Ray Burke
Question:33 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions, if any, he is taking to highlight and help alleviate the sufferings of the people of Bosnia. [4095/95]
Written Answers. - Situation in Bosnia-Hercegovina.
Seán Haughey
Question:52 Mr. Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, the Irish Government is taking to alleviate the suffering of the people of Bosnia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3874/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 52 together.
The Government remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian and political situation in Bosnia-Hercegovina. The assistance which Ireland has given can be summarised as follows:—
First, Ireland has contributed over £2 million from the emergency humanitarian assistance fund to the international relief effort in the region. The bulk of this money has been channelled through the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, which is the lead agency for the relief effort.
Second, in response to the needs of people who have been displaced from their homes by the war, we have admitted 371 Bosnians to Ireland. The welfare and resettlement of these persons in Ireland is being co-ordinated by the Refugee Agency. The Government has also allocated visas to facilitate the reunification of Bosnians in Ireland with their immediate family members in Bosnia-Hercegovina.
Third, we have supported the United Nations special medical evacuation programme for Bosnia-Hercegovina for the treatment of serious medical cases and victims of war. Ireland was one of the first countries to respond positively to this programme when it began in July 1993. To date we have organised three medical evacuations to Ireland under that programme and have offered treatment in Cappagh Hospital to thirty six serious medical cases from Sarajevo and Gorazde.
Fourth, Ireland has supported the European Union's administration of Mostar in western Bosnia which aims to promote reconciliation and reconstruction in that divided city.
Fifth, the Government has pledged US$500,000 to support the United Nations programme to restore essential services to the inhabitants of Sarajevo. As part of this commitment we are currently giving financial support to the Office of the UN Special Co-ordinator for Sarajevo as well as a project to restore the homes of elderly persons in Sarajevo many of whom have spent three winters living in damaged buildings without gas, heating or electricity.
The Government stands ready to give further assistance to the Bosnian people both by way of meeting their immediate needs and through rehabilitation of the structures and communities which have been shattered by the fighting in the region. With the ending of the war between the Bosnian Government and Bosnian Croats in Central Bosnia and the successful implementation of the ceasefire agreement there by UNPROFOR, it is encouraging that the number of people dependent on humanitarian aid has been greatly reduced.
A comprehensive negotiated settlement is essential if we are to end the humanitarian crisis which has been precipitated by the fighting in the region. To this end, Ireland is continuing to work with its EU partners for a political solution for Bosnia. The Contact Group's plan for territorial arrangements have been accepted by the Bosnian Government and by the Bosnian Croats. A key objective of the international community is now directed at obtaining Bosnian Serb agreement. A plan for a political solution for Croatia has recently been put to the parties by the International Conference on Former Yugoslavia, which is co-chaired by the European Union and the United Nations. These are important elements in the efforts of the European Union for an overall resolution of the conflicts in former Yugoslavia which would guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States within their inter nationally recognised borders.