Jim O'Keeffe
Question:53 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether Ireland supports the efforts of the people of East Timor to end the occupation of their country by Indonesia; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - East Timor Occupation.
Ireland believes that the political issues related to East Timor are best resolved in the negotiations between the countries directly concerned — Portugal and Indonesia — under the auspices of the secretary-general of the United Nations. The Secretary-General has been given a mandate by the general assembly to facilitate a comprehensive and internationally acceptable solution to the question of East Timor and to conduct consultations with all the parties concerned. Ireland fully supports the Secretary-General in this endeavour. We wish to see a just, overall solution to the problems of East Timor, a solution which is recognised by the international community and which complies with the principles of the United Nations Charter, including respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
I may add that the issue of human rights for the people of East Timor is one which continues to be of great concern to me. As recently as 27 February the issue of East Timor was raised by Ireland and its partners in the twelve at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva.