asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether through our membership of the United Nations we are actively supporting the revitalising of the Central America areas formula for peace in that region.
Written Answers. - Central America Areas Formula
45.
We were part of the consensus in the United Nations General Assembly by which, in September 1987, a resolution welcoming and expressing support for the "Esquipulas II" Agreement of 7 August 1987 between the five Central American States was adopted. President Arias of Costa Rica was the architect of that agreement.
The International Verification and Follow-Up Commission for which provision was made in the agreement included the Secretary General of the United Nations. When the Central American States in January 1988 transferred the functions of that commission to an executive commission comprising only their foreign ministers, the UN Secretary General ceased to have a formal role.
In recent months the Central American States have been discussing with the Secretary General the possibility of UN assistance in verifying the provisions of the "Esquipulas II" Agreement regarding the cessation of aid to irregular forces or insurrectionist movements from outside the countries of Central America in which there are armed conflicts. Earlier this month agreement was reached between the Central American States and the UN Secretary General, subject to Security Council approval, on the creation of an international verification group with a checking and observation function. The Secretary General and the Central American States are to work out in detail the terms of reference of this verification group.
This agreement and other measures agreed by the five Central American Presidents at their meeting in EL Salvador earlier this month are a very welcome political and psychological boost to the peace process. The Twelve have issued a statement welcoming these developments.
We avail of every opportunity, at the UN and elsewhere, to indicate support for the "Esquipulas II" Agreement and to urge the Central American States to maintain their efforts to implement it in full. Together with our EC partners we will again be expressing support and encouragement for the Central American Governments at the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Twelve, the Central American States and the States of the Contadora group in Honduras on 27 and 28 February 1989.