asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that since the appointment of Colonel Eugenio Vides Cassanova as Minister for Defence in El Salvador who up to his appointment as Minister was head of the National Guard, the number of people killed per week is higher than 200 and the number of abductions has reached 20 per week, according to figures released by Archbishop Rivera Damas of San Salvador, and that again in May, the Salvadorean Army carried out indiscriminate artillery attacks against civilian areas in the eastern part of the country causing over 100,000 civilians to abandon their homes; if, in view of the deteriorating situation, he will raise the matter at the next meeting of EEC Foreign Ministers with a view to urging the Governments of El Salvador and the United States to enter into negotiations with the FLMN/FDR with a view to bringing peace and human rights to El Salvador; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - El Salvador Killings.
As far as I am aware Colonel Cassanova assumed office on 18 April of this year. Both before and since that date, I have followed with concern the continuing conflict within El Salvador and the serious human rights situation there. One aspect of the conflict which causes particular concern is the suffering which is being experienced by innocent civilians and the large scale displacements of population within El Salvador.
As I started in the Dáil on 26 April, the Government's policy in relation to Central America in essence has three main objectives:
—first, the furtherance of respect for human rights;
—second, the promotion of essential social and economic reforms;
—third, support for the creation of the necessary political and diplomatic basis for a peaceful settlement to conflict and tension in the area.
These objectives apply with particular force to the situation in El Salvador.
It is our view, as I stated to the Dáil on 26 April, that negotiations should be held between the representatives of both sides engaged in the conflict in El Salvador. Such negotiations should aim at achieving a peaceful political solution to the conflict in that country and make way for the holding of genuinely free elections in which all political parties could participate.
In so far as action by the ten member states of the European Community is concerned, I wish to inform the Deputy that the situation in Central America was discussed at the recent Stuttgart meeting of the European Council, and that an important statement on Central America was issued as part of the conclusions of the European Council. Ireland actively sought the issuing of such a statement and participated fully in its preparation. The statement reads as follows:
The Heads of State and Government confirmed their close interests in developments in Central America. They are deeply concerned at the economic and social conditions in many parts of the region, at the tensions which these create and at the widespread misery and bloodshed.
They are convinced that the problems of Central America cannot be solved by military means, but only by a political solution springing from the region itself and respecting the principles of non-interference and inviolability of frontiers. They, therefore, fully support the current initiative of the Contadora Group. They underlined the need for the establishment of democratic conditions and for the strict observance of human rights throughout the region.
They are ready to continue contributing to the further development in the area, in order to promote progress towards stability.
Finally, the Deputy may wish to be aware, as recently announced by the Minister of State at my Department, that the Government has allocated grants totalling £40,000 from the Disaster Relief Fund to Central America in view of its rapidly growing refugee problem. This amount is intended to assist displaced persons in El Salvador; and Salvadorean and other refugees in various Central American countries.