Vol. 432 No. 2
1 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on discussions at the Council of Ministers meeting on the 8-9 June 1993 regarding the former Yugoslavia; whether any new initiatives are proposed by the EC on this issue; and his views on the latest draft UN Security Council Resolution No. 950/3.
22 Mr. Cullen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ireland's stance on the war in Bosnia-Hercegovina in relation to the proposed places of safety; and if he will make a statement on the political and economic prospects for the Muslim people there.
35 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has written to representatives of all sides involved in the conflict in Bosnia to express concern at the rape, sexual abuse and various violations of human rights of detainees and prisoners and also of civilians outside detention centres which have been perpetrated by war-makers from all sides.
42 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of recent United National resolutions, he intends to take any initiatives or use his influence in any way towards achieving a cessation of hostilities in Bosnia; if he expects the European Community to respond to the crisis in a tangible way; his views on whether the Vance/Owen peace plan has any chance of success in the absence of enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
49 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the continuing conflict in the former Yugoslavia and further serious developments such as the ousting of President Cosic and a series of attacks on aid workers, he is contemplating any new initiatives at either EC or UN level to end the conflict and secure a political solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
50 Miss Harney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ireland's stance on the war in Bosnia-Hercegovina in relation to the proposed places of safety; and if he will make a statement on the political and economic prospects for the Muslim people there.
61 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to travel throughout Europe with a view of getting support for any initiatives he, or the Government, might have in mind to enforce a ceasefire in the former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
62 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of Ireland's current position in relation to the conflict in Bosnia following on the recent UN Security Council resolution; if he anticipates any change in EC attitudes on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
63 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to travel to Bosnia with a view to assisting with the Vance/Owen peace plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 22, 35, 42, 49, 50, 61, 62 and 63 together. The Government has consistently held the view that the plan for Bosnia-Hercegovina, developed by International Conference Co-Chairmen Vance and Owen, provides the only mechanism available for the re-establishment of peace, with justice and respect for human rights, in Bosnia-Hercegovina. The rapid implementation of this plan offers the best prospect for improving the situation there in all its aspects — security, political, economic and humanitarian. This requires the support of a united international community. Pending the full implementation of the plan, there is an over-riding need to ensure the protection of life in besieged communities in that Republic.
To achieve the implementation of the Vance-Owen plan, the Government has actively pursued a policy involving full support for the International Conference Co-Chairmen, Owen and Stoltenberg, and increased pressure on Serbia and on the Bosnian Serbs through the application of sanctions. We have also made clear that the continued defiance by the Bosnian Serbs and by Serbia and Montenegro of the decisions of the UN Security Council would not be tolerated.
In Luxembourg this week, I welcomed the developments at the UN Security Council in relation to the plight of the besieged Muslim communities. I welcomed, in particular, the decision of the Security Council, in its Resolution 836 of 4 June to make provision for the protection of the safe areas. I underlined that these were temporary arrangements, which have as their objective the preservation of the lives of those displaced persons who have been forced to seek refuge in their isolated and besieged communities. When secured, these communities should be free from bombardment or attack and should receive humanitarian aid unimpeded. I expressed concern about the developing situation in Croatia. The international community should make clear to Croatia that it must act responsibly and avoid escalating the conflict.
EC Foreign Ministers reconfirmed their commitment to work for a lasting and equitable peace in former Yugoslavia, most immediately in Bosnia-Hercegovina. It was agreed that the Vance-Owen plan remained the centrepiece of the EC's strategy for peace, that there is no feasible alternative to this as a means for reaching a durable political solution based on the principles agreed by all at the London Conference, and that the acquisition of territory by force is unacceptable.
Ministers were given a detailed briefing by Conference Co-Chairman David Owen. We agreed that authority to pursue political settlements in former Yugoslavia, including the implementation of the Vance-Owen plan in Bosnia-Hercegovina rested primarily with Co-Chairmen David Owen and Thorsvald Stoltenberg. They have our full confidence and support in pursuing these objectives on our behalf with the parties in the region. This, I believe, is the most effective method of bringing the peace process forward and securing implementation of the plan.
We also had a useful and important meeting with US Secretary of State Warren Christopher yesterday. At that meeting, we considered follow-up by the UN Security Council to the joint action programme on a number of issues, including the safe areas, which had been developed by the EC. It is clear that a substantial increase in the strength of UNPROFOR and its financial resources will be required to make these areas safe. This matter is currently being considered by the UN Secretary General.
The long-term economic, and political requirements of the inhabitants of safe areas can only be realised when the Vance-Owen plan, under which all displaced people can return to their homes with security, has been fully implemented by all parties. Adjustments to the plan, acceptable to all three parties, may have to be made. However, as I have made clear in the Dáil, the alternative to the Vance-Owen plan is likely to be the partition of Bosnia-Hercegovina.
UN sanctions continue to remain the cornerstone of the EC's pressure on Serbia and the Bosnian Serbs. These are becoming increasingly effective. In Luxembourg, we confirmed that sanctions will continue to be rigorously enforced until all conditions specified by the Security Council have been met, including the withdrawal of Bosnian Serb forces from territories occupied by force.
The Government is commited to continue its humanitarian and human rights involvement in former Yugoslavia, especially in Bosnia-Hercegovina. We have already made clear our strong views on the atrocities which have been perpetrated. In the case of the victims of rape in Bosnia, the Government is funding a project of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, and a group of counsellors from the former Yugoslavia are currently in Ireland for intensive training in assistance to rape victims.
I will continue to avail of every opportunity to work towards the objective of peace, with respect for human rights, in former Yugoslavia. To this end, I will utilise every occasion, both at international level and in my bilateral contacts — for example, next week with the Bosnian Foreign Minister — to promote these objectives.
Would the Minister not agree that EC action to date with regard to former Yugoslavia has failed dismally to bring about peace and bring to an end the atrocities and daily killings in that region? Would the Minister not agree that the safe areas which he supported and for which he took much kudos have not worked because of the lack of commitment by the EC to make them work? Will the Minister comment on Lord Owen's exhortation to the EC that it must do more than pay lip service to UN Security Council resolutions, that it must be prepared to make resources' available and what resources have been made available following the Ministers' meeting on Tuesday?
I know from the Deputy's interest in the continuing conflict in former Yugoslavia she has a good understanding of what is an extremely complex problem. The European Council of Ministers, in conjunction with David Owen and Cyrus Vance, pursued a peace plan which achieved some progress in terms of requiring the warring factions to sign a peace agreement but, unfortunately, implementation has proved much more difficult. However, in practical political terms the Vance-Owen plan is still the most feasible prospect, perhaps the only prospect in bringing about agreement in this area.
I advocated the establishment of safe areas as a temporary measure to ensure preservation of life in a difficult situation. The establishment of safe areas is the best prospect of securing the lives of many hundreds of thousands of people in this besieged area. The UN commitment to this plan is very clear. The UN Secretary General is at present setting out to make available 5,000 to 6,000 UN troops for the protection of these safe areas and he will report on that matter at the weekend. Lord Owen, in his address to the press in Luxembourg, made it very clear that he believes resources must be provided, and the United Nations is in the process of providing these resources.
The Deputy will be aware that it was mentioned in the last number of months that for the implementation of the peace plan on its acceptance by all parties in a peaceful situation 50,000 to 60,000 United Nation troops would be required as well as the necessary resources. At present a peace-keeping force of 5,000 to 6,000 troops is being formed. The latest information is that the Secretary General is confident that the necessary resources will be put in place as a matter of urgency.
Deputy Owen rose.
This will have to be a very brief question, Deputy Owen. I cannot remain unduly long on any one question because clearly it would be to the detriment of the other questions nominated for priority.
I realise that, but I would point out that there are only four priority questions today instead of five.
At the rate we are going we will hardly reach them.
This is a very serious issue and one that is exercising the minds of a great number of people here. On the putting together the 5,000 to 6,000 troops to implement Resolution 836 of 4 June, will the Minister give his views on requests for Irish involvement? Will he outline his understanding of Article 10 of Resolution 836 which refers to member states acting nationally or through regional organisations? For example, does he understand that to mean NATO or Western European Union?
As regards the 5,000 to 6,000 troops required by the UN for the protection of safe areas, no request has been received by the Irish Government. As I have made very clear in the last number of days, the Government will consider every request made on a case by case basis.
That is the Minister's opinion.
As the Deputy is aware, police officers and Army officers — 28 to 30 people in all — were sent to the former Yugoslavia in a monitoring capacity. My best information is that no request has been made. I am not sure if one is forthcoming but the Government will have to examine every case in relation to our United Nations responsibility as requests are received.
What is the Minister's opinion?
In relation to resolution 836, I am sure the Deputy is aware that there is co-ordination between the UN, NATO and the Western European Union in relation to implementation of the United Nations mandate, which will continue. There will be meetings today and tomorrow in relation to the overall co-ordination of the UN role in former Yugoslavia.
