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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1993

Vol. 425 No. 7

Written Answers. - Conflict in Former Yugoslavia.

Mary Harney

Question:

52 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of persons killed, seriously injured, raped and displaced as a result of the fighting in the period from 1991 to date in the former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Máirín Quill

Question:

71 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the stance the Government is taking in relation to the recognition of the Republic of Macedonia and Greek objections to such recognition; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Michael Noonan

Question:

83 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of Ireland's policy in respect of the civil war in the former Yugoslavia and, in particular the situation in Bosnia-Hercegovina; and whether the Irish Government supports an interventionist policy.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 71 and 83 together.

The conflict in former Yugoslavia has lasted for more than two years. Throughout that period Ireland has been actively involved, particularly through the European Community, in the search for a peaceful, negotiated solution. The principal elements of our policy involve:
—support for the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia chaired jointly by David Owen and Cyrus Vance
—involvement in efforts in the region by the UN and the EC to establish the conditions necessary for a settlement
—sustained international pressure, including sanctions, against Serbia and Montenegro
—support for efforts to prevent a spill-over of the conflict
—assistance to refugees and displaced persons, and
—assistance for the victims of rape and support for the efforts to bring those responsible to justice.
The killing, human misery and destruction in the former Yugoslavia has been horrific. In such a war situation, it is not possible to give precise figures for the total number of casualties. As many areas of conflict are inaccessible, verification of reported casualties by agencies on the ground is extremely difficult. However, I believe that well in excess of 30,000 people have been killed and, as I indicated earlier, some 20,000 Muslim women have been raped. UNHCR estimates that there are some 3 million displaced persons and refugees in the region and a further 700,000 in other European countries.
The International Conference, cochaired by the EC and UN, is working to find a comprehensive solution to the conflict. The primary objective in recent months has been a durable and lasting settlement for Bosnia-Hercegovina. This is essential for an overall settlement. The plan for Bosnia-Hercegovina proposes constitutional arrangements, boundaries for ten provinces and arrangements to govern the cessation of hostilities and related monitoring.
With its EC partners, Ireland has called on the Security Council to give its full support both to the plan and the related interim arrangements to apply in advance of elections. We have strongly urged all Bosnian parties to accept these proposals. However, should the proposals developed by the International Conference be rejected, the Security Council will need to consider what further measures should be taken.
The assistance provided to the conference by the UN, which we have actively supported, has been invaluable. Some 23,000 UN personnel are now serving in Croatia, Bosnia-Hercegovina and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Ireland has provided 36 personnel from the Defence Forces and the Garda Síochána for service with the UN and EC Monitor Mission in the area. I pay tribute to their bravery and dedication.
To reduce the possibility of conflict spillover to neighbouring states, Ireland supported the despatch of a CSCE long term mission to Kosovo where tensions between its Albanian population and the Serbian authorities are high. We would also wish to see a UN Peacekeeping presence established in Kosovo. We strongly support meaningful negotiations on an autonomous status for that province.
We have supported the deployment of UN Peacekeeping forces in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, where inter-ethnic tension has also reached dangerous levels. The Community is providing technical and financial assistance to that republic. We have made clear our readiness to recognise the former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia. However, we wish this to be done in a manner which would avoid creating a further area of tension and potential conflict in the Balkans. We therefore strongly support the efforts currently underway to seek a compromise on the name of the new state and on security measures between it and Greece.
The members of the European Community have continued to withhold recognition from the federal entity of Serbia and Montenegro. Primary responsibility for the violence and destruction in Bosnia-Herzegovina rests with them. The implementation of EC and UN sanctions is being reinforced. Further measures that might be necessary have been identified.
Ireland has contributed £310,000 to the humanitarian relief effort, including financial assistance to the Sarajevo airlift operation and to the UNHCR. We are considering what further contributions might be possible. Two Irish Defence Forces personnel are assisting the UNHCR. A further two officers have been assigned to the EC Task Force on humanitarian assistance. I will make a separate statement in the Dáil today on refugees.
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