Vol. 451 No. 8
45 Mr. Hilliard asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the requests, if any, he has made to the United Nations to arrange for the release from prison of a person (details supplied) in order that he can receive medical treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7266/95]
I can inform the Deputy that Dr. Najibullah has been released from prison and is under the care of the United Nations. He is currently residing in the UN compound.
Ambassador Mestiri, who is the head of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan, and other UN representatives who visit the region, are making every effort to secure permission for Dr. Najibullah to leave Afghanistan. The United Nations has so far been unable to obtain the agreement of the local Afghan groups in order to allow him to leave the country.
It has fortunately proved possible to evacuate his wife and some other members of his family to India, while two members of the family remain with him. I know that the United Nations will continue making every possible effort to ensure that he can leave Afghanistan and receive medical treatment.
