Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 7

Written Answers. - Angolan Peace Process.

John Browne

Question:

52 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Government will use its influence as EU President to ensure the continued protection of human rights in Angola after the withdrawal of the United Nations Verification Mission in February 1997, by bringing pressure to bear on the international political community to establish a follow-up mission to take over from the UNAVEM III Human Rights Unit; and whether the Government will use its influence as EU President to elicit an early commitment from each of the EU member states to establish such a mission under the auspices of the EU if the international political community fails to act as a whole. [23980/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The Government and our EU partners continue to support strongly the peace process being conducted between the parties in Angola under the terms of the Lusaka Protocol of 20 November 1994. Much progress has been made during the two years since the signing of the Protocol with strong support from the United Nations, the Organisation of African Unity, the European Union and other members of the international community. The two years of the Protocol have been the most stable experienced by Angola following decades of conflict which have taken an enormous toll on its people. However, despite the evident progress, a lasting settlement in Angola is not yet assured and the EU, along with other members of the international community, is actively seeking to ensure that the current crucial phase of the peace process can be consolidated.

The concern of the international community at the slow pace of the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol was reflected in the terms of Resolution 1075 which was adopted by the UN Security Council on 11 October. Since the adoption of Resolution 1075, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative to Angola, Mr. Alioune Blondin Beye, has been engaged in a series of intensive consultations, including with President José dos Santos, Mr. Jonas Savimbi, leader of UNITA, regional leaders and the Vice-President of South Africa, in his efforts to bring forward the peace process alongside a phased reduction in the total strength of military personnel deployed under UNAVEM III. In his report to the UN Security Council of 2 December, the Secretary General has recommended the resumption of the gradual and progressive withdrawal of UNAVEM III military units in February 1997, with a view to a complete drawdown within a period of six to seven months.

The Secretary-General has also reported that UNAVEM III has continued its public awareness campaign and other activities to promote human rights, some of which are aimed at restoring confidence and dialogue between the parties and at fostering national reconciliation. The Angolan Government was also assisted in providing human rights training for selected personnel to serve in provincial institutions as well as for civic education monitors in the provinces. These activities have encouraged the organisation of human rights committees at local level. As of 28 November, 57 allegations of human rights violations had been submitted to UNAVEM III and were investigated by its relevant units. The Secretary General has highlighted this important issue as well as those of goverance, public accountability and capacity-building in the law and order field as deserving of increased attention in the present phase of Angola's peace process. In so doing, he has also expressed his appreciation of the generous contribution made by the European Union in its provision of human rights experts and the recent renewal of their contracts until February 1997 and has expressed the hope that this support will be made available beyond that date.

While recognising that the gains made to date under the Lusaka peace process need to be consolidated and that a continued UN presence will be required after February 1997, the Secretary General has confirmed that the activities of UNAVEM will be increasingly concentrated on political, police and human rights monitoring, vital humanitarian activities including de-mining, as well as public information programmes. He has undertaken to elaborate further on these tasks and to make recommendations on the mandate, structure and size of a follow-up UN presence after the withdrawal of the bulk of UNAVEM's military units.

In keeping with the support which we have been providing to date in human rights and other areas, I have every confidence that the European Union will given positive consideration to recommendations which the Secretary-General may make. Our immediate priority continues to be that of ensuring that the necessary conditions are created to prevent any resumption of the conflict, thereby facilitating the peaceful establishment of inclusive democratic institutions and full observance of human rights and the rule of law in Angola.