Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 4

Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

101 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in Kosovo and the Irish contribution towards the resolution of problems there; his views on whether little or no progress has been made towards a political settlement whereas progress has been made in relation to humanitarian aid and reconstruction; and the further steps, if any, proposed in this regard. [4190/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

103 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the methods by which Ireland can assist in combating human rights abuses in Kosovo and in former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4637/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 103 together.

Following the ending of the Kosovo conflict last year, Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council effectively put Kosovo under a UN administration. The mandate of UNMIK, United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, is to restore a high degree of democratic self-government to Kosovo involving all ethnic groups. With the aid of international organisations such as the OSCE and the Council of Europe, UNMIK has made some progress towards this end, in particular through the setting up in January of the joint interim administrative structure as a means of involving the local population in their own government. Unfortunately, the Serbian community is currently boycotting these arrangements and has indicated that it will continue to do so until the security situation for its community is improved.

Recent reports record a sharp deterioration in the security situation, particularly in the Mitrovica area. These reports have detailed a number of incidents of attacks against Kosovo Serbs, including a rocket attack on a UNHCR bus transporting Kosovo Serbs, and revenge attacks against the Kosovo Albanian community. At the beginning of February there were several days of rioting in Mitrovica, which is divided between Serb and Albanian areas. Several civilians were killed or injured and 11 KFOR personnel were hurt by rioting Albanians.

Ireland, together with its European partners, is making a contribution towards the resolution of the problems in Kosovo both directly and within international bodies – United Nations, EU, OSCE and the Council of Europe. Ireland has also contributed a transport company from the Defence Forces to KFOR and Irish civilian personnel recruited under the aegis of my Department are working with the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. This is in addition to the Irish contribution to the humanitarian relief effort there.

As regards humanitarian aid and aid for reconstruction, directly and through the EU, substantial assistance has already been provided and will continue throughout this year. In 1999 the Government provided £6 million in humanitarian assistance for Kosovo and Kosovar refugees. At the Second Donors' Conference for Kosovo in November, Ireland pledged to provide at least £1 million to aid rehabilitation and reconstruction during 2000. In addition, the European Commission has made 360 million euros, £283 million, available for assistance within Kosovo this year. This package is part of a much larger programme covering the whole western Balkans region.

In spite of the security situation, which has been and will remain a major concern, I consider that political progress has been made with the setting up of the interim administrative council and the JIAS and substantial steps towards involving the local population in their own government. The local political party centres opened by the OSCE last year to help local politicians prepare to operate democratic structures are successful. It is hoped, when electoral registration currently under way is complete, to hold elections later this year. This will be major step towards setting up democratic governmental structures in Kosovo.

It would be premature, however, to speak of a settlement. The Serb community remains to be convinced that its interests are best served by participating in the JIAS. Some Kosovo Albanian political leaders show signs of being willing to take the lead in responding to calls by UNMIK to dissociate themselves from attacks on the Serb community, but it may be some time before the Serb community will feel confident enough to play a full role in the political life of the province. Once Serb participation is achieved the task of setting up agreed governmental structures following elections will have to be completed. Further down the road decisions will have to be made as to the eventual status of Kosovo.

Human rights is a major concern of UNMIK. It has set up an ombudsman's office to act as an agency guaranteeing human rights and to deal with complaints against the civil administration of Kosovo. It is working with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia to resolve questions concerning persons who have been missing since the conflict. I consider that the best way in which Ireland can assist in addressing human rights abuses in Kosovo is in assisting UNMIK and supporting its work in international fora, such as the UN General Assembly, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, and practically on the ground.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

104 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of Irish Government aid towards addressing human rights issues in East Timor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4638/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

Since 1997, a total of £134,777 has been provided in support of projects in East Timor from Ireland aids, human rights and democratisation scheme. This scheme aims to contribute to capacity-building in relation to democratic processes and institutions and the promotion and protection of human rights in developing countries.

In the case of East Timor, the projects and groups supported have included a training programme on conflict resolution, developed by Trócaire and an East Timorese NGO – this project included workshops and consultations leading to a feasibility study on a programme on conflict resolution training appropriate to the context, culture and capacity of the people of East Timor; a project run by the East Timor Human Rights Centre, Melbourne, Australia – ETHRC – on the protection and promotion of human rights in East Timor – the project documented human rights violations and provided training and education in human rights for East Timorese people, with a view to building a human rights culture for the future; a human rights training and documentation programme run by the East Timor International Support Centre, Darwin, Australia, which included human rights training and the publication of a brochure on human rights violations in East Timor; and a local Timorese NGO, confidentiality requested on identity, working on increasing international awareness of the human rights situation in East Timor and promoting a just settlement of the conflict there.

In addition, a contribution of £50,000 was made to the UN trust fund for East Timor, which was established to provide the funding necessary for the ballot on the future of East Timor. Funding was also provided in support of the former Minister, Deputy Andrews' role as EU Presidency personal representative to the East Timor consultation process.

Since September 1999, Ireland Aid has allocated £700,000 in humanitarian assistance to East and West Timor. The Government is committed to spending at least a further £1.3 million. Work is currently under way on a continued strategy which will provide carefully targeted assistance to the East Timorese people in developing their self reliance and building their new nation. This task of nation building, along with reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, will be crucial to their future. Ireland Aid plans to target its contribution in this field at initiatives developing local capacity to work towards the successful establishment of democratic processes and institutions, which will integrate respect for human rights into the official structures of the new nation.