Vol. 504 No. 4
60 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's view of the continuing military conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea; if he will support international efforts to secure a halt to the fighting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12033/99]
64 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he and his EU General Affairs Council colleagues have taken to try to bring an end to the conflict between the Ethiopian authorities and Eritrea. [12013/99]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 60 and 64 together.
The Government is supporting international efforts aimed at bringing about an immediate cessation of hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea and a return to the peace negotiations being mediated by the Organisation of African Unity. This futile conflict, the political and economic costs of which neither country can afford, is destabilising them both as well as the region of East Africa. It is also having an unacceptable impact on their civilian populations in human rights, humanitarian and social terms. Together with our EU partners, we have raised these concerns at the recent 55th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva.
Over the past week, the OAU, UN, EU and other members of the international community have intensified their efforts to resolve this crisis. While both sides of the conflict have nominally accepted the OAU peace proposals, international pressure is now being brought to bear so that remaining differences of interpretation can be resolved. Such a resolution is urgently required if further military clashes on the tense Ethiopia-Eritrean border are to be prevented.
The UN Special Envoy for Africa, Mr. Mahomed Sahnoun, has been carrying out a shuttle mission between the capitals of Ethiopia and Eritrea. He has also visited the capital of Burkina Faso whose president, Mr. Blaise Compaore, is currently chair of the OAU. As well as meeting the relevant political leaders, Mr. Sahnoun met in Addis Ababa with the OAU Secretary General, Mr. Salim Salim, and briefed ambassadors of the high level delegation – Burkina Faso, Djibouti and Zimbabwe which has been mandated by the OAU to facilitate a settlement. In addition, he briefed the Irish and other heads of mission who are following the situation closely and availing of their ongoing bilateral contacts to press for an early peaceful settlement. President Compaore has also made himself available to travel immediately to Addis Ababa and Asmara subject to developments.
The mission by special representative Sahnoun is part of the ongoing co-operation between the UN and OAU Secretaries General which is intended to support the OAU mediation and secure agreement to the proposed OAU peace framework. The UN Secretary General has initiated contingency planning for a possible peace-keeping mission which would support an OAU-brokered settlement. It is hoped that this renewed co-operation can, with intensified EU and international support, lead to an immediate cessation of hostilities followed by a resumption of political dialogue.
