Vol. 408 No. 7
14 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the results of the recent visit by EC Foreign Ministers to Central America; if he will further outline his views on the situation there with specific reference to the prospects for peace in El Salvador; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The visit to which the Deputy refers was on the occasion of the annual ministerial conference between the European Community and its member states; the countries of Central America, Panama; and Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela as countries active in co-operation in Central America. This was the seventh in the series of San José conferences: the sixth took place in Dublin in April 1990.
The EC Ministers reaffirmed their support for peace, democracy, human rights and economic development in Central America and for the Esquipulas process, which has brought about substantial progress towards peace in the region. They expressed support for the role of the UN in reducing tensions in the region and helping to bring about national reconciliation in some of the countries concerned. As a specifically European contribution to promoting respect for human rights, they undertook to set up a multi-annual human rights programme directed primarily at security force, law enforcement and administrative personnel. The Commission and the Ministers also agreed to make an urgent study of possible adverse effects on Central America of the decision to grant tariff concessions to certain Andean countries to help them in their struggle against drugs by encouraging crop substitution, and agreed to take compensatory measures if it were established that Central American exports had, in fact, been harmed.
The peace process launched at the Esquipulas II Summit is now well established and has enabled the countries of the region to realise substantial progress in reducing tensions between them, reducing armed forces and armaments and putting in place democratically elected governments. They have been able to turn their attention to economic development and regional economic co-operation. The first Central American summit devoted to economic issues was held at Antigua, Guatemala, in June 1990.
Negotiations have been going on for some time between the Government of El Salvador and the FMLN guerillas under the auspices of the UN Secretary General and his personal representative, Mr. de Soto. The Ministers welcomed the role being played by the Secretary General. Subsequently, the Twelve on 10 May issued a statement welcoming the outcome of the latest round of talks in Mexico City and calling on both sides to continue to show flexibility. I see this negotiation as offering the best prospect for a genuine and lasting peace in El Salvador.
Copies of the concluding documents of the Conference have been placed in the Dáil Library.
I am sure the Minister is aware of the ongoing problem of horrific mutilation and assassination of people in the countries referred to in Central America. Will he indicate what steps the Irish Government are taking to make their concern known to the Governments involved about these infringements of human rights?
I availed of the opportunity during my presence at that conference to make known the Government's position on human rights issues in that part of the Central American countries.
Does the Minister see the position in that regard improving or deteriorating?
The general perception is that there is an improvement in the area of human rights and a welcome improvement in efforts to try to develop economies there. They have a long way to go. They will need help. We are prepared, as is the Community, to help them. There is room for cautious optimism.
The Minister in his reply referred to Esquipulas. Where is the Esquipulas agreement now, in relation to the European Community suggested assistance for freeing trade between the Central American countries which could be embargoed by any one of those countries if the situation is changed in that regard? Did the conference the Minister spoke of and reported on consider the circumstances that now arise in view of the fact that only $53 million out of $256 million promised by the US have been delivered after the Nicaraguan election?
It was the view of all those present at the conference that the Esquipulas process had brought about substantial progress towards peace in the region. We are only beginning a long road to political and economic recovery and there are many problems still to overcome.
