Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 4

Written Answers. - Diplomatic Relations.

Liz McManus

Question:

37 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress, if any, made with regard to the Government's stated objective of seeking an end to the US economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba; if Ireland will consider the establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba, even on a non-residential basis, in view of the generally improving relations between Cuba and many other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12030/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 67 together.

The position of the Government remains that set out in my reply of 30 March to another question – we wish to see an end to the US embargo imposed against Cuba. We are working to that end in concert with our European Union partners and have consistently supported resolutions in the UN General Assembly calling for an end to the embargo.

In accordance with the EU Common position on Cuba, adopted in December 1996, our aim is to encourage a process of change, not to precipitate a collapse of authority which could bring about conflict in Cuba or mass emigration from there. But the common position also makes clear that wholehearted co-operation with Cuba is unavoidably inhibited by the persistent absence of fundamental human and political rights in that country.

After the Pope's visit to Cuba in January 1998 there had been a certain easing of repressive measures against political dissidents and a reduction in the number of political prisoners. However, recently the situation has deteriorated again. In January the criminal law was amended to introduce new and even harsher legislation aimed at curbing dissidence.

In March, four members of the internal dissidence group were sentenced to terms of imprisonment. In a statement issued on 17 March, the EU expressed its deep regret at the sentences passed. It pointed out that the people convicted had exercised a freedom of expression which is recognised universally as a human right and that the EU could not accept that citizens exercising such a right should be criminalised by State authorities. The EU also rejected judicial proceedings of a political nature and expressed deep concern about amendments to the criminal law further curtailing the exercise of the rights of citizens.

At the same time, the EU reiterated the continuing objective in its relations with Cuba, namely to encourage a transition to pluralist democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as set out in the common position.

Ireland has supported a number of resolutions on human rights in Cuba at the UN Commission on Human Rights, including at the session just concluded. With all of our EU partners, we once again called on Cuba to co-operate with all the human rights mechanisms of the UN.

In short, Cuba must play its part if it wishes to make progress in its international relations. We look to the Cuban authorities for an improvement in the human rights situation.

I am keeping under continuous review the extension of our diplomatic network, including through non-resident accreditation, to a number of countries such as Cuba. I have, of course, to take account of resource constraints. In the meantime, however, the lack of formal diplomatic relations does not inhibit the development and maintenance of normal contacts with the countries concerned.