John Bruton
Question:6 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if there has been any developments in respect of his suggestion made in April 1989 to President Gorbachev that he and the US President might hold a summit in Ireland.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Summit Meeting Location.
There have been no recent developments in respect of this matter.
Would the Taoiseach agree that the point might soon be reached in respect of the situation in the Gulf where face to face discussion should occur at short notice between President Gorbachev and President Bush to remove any misunderstandings in respect of the proposals now being made to achieve peace and also to facilitate the building of a post-war structure of peace in the Middle East? Would the Taoiseach further agree that Shannon Airport is a particularly good, secure location for such discussion, being equidistant between the two capitals, Washington and Moscow? In view of Ireland's concern to achieve peace in the Gulf, would he consider repeating his invitation to both Presidents with a view to facilitating the peace process in any way he can?
Yes. The Deputy knows that the summit proposed was postponed for a number of reasons but it is still on the cards. We are certainly in the market for holding that postponed summit between President Gorbachev and President Bush. Our interest in hosting such a meeting is well known and is kept alive in both capitals. In view of what the Deputy says, I will be glad to reactivate interest in it in any way I can.
I am sure the Taoiseach is aware of the difficulties of communication that exist between the parties in this war. I refer to logistical difficulties, in the sense that people have to fly from one country to another to convey information about a recent modification of a proposal and so forth. Would the Taoiseach agree that the solution of misunderstandings which might arise in these rather complicated lines of communication might well lie in a face to face discussion between the two leaders? Would he agree, therefore, to upgrade his efforts to have such a summit take place and give those efforts an added urgency?
I am firmly convinced of the value of face to face discussions at all levels, particularly at the highest level of international affairs. During the Irish Presidency of the EC I was particularly struck and impressed by the value of meeting one's opposite number face to face and having a good personal discussion. It is extraordinary how many difficulties can be ironed out in that way and how frequently problems are permitted to arise at lower echelons which very often the heads of State and Government are completely unaware of. I am a total advocate of meetings between heads of State and Government as often as possible. I will certainly keep that in mind in our efforts to offer Shannon as a host centre for any meetings between President Bush and President Gorbachev or any other meetings of that nature that might be on offer.