Ray Burke
Question:43 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will inform Dáil
Written Answers. - EU Troika Meeting.
Éireann of the outcome of the EU Troika meeting with the US Under-Secretary of State for Human Rights, John Shattuck, in Brussels on 21 February 1997 which was to discuss, among other issues, the question of the UN resolution on human rights in China; whether the Government supports the resolution; and the progress, if any, made in gaining the united support of the EU for the resolution. [6597/97]
I refer to my reply to Question No. 52 of 13 February in which I set out the policy of Ireland and our EU partners on human rights in China and on the possibility of a resolution on the matter at the annual session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
In the meantime, the matter was discussed further at the meeting of the General Affairs Council on 24 February. The Council reaffirmed its willingness to pursue a dialogue with China on human rights, aimed at encouraging respect for international human rights norms. The Council expressed the hope that there would be rapid progress in this regard, following several contacts which had taken place recently with the Chinese authorities, particularly on the part of the EU and the US. The council also encouraged the Presidency to pursue and intensify, in close co-operation with other interested parties, consultations and preparatory work already under way towards the possible tabling of a draft resolution on China at the Commission on Human Rights. A final decision in this regard will be taken in light of any further relevant developments.
Discussions with the United States are an essential part of the consultation process signalled by the General Affairs Council at its meeting on 24 February. Ireland, together with our EU partners, will continue to liaise closely with the US and other interested parties in arriving at a final decision on the matter.
While I can confirm that a meeting took place between the EU Troika and the US on 21 February, the Deputy will be aware that it is not normal practice to report on the detail of such Troika consultations, which are conducted on a confidential basis. From public statements made by representatives of the US Administration in recent weeks, it will be clear that the views of the US in regard to the possible tabling of a draft resolution at the Commission on Human Rights are broadly similar to those of the Union.