Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 31 Oct 1990

Vol. 402 No. 3

Written Answers. - Middle East Conflict.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

36 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the Government's response to the renewed call by President Mitterand for an international peace conference to seek a solution to the problems of the Middle East, and especially the question of a Palestinian homeland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

The European Council held in Rome on 27 and 28 October, reaffirmed the long-standing commitment of the Community and its member states to seek a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the Palestinian problem in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and with the principles set out in the Venice and Madrid Declarations. To this end the Community has long supported the principle of the convening, at an appropriate time of an international peace conference.

The Government believe that such a solution — guaranteeing both the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, with all that this implies, and the right of all countries of the region, including Israel to exist within secure recognised borders — is the path to peace. President Mitterand's comments reflect established Twelve support for the principle of a settlement which should be found in the framework of an international peace conference under the auspices of the United Nations.

The Council said that the tragic events that occurred in Jerusalem show once more that thestatus quo in the Occupied Territories cannot be sustained. It welcomed UN Security Council Resolutions 672 and 673, reaffirmed its support for the role the UN can play in protecting the rights of the Palestinian people and called once more on Israel to meet its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilians.