Proinsias De Rossa
Question:1 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, he has to attend the Asia Europe summit in London on 3 and 4 April 1998; his priorities for the summit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7163/98]
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Asia Europe Summit.
The second Asia Europe Summit or ASEM II will be held in London on 2 to 4 April and will be attended by the heads of state or government of ten Asian and the 15 EU member states together with the President of the European Commission.
The summit will provide an ideal opportunity to strengthen political, economic, cultural and scientific ties between Europe and Asia. While the final agenda has not yet been agreed, it is expected that the current economic conditions prevailing in Asia, the strengthening of trade and investment links, as well as issues of current political concern to the participating countries will form the basis of discussions.
I also intend during the course of the summit to improve our relations with the Asian states. In particular, during the course of any bilateral contacts which may take place, I will underline the attractions of Ireland as an investment location and express our desire to improve trade, economic and cultural relations at every level.
I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. When the Taoiseach says he wants to improve relations and trade with the Asian countries, will he raise concerns about the way in which some governments in Asia govern their people? I am particularly concerned about Indonesia which is in control of East Timor where the abuse of civil and democratic rights is appalling. Will he seek a bilateral meeting with the vice-president of Indonesia, Mr. Habibie, who I understand may be attending the summit, to impress on him our concerns about the way in which the people of East Timor are being treated?
I will do so if given the opportunity. I have sought a number of bilateral meetings, some of which have been confirmed. I am not sure if President Suharto will be at the summit. If I am given the opportunity, I will restate our position and view on human rights in East Timor which remain a matter of serious concern to this House. That concern has been communicated to the Indonesian Government on numerous occasions and it will continue to be expressed at every appropriate opportunity. Unfortunately, human rights abuses are continuing in East Timor. I had a number of meetings recently with the Australians and others during which I raised East Timor and I will do so again.
My understanding was that the vice-president, Mr. Habibie, was to attend the summit, although it is fine if Mr. Suharto attends instead. Will the Taoiseach seek a meeting to impress on him our concerns?
Is the Taoiseach aware that there is considerable unease among the non-governmental organisations in Asia and Europe about the collapse of the so-called Asian tiger economies and the fear that the people will be asked to bear the brunt of their reorganisation? Is he aware that a non-governmental coalition of organisations from Asia and Europe will meet in London prior to the ASEM II conference at which it hopes to present its concerns? Will the Taoiseach agree to meet this coalition and to support its demands to be heard by the ASEM II conference? It is important that the concerns of the people in these countries are heard.
I am not sure if the president or vice-president will attend the summit but I have sought a meeting with them. I am aware of the concerns of the non-governmental organisations and I agree with much of what they have said about human rights and economic issues. Those organising the summit must decide if they can address it. I do not know what arrangements have been requested or made, but I have not been asked to meet them.
As regards the economic crisis, the European Union has continued to work to try to assist these groups. Some 29 per cent of the overall funding given to these countries to deal with the financial and economic crisis has been extended by the European members to the International Monetary Fund. Most of those resources have gone to Thailand, Korea and Indonesia. There are many other issues on the agenda for next week. The NGOs and other organisations want to know how the International Monetary Fund will reinforce the global response to this crisis. There is concern that the people will bear the brunt of the crisis which would be totally unsatisfactory.
I support calls to strengthen the IMF global surveillance which is complemented by the Asian regional surveillance mechanism. This issue has been highlighted by many people in the countries which have suffered greatly. European Union countries want to assist at technical, financial and other levels as appropriate. These matters will be discussed at the summit and Ireland will adopt a positive attitude. This summit is the first opportunity since the Asian crisis in September to hear how bad the situation is and to address some of the issues. As the Deputy is aware, various bleak reports have been published about how the people are handling the situation and trying to work their way out of it.
Will the Taoiseach confirm with which countries he has sought bilaterals and those that have given a confirmation in that regard? Is Thailand one of them? If he has arranged a bilateral meeting with representatives of Thailand will he take that opportunity to inform them of the passage through this House during the past two years of legislation on sexual exploitation of underage children which is now on the Statute Book? During the last ASEM conference the issues of money laundering and drug trafficking were raised. Does the Taoiseach intend to raise those issues in the context of advances made in the European Union with regard to Europol and other initiatives that have been taken? I urge the Taoiseach to meet representatives of the Indonesian Government to express our concern about the continuing ongoing lack of human rights in Indonesia and East Timor.
I will endeavour as best I can to raise those issues. I have not yet seen details of the form of the discussions, but I believe a good deal of them will focus on economic difficulties. The summit will last almost two and a half days and I hope to have an opportunity to raise those matters. The Department of Foreign Affairs has organised the meetings and I am not sure with which countries they have been arranged. I was anxious to meet the Premier of China and that meeting has been confirmed. I wish to raise the issue of the lack of human rights in Indonesia and regardless of who is representing Indonesia, whether President Suharto or the Vice-President, I will convey the views of this House on that matter.
Will the Taoiseach convey our views to the Thai representatives?
Yes.
Will the restriction on access to the South East Asian markets in respect of Irish food products arising from the WTO be an agenda item? Does the Taoiseach have a strategy to increase access in respect of Irish food products to that important market? Has the Taoiseach's Department or any other Department carried out an analysis in advance of the summit of the implications of South East Asian investments in Ireland?
I do not believe that item will be on the agenda. I have seen the extensive brief of the various issues we are trying to raise with these countries and I will avail of whatever opportunities there are to raise that matter. It is not often we have an opportunity to meet senior representatives of those countries. The Deputy is aware we have many opportunities for investment in them and that many of our pension and other resources are in long-term investments in those countries. Our strategy must be to ensure we build on the wise investments we have made, most probably mainly in infrastructure, and that we use our position and the support we have given to many of those countries to promote our trade and other opportunities. There are different analyses of how long those countries will be in recession, but there is a view that in the medium term of a few years most of them will move on from that. It is in our interests to be as supportive of them as possible, to promote as many of the investment opportunities we have as possible and to ensure we maintain good bilateral relations with them while remembering we must stress strongly our views on civil and human rights.
Given that the conference is being held under the auspices of the Presidency of the European Union currently held by the British Government and its laudable policy is to consult its people as often and as effectively as it can, will the Taoiseach take the opportunity between now and next week to contact the British Government to seek to ensure that non-governmental organisations have access directly to the conference or to various delegations who will attend it? It is essential the voices of those representing NGOs, particularly those from Asian countries, are heard. A number of Asian countries do not allow their people to speak openly. That is the case in Indonesia and East Timor which it currently occupies. It is essential those people's voices are heard by the representatives of the European member states who will attend that conference. Will the Taoiseach consider contacting the British Prime Minister or ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to contact the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Cook, to seek to ensure that NGOs have access directly to the conference or to delegates?
The IMF is notorious for imposing conditions, even on well developed countries, which have an appalling impact on the ordinary people. Will the Taoiseach express concern about the nature of the conditions applied by the IMF to redevelopment in those countries?
I am sure Deputy De Rossa will acknowledge that when I was Minister for Finance I argued the plight of NGOs in many countries, particularly how the International Monetary Fund did not assist many of the developments in which we are engaged. I do not know the arrangements for the NGOs and whether they will have a formal session. I will make inquiries on that.
They do not have formal access.
They do not have any formal communication at the conference. I will raise that matter. In regard to Deputy Owen's question, I advise her that I have sought meetings with Singapore and Malaysia.