Dinny McGinley
Question:67 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps the EU General Affairs Council has taken in relation to the situation in Sierra Leone. [12843/00]
Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:104 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures he will take at UN level to ensure observance of the EU missions in Sierra Leone, with particular reference to the provision of sufficient back up to guarantee the safety of personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13207/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:105 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the serious threats to the work carried out by UN peacekeepers arising for the situation in Sierra Leone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13208/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:106 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the deteriorating situation in Sierra Leone culminating in the capture and detention of UN personnel on peacekeeping duty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13209/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 67, 104, 105 and 106 together.
The Government is deeply disturbed by reports of the killings and abductions of United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, UNAMSIL, personnel and has condemned the actions taken by the Revolutionary United Front in direct violation of the Lomé Peace Agreement.
Together with our EU partners, we have called on the Revolutionary United Front, and in particular on its leader, Foday Sankoh, to cease all attacks against UNAMSIL, to release all detainees safely and unconditionally, and to implement fully their commitments under the Lomé Peace Agreement, including the implementation of the disarmament, demobilisation and re-integration programme. On 7 May, at our informal meeting in the Azores, EU Foreign Ministers recorded deepening concern at the return to conflict within Sierra Leone and at the escalating violence. The presidency was mandated to approach the Secretary General of the United Nations to express the full support of the EU for the Lomé Peace Agreement and the efforts of the UN to fulfil its mandate in Sierra Leone.
The latest developments call into question the progress achieved since the ceasefire agreed in July 1999 in Lomé and the UN Security Council Resolution of 7 February 2000 authorising the expansion of the UN mission in Sierra Leone, UNAMSIL. We have consistently called on all parties to the agreement to fully implement its provisions, and to observe human rights and international humanitarian law.
The Government and its EU partners are determined that UNAMSIL be given the support needed to fulfil the mandate given to it by the Security Council. We support the appeal of Secretary General Annan to the leaders of the region to redouble their efforts to bring the situation under control and we welcome the international efforts taken in recent days in support of the implementation of Security Council Resolutions 1270 and 1289. The Government will continue to support efforts aimed at securing lasting peace and stability in Sierra Leone and at alleviating the suffering caused to the people there by the nine years of civil war in the country.
With regard to the safety of Irish citizens, all but two of the citizens known to have been in Sierra Leone have left or been evacuated from the country. The two remaining are clergymen who are reported safe in Kenema, some distance from Freetown.
Paul Connaughton
Question:69 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the situation in relation to hostages taken in the Philippines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12856/00]
The Government fully shares the concern of the European Union about the fate of the hostages who were kidnapped on the Malaysian island of Sipadan on 23 April and are now being held by Muslim rebels on the Philippine island of Jolo.
The matter was considered at length by me and my EU colleagues at our informal meeting last Sunday in the Azores. We strongly condemned this action and called on those responsible to release all the hostages immediately. The EU will spare no effort to secure their safety and early release. The EU supports the efforts of the Government of the Philippines to secure the safety of the hostages. The EU trusts that the Government of the Philippines will explore all possible avenues in order to resolve the matter peacefully and to avoid harm to the victims.
The EU member states whose nationals are among the hostages have sent senior representatives to Manila to give appropriate assistance to the Government of the Philippines. The EU has also decided to send the High Representative of the European Union, Mr. Javier Solana, to the Philippines to convey personally to the Government there the EU's wish that every effort is made to secure the release of the hostages.
We are fully aware of the pain and suffering caused by this cruel act not only to the hostages themselves but also to their families. I am sure that Members of this House will join me in expressing sympathy to all concerned.