Vol. 490 No. 2
102 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the impending visit by the UN Human Rights Commissioner, Mrs. Mary Robinson, and by the first ever EU delegation to Tibet; and if Ireland supports this visit and the goal of Tibetan independence. [9948/98]
103 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that six Tibetans on hunger strike in New Delphi were calling for UN mediation; and the Irish Government's position in relation to this hunger strike. [9949/98]
104 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the proposals put forward by the Dalai Lama which could lead to a peaceful settlement of the Tibetan problem; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the proposals include negotiations without preconditions which need inveighed independence, creation of mutual trust and the end of repressive policies, Chinese control of foreign affairs and defence and Tibetans to have full control of internal affairs, eventual transformation of Tibet into a zone of peace, protection of Tibet's natural resources and that negotiations must comprise the whole of Tibet and not just the Tibet region; and if Ireland supports these proposals. [9950/98]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 102, 103 and 104 together.
The Government has been deeply concerned by the hunger strike in New Delphi which is reported to have been brought to an end yesterday. The action taken by the six Tibetans involved in the strike has, I believe, drawn substantial attention to their cause. The risk that lives might be lost as a result of their action was always, however, a source of great worry.
The human rights situation in Tibet continues to be a matter of considerable concern to the Government and was raised by me during my meeting with the then Chinese Foreign Minister when I visited Beijing in February of this year. I will raise the question of human rights in Tibet on every appropriate occasion during future contacts with the Chinese. I believe also that direct talks should take place between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese Government; this would be of great assistance in helping to resolve the difficult issues involved. I was aware furthermore of the interest of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the situation in Tibet.
In keeping with the concern felt by all EU member states in relation to the situation in Tibet, a Troika of EU Ambassadors from Beijing will visit Tibet from 1 to 10 May to investigate human rights conditions there. Further action by the EU on the issue will be based on the information obtained as a result of this visit.
