Vol. 455 No. 4
37 Ms O'Donnell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the State has been used as an intermediary between another Government and Rwanda or Zaire for the purposes of supplying military equipment, training or similar services or maintenance of equipment which may be reaching the perpetrators of human rights abuses in Rwanda, Zaire and neighbouring countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12227/95]
The Government has not been involved in any way, as an intermediary or otherwise, in the provision of military equipment, training or maintenance of such equipment for use in conflicts in Rwanda, Zaire and neighbouring countries. The Government has been greatly concerned at the reported use of refugee camps in eastern Zaire for the arming and training of soldiers of the former Rwandan army and at reports that members of the international community have provided them with armaments and training.
Ireland fully supports the imposition of the UN arms embargo on Rwanda which has been in force since May 1994. It also supports the recent strengthening of that embargo by the UN Security Council in Resolution 997 of 9 June which has extended its scope to "persons in the states neighbouring Rwanda" if such arms are for use in Rwanda.
