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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Feb 1994

Vol. 438 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meeting with PLO Chairman.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

1 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the matters discussed with the Chairman of the PLO, Mr. Yasser Arafat, during his recent visit to Dublin.

At my invitation, Mr. Yasser Arafat, chairman of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation paid a visit to Dublin on 16 December 1993. Mr. Arafat led a four person delegation from the PLO.

This, the first visit to Ireland by Chairman Arafat was part of a tour of European Union and Nordic states undertaken in the context of the Washington agreement of 13 September 1993 between Israel and the PLO and the ensuing negotiations intended to lead towards Palestinian autonomy and an eventual comprehensive settlement of the region's problems.

At our meeting I praised Mr. Arafat's tenacity, courage and foresight in achieving that agreement. I further stressed the full support of the Irish Government for the Middle-East peace process. Chairman Arafat outlined the current position on the first phase of the Israel-PLO agreement and I assured him that the Government would do everything possible both directly and in concert with our EU partners towards resolution of the problems.

Chairman Arafat further outlined the economic, infrastructural and social challenges which the Palestinian state would face. I informed him of the Government's commitment to more than double Irish official assistance to the West Bank and Gaza in 1994 and to continue this in future years. I also advised Mr. Arafat that Irish companies were being encouraged to develop economic links with the new Palestinian state. On the issue of technical assistance I promised that Ireland would try to link in to World Bank and EU programmes.

The chairman expressed the deep appreciation of the Palestinian people for Ireland's long standing record of support for their rights. He further congratulated the Government on its agreement of the Joint Declaration with the British Government and expressed his hopes for the peace process in both Ireland and the Middle East.

As I am sure the Taoiseach is aware, the negotiations between Israel and the PLO are currently deadlocked and appear to hinge on the question of the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip. Will the Taoiseach indicate if Ireland, either directly or through the European Union, has made any representations to the Israeli authorities in this regard and on the need to comply with the accord reached between the PLO and the Israelis?

I am aware that some aspects of the agreement have caused problems and not lived up to expectations — that there would be a withdrawal from these areas by certain dates. In recent days however there was a hint of a breakthrough which we would welcome. Ireland takes every opportunity at both EU and international level to continue to voice its support and help in every way it can to bring about the implementation of that peace accord.

I put it to the Taoiseach that under the accord as agreed between the Israelis and the Palestinians there was to be a withdrawal of Israeli troops by a certain date and that the Israelis are currently seeking to interpret this as a withdrawal to the areas within the Gaza Strip which are occupied by Israeli settlers. I also put it to him that in the interests of achieving peace in the region it would be helpful if pressure was put on the Israelis to reach an early agreement with the Palestinians on this issue.

I am not going to get involved in an argument here about the mechanics of the agreement, or the interpretations or, indeed, in mediation in that regard. I repeat that the Government is ready at all times to assist in any way it can to see that peace is achieved in the Middle East and that the accord is honoured by both sides.

Deputy De Rossa rose.

A very brief question, Deputy. I want to make progress on other question also.

I am not asking the Taoiseach to get involved in the technical detail or the interpretation of the accord, rather I am asking the Government to express its concern that the accord which was entered into in good faith by both sides will be complied with by both sides.

The Deputy can be assured that the Government will take every necessary step in the future to voice its support for the implementation of the accord and the achievement of peace in the Middle East.

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