Vol. 432 No. 2
9 Mr. McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the failure of the United Nations to deploy forces in Mozambique to allow the mobilisation of the armed forces and commencement of the democratic process.
31 Miss Flaherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on a possible Irish involvement in the peacekeeping and restructuring task facing Mozambique.
52 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the assistance, if any, Ireland can offer to the Government of Mozambique in their efforts to bring peace and stability to their country.
55 Miss Flaherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the failure of the United Nations to deploy forces in Mozambique to allow the mobilisation of the armed forces and commencement of the democracy forces.
On 16 December 1992, the UN Security Council established the UN Operation in Mozambique — UNOMOZ — with the following mandate: to monitor the implementation of the peace agreements between the Mozambican Government and RENAMO; to provide technical assistance and to monitor the electoral process; and to co-ordinate and monitor humanitarian assistance.
Deployment of UNOMOZ is almost complete with over 6,000 UN troops now stationed in Mozambique. Four of the proposed five security corridors for the delivery of humanitarian supplies have now been established and are operational. Ireland has not been asked by the United Nations to provide troops or military observers to UNOMOZ.
Demobilisation of the Government and RENAMO troops and the establishment of a new national defence force are matters of paramount importance. The Community and its members states have urged the Government and RENAMO to initiate demobilisation immediately and to accept demobilisation procedures that will allow the process to be completed quickly. The UN troops and observers are now largely in place to ensure stability during the process and to assist with the practical work of demobilisation.
My Department is currently looking at the possibility of Irish involvement in the reconstruction of Mozambique in the aftermath of the civil war which has wrought such devastation to the economy and to society there. I have dispatched an evaluation team to Maputo for the purpose of examining, together with the Mozambican Government, the possibility of beginning a programme for assistance.
Was it the Tánaiste's intention to reply to some other questions with Question No. 9?
My apologies a Cheann Comhairle. It was intended to take questions Nos. 9, 31, 52 and 55 together.
I thank the Minister for the information in his reply. Is he aware of the deep concern throughout the region about the slowness of the deployment of the UN forces? I have a proposed schedule that was circulated in January which indicates that the UN would be present at all assembly points by February. I believe the troops have not begun their work at the assembly points and that none of the demobilisation process which was expected to be completed by May has commenced. Will the Minister do all he can to make known our concerns about this and about leaving two armed forces in a stand-off position in a situation where war could resume at any time?
I am aware of the delays that have taken place. It is extremely important in the light of what has happened in Angola that the position in regard to the armed forces be completed as quickly as possible. I will raise that matter with the appropriate authorities because it is extremely important. There are enormous strains and pressures on the United Nations' manpower and resources and recently I raised this with the Secretary General of the United Nations. As most Deputies will be aware, he is under considerable strain in relation to the ongoing demands on the United Nations but notwithstanding that, there is a commitment to Mozambique and obviously there are obligations that have to be responded to.
I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. I have no doubt that when the fact finding mission return they will report on the devastation of the country following the war. Does he recognise the enormous importance for the future prosperity of the country of making allowances for the forces, when they are demobilised. Perhaps we can learn from the Namibian situation where the Koevut police force was demobilised in the proper way and they did not undermine democracy in Namibia. Will he take that experience on board?
That is a very reasonable point and I will take it up.
I have a brief question that arises from Question No. 31. Earlier the Minister said that it was the Irish Government's attitude to examine every request to take part in a peace-keeping or peace-making force on a case by case basis. Will he inform the House who makes the decisions in this respect? Who has the prime ministerial responsibility? Is it the Minister for Foreign Affairs and his Department, or the Minister for Defence Deputy Andrews? Will he comment on a report in today's newspaper of a difference as to whose primary role it is to decide these matters?
We might be straying outside the brief somewhat but I have no difficulty in commenting, as my Department did last night, that there is no difference of opinion between myself and the Minister for Defence. I can state quite frankly that we have not had any cross words in relation to this.
Have you had any words?
Let the Deputy listen as I tell it as it is. There has to be co-operation between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Defence in these matters. To the best of my knowledge that has always been the case and it is my intention to ensure that it continues. These matters are far too serious for people to have difficulties, as was speculated about in a mischievous way, I have to say, in a certain newspaper this morning.
That is a fair comment.
That is a matter of opinion as far as I am concerned. My view was expressed by my Department but it was not printed. The story would not have been like that if they had printed my view.
Do you have a shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs?
The Minister said that the United Nations troops were largely in position. Will he indicate whether 70 per cent, 80 per cent or 90 per cent are in position, or does he have the percentage figures? The Minister said he was examining various mechanisms for supporting restructuring. Will the Minister consider identifying Mozambique as one of the primary countries to which we give bilateral aid? As my own information is a couple of weeks out of date, does he know of the moneys promised to RENAMO and Dhlakama under the Rome Donor Conference have been handed over, because I understand that the failure to make these resources available is delaying their return to Maputo and the commencement of the next stage of the peace process. While the Minister may not have this information he may be able to get it.
That was well anticipated, Deputy. There are three parts to the Deputy's question and I will answer two of them. There are over 6,000 United Nations troops in position. On the basis of the evaluation received in the Department we will examine the possibility of beginning a bilateral aid programme to Mozambique. Finally, I will seek the information the Deputy requested and forward it to her as soon as possible.
The Minister is aware that there is a provisional date for elections in Mozambique early next year.
In early 1994.
Is that before or after the by-election in Dublin South-Central?
Part of what happened in Angola was that the demobilisation process was not complete when the election was held. The target for demobilisation was not achieved and that led to the awful problems we have today. Will the Minister agree that we should raise with the United Nations the postponement of elections until there is a full demobilisation and surrender of the arms held by both private and official armies?
We can take up that matter with the United Nations. It is extremely important, as suggested in this House, that demobilisation and disarmament takes place in an orderly manner, as happened in Namibia. Obviously it is extremely important when the elections take place that the results are accepted and democracy established.
Question No. 10 please.
