Vol. 403 No. 6
9 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government intend to provide any additional aid for Central America; if he will outline the Government's policy on the continuing conflict in E1 Salvador and on the continued existence of Contra forces in Nicaragua; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Although Ireland has always taken a deep interest in developments in Central America, we have concentrated our bilateral aid effort in the poorest part of the world and that with which we have the strongest traditional links, namely sub-Saharan Africa. The current budgetary position precludes us at present from extending this general focus to include Central America. However, we have in the recent past assisted projects in Central America, through our co-financing scheme with non-governmental organisations. Allocations are decided, both for the co-financing scheme and disaster relief funds, on the basis of the merits of individual applications. Of course, Ireland, as a member state of the EC, will continue to participate in all EC aid programmes to Central America.
In hoping to see a lasting peace established in Central America the Twelve have been guided by the principle that it is primarily for the countries of the region themselves to find a solution to the region's problems. The Twelve have consistently given all such efforts their political and practical support. With regard to the present situation in El Salvador, Ireland and its partners in the Twelve unreservedly support the efforts of the UN Secretary General in seeking to promote internal negotiations. A successful conclusion to these negotiations could lead, we believe, to democracy, reconciliation and respect for human rights in El Salvador.
The extent to which the UN has been able to facilitate a similar initiative in Nicaragua is a source of encouragement to us. While problems still remain, the demobilisation of the Contra forces in Nicaragua, in accordance with the agreement of 18 April 1990 between the Nicaraguan Government and the Contras, was carried out in a peaceful manner and completed on 29 June 1990, as reported on that date by the Secretary General of the United Nations.
Is the Minister aware that there are reports that Contra groups still exist and are active in Nicaragua and that they intervened in a violent way in the recent strike there? What steps, reports or complaints, have the Government made in relation to that? Can he explain at what point the UN efforts are at this time in relation to El Salvador to bring about negotiations there?
I refer the Deputy to the Secretary General's report to the Security Council in which he states that disarming of the Contras in Nicaragua has been completed under the supervision of the UN, with the exception of one small group who are expected to be disarmed in the immediate future. I have regard to the overall assessment of the Secretary General and I see no reason to question same. The Deputy will also be aware that Nicaragua has been through several years of disturbance and violence and it cannot be expected that all problems will be settled at once. However, the Government, with the support of the international community, are making every effort to reduce the outstanding difficulties.
The Minister says that as far as the UN report is concerned there are now no Contra operating in Nicaragua, but a report exists of them having intervened. I have the details here somewhere. I can pass it on to the Minister in any event. They intervened with weapons in a strike in recent months. It is clear they are still active and some action needs to be taken to disarm them. Will the Government take any steps to raise that matter with the UN?
I am not disagreeing with the Deputy. There is a small group who are still armed. The intention is that they be disarmed as quickly as possible because as long as they are as they are they are a source of trouble. We hope that efforts to complete this task as quickly as possible will be successful.
In view of the Minister's reply and his reluctance to take on any further bilateral arrangements with any countries other than we are dealing with now, will he look at the ODA budget for 1991 and try to increase the co-financing section of that budget to allow the nongovernmental agencies working in Central America to upgrade their projects there and to assist, particularly in Nicaragua, with the growth of democracy?
The Deputy will be aware that, due to the budgetary situation expenditure on official development assistance programme has been reduced since 1986. Recent OECD figures show that the countries with the lowest annual GNP per capita are mainly situated in Africa, in particular sub-Saharan Africa. I am satisfied that the choice to prioritise our bilateral aid efforts in this area is the correct one. Furthermore we are committed to our programme in our four priority countries — the Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia and Lesotho. This is budget preparatory time——
That is why I am asking the Minister.
——and any Minister for Foreign Affairs will have to have regard to the suggestion that has come from Deputy Owen. Budgetary matters will then dictate what the position is at the end of the day.
I take that up favourably.
