Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Feb 1994

Vol. 438 No. 2

Written Answers. - Effect of UN Sanctions.

Michael P. Kitt

Question:

51 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the present position on the economic effects of the United Nations sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro on neighbouring countries; if compensation will be paid to these countries; and if he will make a statement on the effect of these sanctions.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The states bordering on Serbia and Montenegro have a vital role to play in implementing UN sanctions. With the overall conflict situation in the region, the implementation of sanctions has had serious negative consequences for their economies. Traditional trade patterns, transport and communications links in the area have been severely disrupted, adding to the burden of many states which are in a critical period of political, economic and social transition to democracy and market economy.

Article 50 of the UN Charter provides for states confronted with special economic difficulties arising from the implementation of Security Council decisions to consult the Council with regard to a solution of these problems. The relevant Security Council Committee has examined a number of requests from states, adversely affected by the UN sanctions on Serbia and Montenegro, for assistance under Article 50. That Committee has appealed for assistance for the affected states and has invited the competent organs and specialised agencies of the UN system, including the international financial institutions, to consider how their assistance programmes might be used to alleviate these special economic problems.

The broader issue of how best to respond to the special economic problems arising from the implementation of UN sanctions is currently being considered in the context of the Secretary General's "Agenda for Peace" initiative. In this context, the General Assembly recently invited the Security Council to consider measures within the UN system and involving the international financial institutions that can be put in place to address these special economic problems.

The CSCE is playing an important role in addressing the needs of states adversely affected by the sanctions on Serbia and Montenegro. The CSCE ministerial meeting in Rome on 30 November-1 December decided that a special meeting should be held to identify priorities for international projects to assist affected states in the Yugoslave region to cope with the impact of these sanctions. That meeting, which was held in Vienna on 31 January-1 February, marked an important step in identifying priorities for future infrastructural support. It also represented a clear expression of support by the international community for the affected states. The projects which were presented by the affected states should now be examined urgently by the international financial institutions.

The European Union and its member states are continuing to provide considerable assistance to the neighbouring states to help them implement sanctions and also to assist them in tackling the effects of these measures on their economies. Over 900 MECU has been authorised by the European Union in support of the external trade of affected countries to alleviate the harmful economic consequences of sanctions. Through the PHARE regional programmes, many infrastructural projects are being financed. A comprehensive set of support measures for 1994-95, possibly totalling 100 MECU, is being developed by the European Union, reflecting our commitment to the provision of substantial and targeted aid for Serbia and Montenegro's neighbours.