Bertie Ahern
Question:9 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Taoiseach if he will give details of his recent meeting with President Mugabe of Zimbabwe. [7509/97]
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Visit of President Mugabe.
Trevor Sargent
Question:55 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on his meeting with President Mugabe of Zimbabwe on 10 March 1997. [7533/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 55 together.
I met President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe on Monday, 10 March in Government Buildings. President Mugabe briefed me on the current situation in eastern Zaire and the Great Lakes Region. He spoke of his role as one of the group of regional leaders mandated by the December 1996 Nairobi Summit to take the necessary initiatives to resolve the problems in these areas.
The President expressed the view that these are principally African problems and solutions must be found within Africa. He cautioned that any solutions imposed from outside might be unacceptable to Africa and as a result could prove unworkable. However, that was not to deny the international dimension of the problems involved and the continuing need for international assistance and support. We also briefly discussed the Irish aid programme in Zimbabwe and bilateral trade.
I was glad to receive the Taoiseach's invitation to attend the discussions. How best can this country help Zimbabwe?
We can help Zimbabwe by continuing trade and investment links and bilateral aid. It is a developing economy with considerable prospects and possess tremendous natural wealth and fertile agricultural lands. We have a capacity in these areas as well as the manufacturing area to be of assistance to Zimbabwe. All kinds of technical assistance would be appropriate since a good structure is in place and Ireland has a good relationship with Zimbabwe.