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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 2 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 2

Written Answers. - Ethiopia – Eritrea Conflict.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

65 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's views on the continuing conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea; the initiatives, if any, the Government is taking or supporting through the EU or the UN to secure an end to the conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25520/99]

The Government remains extremely concerned at the failure to resolve the ongoing conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea and at the continued delay in implementation of the OAU framework agreement, approved by the OAU summit in Algiers in July.

The Government has conveyed its views about the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities under OAU mediation to both the Ethiopian and Eritrean authorities on every possible occasion. I again raised our concerns about the situation during my recent meetings with Ugandan and Kenyan leaders in Kampala and in Nairobi last month. With our EU partners, we continue to urge Ethiopia and Eritrea to end all hostilities, proceed to the signature of a ceasefire agreement, subscribe immediately to the modalities, and fully implement the OAU framework agreement.
We will continue to support all international efforts, notably those of the OAU and UN, vigorously to pursue the peace process and to achieve a comprehensive settlement to this futile conflict, the political and economic costs of which neither country can afford. The current situation is destabilising for both countries and for the wider region of East Africa and is having an unacceptable impact on civilian populations in human rights, humanitarian and social terms.
We have also underlined our readiness to support the UN and the OAU in the implementation of the peace agreement. The UN has commenced the deployment of military liaison officers in the region and work is ongoing in New York in preparation for a UN peacekeeping force to assist the parties in implementing the agreement.
With our partners, we have stressed the necessity of ensuring peaceful and permanent disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of the militia groups currently operating in the region, with a view to promoting justice, national reconciliation and respect for human rights.
Ireland continues to support the work of the EU special envoy to the Great Lakes region, Mr. Aldo Ajello, who is actively pursuing the Union's objectives through his direct contacts with the UN, the Organisation of African Unity, regional leaders and other key figures. We believe that the holding, at an appropriate time, of an international conference on peace, security and development in the Great Lakes region will help ensure lasting stability.
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