aggression in respect of one of which we have with the full support of parties in this House called for the withdrawal of the aggressor and in the other of which he has expressed the view that it is inappropriate to do so? Could the Taoiseach explain why there is a different approach in the two cases?
I do not necessarily see that the two situations are at all similar or that our action and activity in regard to the two separate situations need necessarily be along the same lines. Each of these situations of world conflict must be looked on by itself, on its own merits and having regard to the elements obtaining in any particular situation. That is what we endeavour to do. In regard to the Middle East conflict about which this question is addressed to me, I believe the best thing we can do at this stage of that conflict is to support the special emissary of the UN Secretary-General. In regard to the Falklands crisis our attitude again is quite clear and consistent. We believe that we should now concentrate on encouraging and supporting the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to secure a peaceful diplomatic settlement.
If the Taoiseach says he cannot see any similarity in the two situations would he tell us wherein lies the difference as in each case a country with a territorial claim pursued that claim by aggression? What is the difference that has led the Taoiseach to act differently in the two cases?
I do not think I am called upon here to elaborate in any detail on the special aspects of two different areas of conflict——
You are called upon; I have just called upon you.
Sufficient for us is the fact that these two conflicts do exist, both causing loss of life, both having inherent in them a danger to world peace and therefore what we should do in relation to both separate conflicts is approach them as separate issues and be as constructive as we can in regard to both in trying to ensure a cessation of hostilities and the restoration of peace.
Would the Taoiseach agree that as in the case of the conflict between Iran and Iraq there is need to be as careful and as wise as possible in our approaches to ensure that any action taken is not counter-productive. In the context of the Falklands crisis there is a need to be careful and wise to ensure as far as possible that any ministerial pronouncements or Government statements made are not counter-productive in securing peace in the region?
I have no doubt whatever that our action in regard to the Falklands crisis at every level is helpful and constructive and is entirely in accord with our traditions as a peace-loving member of the community of nations. I regret very much that the Opposition for their own petty party political purposes should seek to adopt this peevish obstructive attitude in regard to our efforts.
(Interruptions.)
Did not your own Minister——
We are not having a debate on this. A final supplementary from Deputy Desmond.
May I ask the Taoiseach, since he has reduced it to this level of reply, would his contacts with Iraq, his personal contacts and his visit to Iraq which was postponed when he was leader of the Opposition, have any bearing on his current attitude to this matter?
My attitude to this matter is dictated entirely by my wish to see an end to any conflict in any part of the world where it exists. I would endeavour in this situation to act as responsibly and constructively as possible and in so far as I have any contact on either side of the conflict to use those contacts in trying to support the mission of the emissary of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.