Liz McManus
Question:17 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's position on the current situation in Algeria and the reports of continued serious human rights abuses there. [22361/97]
Written Answers. - Human Rights Abuses.
Pádraic McCormack
Question:27 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the meetings, if any, he has had with Algerian diplomats; and the progress, if any, made in arranging a meeting with the Algerian Foreign Minister. [22396/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 27 together.
The Government remains seriously concerned at the situation in Algeria, especially at the ongoing violence which has resulted in continued loss of life and enormous suffering. Because of this concern, and in order to see the situation at first hand and to assess how it might be improved, I made a visit to Algeria this week, from Monday evening until yesterday.
During my visit I had lengthy and very frank discussions with President Liamine Zeroual, Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, and Speaker Bensalah of the National Assembly. I also met the chairmen of the foreign relations and defence committees of the assembly. I made clear, in all my discussions, the feeling of outrage in the international community at the continuing slaughter and suffering in their country. I stressed our solidarity with the people of Algeria and the urgency of continuing political and economic reforms, including the protection of human life.
The President and the Foreign Minister both gave me a detailed account of their Government's reaction to the crisis — politically, economically and in the security area. They stressed their commitment to building a pluralist and democratic society that fully respects and promotes human rights. The terrorist onslaught, which had gone through successive phases of targeting different groups, had, in their view, culminated in indiscriminate attacks on the population as a whole and might now be nearing an end. The state was fulfilling its legal obligations of protecting its citizens, using force only where necessary. They accepted that some abuses had occurred, but maintained that all allegations were being investigated and that those responsible for illegal acts would be brought to justice.
I believe that, as a result of my visit, the Algerian Government will be more open to dialogue with countries, such as Ireland, which have deep concerns about the problems it faces. I indicated that my visit had the full support of the President of the EU Council of Ministers, Mr. Poos, and that I would be reporting to him and to my other EU colleagues. I intend to do so when we meet next Friday in Luxembourg.
From the standpoint of bilateral relations, I believe that my visit was timely and that it should pave the way for increased contacts and exchanges in a number of fields, including trade. Algeria has, in the past, been a significant market for Irish beef, and I am hopeful that it will be in the future.
I do not underestimate the gravity of the crisis in Algeria, or the extent of alienation felt by many of the population. High unemployment, an acute shortage of housing and other problems have all combined to aggravate the situation. The Algerian Government is keen to attract outside support and investment, but I made it clear to it that a prerequisite for this was an improvement in external perceptions of the situation, including the handling of the security situation. For their part, my interlocutors all stressed the importance that they attached to improved relations with the countries of the European Union. I very much hope that the effect of my visit will be to encourage those positive tendencies that already exist and, by reducing the sense of isolation, help the people of Algeria to escape from the appalling difficulties that confront them at present.