Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 Mar 1990

Vol. 396 No. 9

Written Answers. - US Intervention in Panama.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

20 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations which were made to the United States Government in relation to the United States violation of the diplomatic status of the Nicaraguan Embassy in Panama during the recent invasion of that country; if no statement was issued, the reason none was deemed necessary given that statements were issued by France and Spain, the then President and previous President of the EC Council of Ministers respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

30 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Ireland abstained in the vote in the United Nations General Assembly condemning the invasion by the United States of Panama, especially in view of this country's stated position of support for the principle of non-intervention in the affairs of other countries; if any representations were made to the United States concerning the invasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Peter Barry

Question:

63 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had discussions with the United States authorities regarding the events in Panama; whether the United States administration gave a justification for the invasion, the occupation of the Nicaraguan Embassy and the circumstances surrounding the arrest of General Noriega; and if he will make a Statement on the matter.

Toddy O'Sullivan

Question:

68 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations, if any, which he made on behalf of the Irish Government and the Irish people to the Government of the United States in respect of the illegal invasions of the Republic of Panama; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 30, 63 and 68 together.

Against the background of the provisions of the UN Charter, any possible military intervention by one state in the affairs of another is a matter of grave concern. We would normally support a UN Resolution deploring such action and have done so in the past. In this case however we had to take into consideration certain exceptional circumstances. General Noriega had disallowed democratically-held elections and refused to hand over power to a legitimate Government. The Twelve on 11 May 1989, condemned the annulment of the elections and on 20 September 1989 they declared that the Noriega regime had no institutional legitmacy. There were also serious accusations of involvement by the Noriega regime in narcotics trafficking. Panama had declared itself at war with the US, which has special treaty responsibilities in the Canal Zone. The Government returned by the democratically-held election of May 1989 was consulted in advance of the US action and subsequently endorsed it. In view of these factors it was decided that an abstention was the appropriate position on our part.

The US authorities informed us of the reasons for their action immediately after the intervention. Our position was subsequently stated publicly. I understand that US forces have now been withdrawn.

Ireland is a party to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic and Consular Relations which provides that diplomatic missions shall be inviolable. We can only deplore violations of the provisions of the Convention.