Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 7

Written Answers. - EU Policy on East Timor.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

25 Kathleen Lynch asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress, if any, made regarding achieving a common EU position on East Timor during Ireland's Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24010/96]

Mary Wallace

Question:

55 Miss M. Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Government will use its influence as EU President to make immediate contact with the Indonesian Government in order to raise the critical issue of East Timor in conjunction with the receipt of the Nobel Laureate by two East Timorese nationals this week. [23975/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 55 together.

In my reply to previous questions I repeated my congratulations, on behalf of the Government and people of Ireland, to Bishop Belo and Mr. Ramos-Horta, on the awarding to them of the 1996 Nobel Prize for peace. This award, which was presented in Oslo yesterday, must send a strong signal to the people of East Timor that they are not forgotten by the international community and be a source of great hope to them that their situation can be improved.

European Union policy 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 respects 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.

In my capacity as President of the Council of Ministers, I have availed of appropriate opportunities, in particular the meetings with ASEAN and other Asian countries in Jakarta last July, to focus international attention on the issue of East Timor, and the EU common position on this subject. I have stressed, in particular, the EU's call on the Indonesian Government to adopt effective measures leading to a significant improvement in human rights in East Timor, especially by implementing fully the relevant decisions adopted in this connection by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

Ireland has designated East Timor as a priority issue for our Presidency and we have held discussions with our EU partners to consider appropriate follow-up action on foot of the common position. Such action largely focuses 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 on 21 December 1996 in New York, and on the all-inclusive intra-Timorese dialogue, which is likely to be convened for a third round early next year. The Minister of State for development co-operation at my Department, Deputy Burton has also indicated the Government's willingness to make a financial contribution available for further intra-Timorese meetings.

During discussions of the situation in East Timor at the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 25 November 1996, Ministers expressed support for the ministerial talks between Portugal and Indonesia, and the hope that there would be some tangible progress gained from these talks. The Council also requested the European Commission to make proposals on certain development projects by the EU in East Timor.