Written Answers. - Bosnian Conflict.
Desmond J. O'Malley
Question:
49
Mr. O'Malley
asked the
Tánaiste
and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether it is desirable that peace enforcement in Europe near the EU boundaries should be carried out by EU forces in view of the fact that the successful military intervention against Serbian aggression in Bosnia in recent weeks has been exclusively by NATO using US Air Forces; and if he will encourage the EU to become involved in peace enforcement in Bosnia and other parts of the former Yugoslavia as necessary.
[15108/95]
Trevor Sargent
Question:
63
Mr. Sargent
asked the
Tánaiste
and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government supports the proposed reduction in UN peacekeeping forces in Bosnia as part of the latest peace plan.
[15001/95]
Ivor Callely
Question:
66
Mr. Callely
asked the
Tánaiste
and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give a progress report on the conflict in Bosnia; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15154/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 63 and 66 together.
Since the beginning of the tragic conflict in former Yugoslavia, it has been clear that a durable peace will come to the region only as a result of a negotiated political settlement. The efforts of the Government, in common with those of our European Union partners, have been consistently directed towards the achievement of a peaceful outcome.
The conflict in former Yugoslavia has engaged the energies of all the organisations involved in European and global security — the OSCE, the European Union, the Western European Union, NATO and, above all, the United Nations. The UN Security Council in particular has the primary responsibility for maintenance of international peace and security. In our view, any action involving peace-enforcement would require authorisation by the Security Council in the first instance.
The United Nations Protection Force — UNPROFOR — has performed an invaluable role on the basis of the difficult mandate conferred on it by the Security Council. The actions taken by NATO in recent weeks were also on behalf of the United Nations in support of its mission, and had as their goal the ending of civilian suffering in the designated safe areas. However, it is important to state that all the organisations to which I have referred are of the opinion that peace will come only as a result of a negotiated political settlement involving all the parties. I fully share this view.
The UN Secretary-General has strongly advocated that the most credible option for international support for implementation of a peace settlement in Bosnia-Herzegovina would be for the Security Council to authorise anad hoc coalition of member states to discharge the task. Furthermore, the Secretary-General has expressed concern regarding the United Nations' limited capacity to manage large-scale operations, and the difficulties of entrusting to a United Nations peacekeeping force a mandate which would require it to take enforcement action against parties whose co-operation is required for peacekeeping functions.
In this context, preparations are proceeding as a matter of urgency within NATO on the establishment of a force which will implement a peace settlement in Bosnia-Herzegovina. NATO is widely regarded, including by our European Union partners, as the only regional organisation which has the capabilities to implement the military aspects of such a settlement. The force is likely to include personnel from the United States and a number of European Union member states. Urgent negotiations are also under way on how non-NATO countries, in particular Russia, can be engaged in implementation. It is envisaged that the implementing force will be authorised by the Security Council.
Against this background, the size of UNPROFOR is being reduced, taking account also of the improvement in the situation on the ground in many parts of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Over the past three years, the United Nations peace-keeping forces have made an essential contribution to facilitating the conditions for a peaceful settlement and to ensuring the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the victims of the conflict. While anad hoc coalition will be necessary to implement a settlement in Bosnia-Herzegovina, I agree with the Secretary General that the United Nations can continue to play a useful peacekeeping role in the future in Croatia and in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
The Government welcomes the progress made in the peace process in former Yugoslavia over recent weeks. Last month's agreements in Geneva and New York on basic principles for a peaceful settlement in Bosnia-Herzegovina I hope will come to be seen as an important milestone in the search for peace. These principles include confirmation of the continued legal existence of Bosnia-Herzegovina within its internationally recognised boundaries.
Detailed talks begin in the United States on 31 October. If these are successful, a peace conference will be held in Paris. A separate conference in London, to deal with specific aspects of implementation of a peace settlement, is also envisaged. Many difficult issues, including the allocation of territory between the Bosnian Federation and the Serb entity within Bosnia-Herzegovina and further aspects of the constitutional arrangements, remain to be resolved.
The European Union and its member states will continue their efforts to promote peace in former Yugoslavia, respect for human rights in the region and to provide humanitarian aid. The work of the European Community Monitor Mission and the Union's administration of Mostar are practical demonstrations of our commitment in this regard.
In the event of a settlement in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the European Union is determined to play its part fully in the provision of humanitarian assistance, in the massive reconstruction effort which is required, in assisting in establishing conditions on the ground for the return of displaced persons and refugees and in preparations for the holding of democratic elections.
The ceasefire, which came into effect throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina on 12 October, is of vital importance for the peace process. However, I am deeply concerned by reports of fighting between Bosnian Government and Bosnian Serb forces in the north-west of the country in violation of the ceasefire. The European Union has urged the parties to show utmost restraint at this crucial stage.
With genuine commitment from the parties, and with assistance from the international community including the European Union, the United States and Russia, there is now a chance that the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and of the region generally, will finally be able to enjoy lasting peace and security.
The Government will continue its active engagement in the search for a lasting peace in former Yugoslavia so that the process of reconstruction and reconciliation can begin in this war-ravaged region.
The question of peace enforcement in Europe outside former Yugoslavia does not arise at present. The 1996 Intergovernmental Conference Review of the CFSP provisions of the Maastricht Treaty will provide the Union with an opportunity to examine how best it can respond to international crises, whether in Europe or elsewhere.
