asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's position on the current situation in Afghanistan; if the Government accept the need for a permanent political settlement there and the establishment of a coalition Government, including the NDPA, as, if the present Government are overthrown it is likely that military conflict will continue; if the Government will establish a mediation group of neutral countries to attempt to secure peace and establish a transitional period until democratic nation-wide elections can take place; if the Government will make an immediate appeal to rival parties to cease hostilities and to begin the process of negotiations with a view to the formation of a coalition Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Conflict in Afghanistan.
In their statement on 31 December 1988 on the occasion of the ninth anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan by Soviet forces, Ireland and her partners in the European Community noted that possibilities now exist for finding a political solution to the conflict and that there are numerous indications which seem to justify the hope that henceforth the Afghan people may regain their independence and control of their own destiny.
Along with our partners in the Twelve we found particularly encouraging the decision of the Soviet Government to engage in enlarged consultations, including representatives of the resistance, with a view to preparing for the establishment of a government which would be representative of, and acceptable to, all sides.
The statement of 31 December last called upon all sides concerned to implement the Geneva Accords and, in particular, the Soviet Union to respect its undertaking to proceed with a full withdrawal of its forces from Afghan territory before 15 February 1989.
Ireland, along with the rest of the Twelve, declared on the occasion of the conclusion of the Geneva Accords that, in order to permit the restoration of genuine peace, the withdrawal of Soviet troops and the unimpeded return of refugees must be accompanied by an overall political settlement of the crisis. In a subsequent Declaration the Twelve stated that the full withdrawal of Soviet forces is essential to give the Afghan people an opportunity to determine their own future. The key to peace in Afghanistan will be the establishment of a truly representative government by a genuine act of self-determination. The formation of such a government is the responsibility of the Afghan people.
Ireland is participating in the UN Good Offices Mission in Afghanistan and Pakistan which was established to support the good-offices role of the Secretary-General in overseeing implementation of the Geneva Accords. Ireland does not intend to undertake a mission of mediation outside the United Nations framework. We support the call of the UN Secretary-General for efforts by the Afghan parties themselves to ensure a satisfactory transition. In his statement of 1 February 1989, he called on all Afghans to rise to this historic occasion and to resolve their differences peaceably, for the sake of Afghanistan and its people, through an intra-Afghan dialogue for the purpose of establishing a broad-based government. Only a comprehensive political solution, he said, would create the necessary conditions for the millions of suffering refugees to return voluntarily to their homeland, in safety and honour.
Afghanistan has been devastated by a war lasting nine years. Ireland and the other members of the European Community have called on all parties, including the resistance, to exercise moderation and realism in the search for a comprehensive settlement.