Vol. 470 No. 8
15 Mr. Flood asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Government supports East Timorese demands for the implementation of a total arms embargo on Indonesia; and whether Ireland will use its influence during its Presidency of the EU to gain the agreement of all EU member states to such an embargo. [20066/96]
23 Mr. T. Kitt asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the EU, under Ireland's Presidency, endorses the Norwegian initiative to facilitate talks between the Indonesian Government and the proindependence movement in East Timor. [19988/96]
30 Miss M. Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Government has made any independent financial contribution to the Intra-Timorese Dialogue; and if so, the timing, nature and extent of such contribution. [20056/96]
45 Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures, if any, taken by the EU following the adoption of a common position on East Timor on 26 June 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20015/96]
59 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action, if any, he has taken to give the East Timor issue a high priority during the Irish Presidency of the EU as promised by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20180/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 23, 30, 45 and 59 together.
I first wish to repeat my congratulations, on behalf of the Government and people of Ireland, to Bishop Belo and Mr. Ramos-Horta, on winning the Nobel Prize for Peace. This award must send a strong signal to the people of East Timor that they are not being forgotten by the international community and be a source of great hope to them that their situation can be improved.
The policy of the European Union on East Timor is based on the Common Position adopted by the Council of Ministers on 25 June 1996. In accordance with the terms of that Common Position, Ireland, as Presidency, is actively supporting international efforts to promote respect for human rights and a just and peaceful solution to the East Timor question, which fully respects the interests and legitimate aspirations of the Timorese people.
Ireland has designated East Timor as a priority issue for our Presidency and we are considering with our EU partners appropriate follow-up action on foot of the Common Position. Such action would largely focus on support for the continuing talks, under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General, between the Portuguese and Indonesian Foreign Ministers, who are due to meet again in December, and on the all-inclusive intra-Timorese dialogue, which is to be convened for a third round early next year. Efforts to promote progress towards a settlement, however, continue to be hampered by serious obstacles.
In my capacity as President of the Council of Ministers, I have availed of appropriate opportunities, in particular the meetings with Asia and ASEAN countries in Jakarta last July, to focus international attention on the issue of East Timor, and the EU Common Position on the subject. I have stressed, in particular, the EU's call on the Indonesian Government to adopt effective measures leading to a significant improvement in the human rights situation in East Timor, especially by implementing fully the relevant decisions adopted in this connection by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
The question of an arms embargo on Indonesia by EU member states, for which consensus would be required, will be kept under continuing review by the Irish Presidency in the light of developments in East Timor. To be effective, an arms embargo would need to be applied universally on the basis of a United Nations resolution.
