Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Jun 1991

Vol. 409 No. 9

Written Answers. - Aid for Saharan People.

Michael Bell

Question:

49 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has any plans to provide financial help or other forms of aid to the Saharan people and their representatives who are preparing to exercise their right to self-determination and independence through a referendum which is being organised and controlled by the United Nations, in view of the fact that this has been supported by successive Irish Governments, and will enable them to meet the basic requirements of repatriation of the refugees to their homeland in Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 690 on 26 April 1991 approving a report of the UN Secretary General on a referendum to be held concerning the self-determination of the Saharan people and deciding to establish, under their authority, a mission for the referendum (MINURSO).

The member states of the European Community issued a statement on 17 May 1991 welcoming the adoption of the Resolution. They stated that this represented an important step towards a just and lasting settlement of the conflict in Western Sahara.

Ireland supports the exercise by the people of the Western Sahara of their rights to self-determination and will be ready to play a part in MINURSO if called upon to do so.

An appeal has been issued by the UN Secretary General on behalf of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for funding the repatriation of refugees. This matter is being considered at present, but it will be appreciated that there are very large demands on emergency funds this year due to the famine in Africa, the Bangladesh cyclone and the Kurdish refugee crisis.