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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 4

Written Answers. - African Diseases.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

63 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the appalling situation in the west African state of Niger where hundreds of thousands of children are being killed and disfigured by the wasting disease, noma; the plans, if any, he has to provide special aid to help deal with this situation in view of the fact that mouthwash costing as little as £2 can prevent the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12039/99]

Dinny McGinley

Question:

88 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current situation in Niger; and the steps, if any, he and the EU General Affairs Council have taken to assist the region in view of the regular reports of hundreds of thousands of deaths including children. [12008/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 88 together.

Niger, together with many countries in Africa, is currently faced by a variety of preventable diseases which cause widespread suffering and death. These diseases such as polio, measles and noma are often beyond the capacity of governments to tackle on their own. In the case of Niger, recent political upheaval has further impinged on such capacity.

Consequently, there is a need for international organisations such as the World Health Organis ation to become involved in the fight against such diseases. Ireland supports the World Health Organisation through our annual funding of its core programmes. This international aspect is also useful as these diseases are of course manifest across international borders.
The European Union roundly condemned the recentcoup détat which took place in Niger and during which President Bare Mainassara was assassinated on 9 April. In particular, it deplored the suspension of the 1996 constitution and the dissolution of the elected parliament and of the government calling upon the military leadership to set a timetable for an early return to democratic government.
While there have been some moves to create the conditions necessary for a return to democratic government, efforts are being made by the EU to ensure that this takes place with full accountability and respect for the human rights of all citizens and the rule of law. We are seeking to establish a more detailed calendar of transition, respect for basic human rights, judicial impartiality, press freedom and access, good governance and a credible hand-over of power to the transitional government.
In view of this major setback to Niger's democratic development, the EU has decided, at the General Affairs Council on 26 April, to open consultations with Niger under Article 366(a) of the Lomé Convention. This mechanism is intended to safeguard democracy in Lomé-assisted countries. This may lead to full or partial suspension of EU development co-operation with Niger unless the necessary urgent reforms are implemented.
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