I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 15, 17, 23, 27, 41, and 61, together.
With the adoption by the United Nations Security Council of Resolution 632 on 16 February 1989 the final step was taken allowing for the implementation of the UN plan for the transition of Namibia to independence contained in Security Council Resolution 435 of 1978. It will be recalled that Resolution 632 was adopted following the agreements reached last year between Angola, Cuba and South Africa which provided for the withdrawal of Cuban Troops from Angola and opened the way for independence in Namibia on the basis of Resolution 435. The date set for implementation to begin was 1 April 1989.
Under Resolution 632 adopted on 16 February last, the Security Council approved the dispatch of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG). The military component is to comprise 7,500 persons of which, on the proposal of the Secretary-General, 4,650 will be deployed initially, with 2,350 remaining in reserve. The deployment of the contingent within this limit is the responsibility of the Secretary-General. The Government attach importance to the Secretary-General's views on the operational requirements of the force. While the Secretary-General proposed the initial deployment of 4,650, he has stated that he intends to keep the deployment and the size of the military component of UNTAG under review. He has promised to inform the Security Council if the situation in Namibia should require the deployment of additional military personnel.
In accordance with the terms of the agreement between the parties enshrined in the Geneva Protocol of 5 August 1988, and confirmed to the United Nations Secretary-General by both SWAPO and South Africa, a formal ceasefire was to come into effect as of 0400 GMT on 1 April. Also, by this date South African troops were to have been confined to bases and SWAPO forces to have withdrawn to bases in Angola North of the 16th Parallel. However, on 1 April SWAPO was found to have infiltrated a large number of armed personnel and material into Namibia. In view of the situation which rapidly developed on the ground, the UN Secretary-General, upon the joint recommendation of his special representative and the UNTAG force commander, agreed to a limited and temporary suspension in respect of certain specified South African Army units, or the requirement that all forces be confined to bases. This was agreed to enable additional support to be provided to the Namibian police where necessary. It was further agreed with the South African Administrator-General that the situation would be kept under continuous review and that the movement out of bases would be monitored throughout by UNTAG military observers. I believe it must be left up to the United Nations to determine in the light of the developing situation on the ground when the terms of this temporary derogation from the agreements are rendered inoperative.
The events since 1 April are naturally disturbing and it is the Government's fervent hope that the agreement reached between South Africa, Angola and Cuba at Mount Etjo on 9 April on the return of SWAPO forces to Angola and their confinement to bases there will ease tensions in the immediate term and allow the implementation of Resolution 435 to remain on course. In a statement on 6 April the Twelve, in expressing concern at the fighting on the border with Angola, stressed the fundamental importance attaching to the scrupulous respect by all parties of the relevant resolutions of the United Nations and of the agreements entered into. I believe we must now await further developments before we can judge whether the UN plan is still on course. In this regard, we, together with our partners in the Twelve, have reiterated our unqualified support for the United Nations Secretary-General, his special representative and for UNTAG.
As Deputies will be aware, Ireland is contributing to the UNTAG operation through the provision of 20 Defence Force personnel as military observers as well as 35 Garda officers, who will form part of the civilian police contingent headed by former assistant Garda commissioner, Mr. Stephen Fanning. The direction of operations on the ground and the security of UNTAG personnel is of course a matter for the UN Secretary-General, his special representative and the UNTAG force commander. The Government will naturally monitor developments in the implementation of the UN plan continuously.
The Government are not aware of any request for parliamentary observers. The Government would of course lend their full support to any proposals of this nature.
The United Nations appeal for funding support for their programme or repatriation of refugees to Namibia has already met with a very generous response from the international community. That included a pledge of 1.75m ECU from the EC to which Ireland as a member state is a contributor. Provision has been made by the EC for a community plan of 10m ECU in favour of Namibia. The UN have undertaken to make a technical assessment of any further relief needs and to bring the results to the attention of the international community. In the circumstances, there is no need at present for any initiative at United Nations level in respect of extra support for refugees returning to Namibia. My Department will, however, continue to keep the situation under review.
Regarding the terms of Resolution 435, I am aware of certain concerns which have been expressed. Among these concerns are those expressed by Deputies regarding voting arrangements, visas for observers, infrastructure, utilities and state services in Namibia. Resolution 435 is, like all Security Council Resolutions, binding on all members of the United Nations. It sought to establish the board framework of a settlement. Since 1978, efforts have continued to develop this framework in an attempt to bring the parties to a negotiated solution. Following the agreements reached in late 1988, the Security Council was able to take the necessary action to initiate the plan for the independence of Namibia established in Resolution 435. While South Africa has undeniably a central role to play in the implementation of the UN plan for independence, the overall authority of the United Nations was restated in Resolution 435. This makes it clear that the transition process in Namibia is being carried out under the responsibility of the Security Council and under the direction of the Secretary-General, assisted by the special representative and the force commander in Namibia. Resolution 435 reaffirmed the mandate of the UN special representative to "ensure the early independence of Namibia through free elections under the supervision and control of the United Nations". The Government have every confidence in the United Nations' ability to implement their mandate.