Bernard J. Durkan
Question:98 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give an update on the situation in Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22644/00]
Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.
The long running conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea centres on the border area where jurisdiction has been disputed since before Eritrea's declaration of independence from Ethiopia in 1993. A framework agreement, brokered by the OAU in July 1999, was accepted by both governments but could not be implemented because of disagreement on the interpretation of technical arrangements. Fighting broke out again in May this year.
Following pressure from the international community, both sides returned to the talks at the end of May and in June signed "an agreement for a cessation of hostilities". The main elements of the agreement are a ceasefire, a UN peacekeeping mission under the auspices of the OAU, and the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces to the line invaded in 1998 by Eritrea. This agreement is not a final resolution of the problem, but has cleared the way for negotiations, which it is hoped will open shortly.
The Government has welcomed the ceasefire agreement signed in June in Algiers, and will continue to support Organisation for African Unity, (OAU) initiatives as the channel for a peaceful long-term solution to the conflict. To this end, we have recently contributed $75,000 to the OAU liaison mission to the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Ethiopia has been one of six priority countries for Irish development assistance since 1994. The bilateral aid programme in that country continues to have a clear focus on poverty alleviation through long-term sustainable development, with a concentration on multi-sectoral programmes in Tigray, Sidama and Gurage. Some £1,618,000 has been made available to Ethiopia since the beginning of the year. This funding has been channelled through the world food programme and the Irish NGOs Concern, Trócaire and GOAL, who are operational in the country.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:99 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give an update on the situation in East Timor; the extent to which he has or will contribute positively to the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22645/00]
I remain concerned at the situation in East Timor. With regard to developments within East Timor itself, I am satisfied that the UN mission – UNTAET – is making good progress on the work of reconstruction and capacity building in order to enable the territory to proceed towards independence.
This task is sizeable and complex, but I am pleased that the UN mission is proceeding now so as to set in place suitable structures that can be sustained by the Timorese themselves after independence. A key aspect will be the assumption of responsibility by the Timorese across the full spectrum of administration in all areas, and this is already being addressed by a progressive sharing of tasks and responsibilities within the UNTAET mission and its structures with the local population in what is referred to as "Timorisation". I understand that, over the period ahead, more and more responsibilities will progressively be handed over by UNTAET.
While it is not possible to be definite about dates for the conclusion of UNTAET's work, the present plans are to arrange for elections to a constituent assembly in the second half of 2001. The assembly would then draw up a constitution and, when this has been adopted, a government will be formed.
In anticipation of these elections, political forces are now starting to regroup within East Timor with a view to forming political parties. While these developments and realignments could have some effect on the current umbrella body of East Timorese politicians – the CNRT, National Council of Timorese Reconstruction – the expectation of the international community is that such developments will take place in an environment of emerging democratic and constitutional methods.
The continued presence of militias in West Timor – with infiltrations into East Timor – and the large number of East Timorese refugees still there, continue to pose not only an ongoing security threat, but also a serious impediment to the timetable which I have outlined. The threat of destabilisation resulting from militia activity in West Timor was highlighted in particular in early September by the murder of UN aid workers in West Timor and the withdrawal by the UN of their staff from there.
The international community, including Ireland, both bilaterally and through the EU, has made fully known to the Indonesian authorities our concerns at their failure to deal decisively with the militias and the refugee problem in West Timor. These concerns are currently at the centre of discussions between Indonesia and the UN Security Council and, while the Indonesian authorities have recently taken measures to address these problems, continued vigilance by the international community will be required.
Ireland maintains its contribution to the military component of UNTAET, with the most recent rotation of our contingent just completed. Further contributions will be decided in close consultation with the UN.
Ireland will continue to provide financial assistance in the amount of at least £1 million per annum for the reconstruction of East Timor. The new head of our aid liaison office in Dili will arrive there shortly and I expect this office to be fully functioning as soon as the necessary infrastructure has been set in place.
Question No. 100 taken with Question No. 65.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:101 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give an update on the situation in Montenegro; if he has or will contribute positively to the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22647/00]
While Slobodan Milosovic was still in power in Belgrade, there had been continuous tension between President Djukanovic of Montenegro and the Milosovic regime. The Montenegran authorities refused to recognise the validity of the recent election for Federal President of Yugoslavia because they considered certain constitutional changes invalid. Now that President Kostunica has emerged as the clear winner of that election and has been inaugurated as President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, FRY, tension between the two constituent republics of FRY, Serbia and Montenegro can be expected to ease significantly. The two presidents have expressed their willingness to enter a constructive dialogue on the future relations of their respective republics.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:102 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give an update on the situation in Zimbabwe; the extent to which he has or will contribute positively to the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22648/00]
The Government continues to be concerned about the situation in Zimbabwe. With our European Union partners, we have consistently called on the Government of Zimbabwe to put an end to the violence and intimidation, and to ensure full respect for democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law.
Together with our EU partners, Ireland expressed concern to the Zimbabwean Government about violence and intimidation, including the illegal occupation of farms, prior to the elections in June. Ireland participated in the EU observer team at the elections. Although there were a number of serious problems in the way the elections were prepared and conducted, the results appear to have been accepted by the majority of the political parties in the country and we hope that the Government will establish a constructive dialogue with the opposition.
With regard to the issue of land reform, we have called on the authorities to respect the rule of law and to work for a just and equitable solution in accordance with the principles of the 1998 Land Reform Conference, as soon as possible.
Zimbabwe is not among the six priority countries for Irish development assistance, but Ireland Aid does fund a programme in that country, which is managed through our embassy in Lusaka. The programme focuses on water and sanitation projects in Matabeleland, support to the Southern Africa Regional Institute for Policy Studies and to local organisations combating the effects of HIV/AIDS.
Ireland was a long-standing supporter of the Zimbabwean independence movement. The Government will continue to support all peaceful efforts to resolve the present difficulties, and to ensure that the democracy which the people of Zimbabwe worked so hard to achieve will continue to grow and prosper.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:103 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give an update on the situation in Sierra Leone; the extent to which he has or will contribute positively to the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22649/00]
The Government is deeply concerned at the situation in Sierra Leone, which remains highly volatile. With our EU and UN partners, we support a strategy which further stabilises the security situation, repels the rebels, restores the peace process and helps to rebuild Sierra Leone.
The military situation in Sierra Leone is currently at an impasse, with areas of control remaining essentially unchanged during recent weeks, despite some skirmishes. Half the country remains beyond the control of the Government. Most recent RUF activities were thought to be defensive in nature, although cross-border attacks from Liberia and Guinea remain a source of grave concern.
We have strongly condemned the actions taken by the RUF in direct violation of the Lomé Peace Agreement of last year, and have called on them to end all violence, to disarm, to release all detainees unconditionally and safely, and to implement the peace agreement which remains the basis for lasting peace and stability in Sierra Leone.
The Government and its EU partners are determined that the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, UNAMSIL, be given the support needed to fulfil the mandate given to it by the Security Council.
A recent UN Security Council resolution has extended UNAMSIL's mandate to 31 December 2000 and it is hoped that the strength of the mission will be raised to 20,500 over the forthcoming months. As regards troop contributions, while India plans to withdraw its contingent by the end of the year, I understand that other countries have made significant commitments of troops and equipment to the mission.
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.
Question No. 104 taken with Question No. 74.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:105 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to the current situation in Eritrea; the extent to which he has or will contribute positively to the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22651/00]
The long running conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia centres on the border area where jurisdiction has been disputed since before Eritrea's declaration of independence from Ethiopia in 1993. A Framework Agreement, brokered by the OAU in July 1999 was accepted by both governments but could not be implemented because of disagreement on the interpretation of technical arrangements. Fighting broke out again in May this year.
Following pressure from the international community, both sides returned to the talks at the end of May and in June signed "an agreement for a cessation of hostilities". The main elements of the agreement are a ceasefire, a UN peacekeeping mission under the auspices of the OAU, and the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces to the line invaded in 1998 by Eritrea. This agreement is not a final resolution of the problem, but has cleared the way for negotiations, which it is hoped will open shortly.
The Government has welcomed the ceasefire agreement signed in June in Algiers, and will continue to support OAU (Organisation for African Unity) initiatives as the channel for a peaceful long-term solution to the conflict. To this end, we have recently contributed $75,000 to the OAU Liaison Mission to the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea.
The drought currently affecting the Horn of Africa has lead to serious food shortages which could affect over 12 million people in the region. In the case of Eritrea, the conflict with Ethiopia and the resultant presence of hundreds of thousands of displaced people have exacerbated the situation. There are currently over 260,000 internally displaced persons, IDPs, living in camps or host communities with no means of support.
Ireland Aid's response to the needs in Eritrea has been timely and even-handed. When first alerted to the threat of food shortages late last year, a grant of £50,000 was made to the world food programme to provide relief food assistance to IDPs. In June of this year a further £200,000 was made available to the world food programme for its humanitarian programme, which provides general food distributions to IDPs and deportees in the camps as well as targeted distributions to the vulnerable in the host communities affected by the war and the drought. A grant of £75,000 was recently allocated to Refugee Trust who are providing humanitarian assistance to families near the border with Ethiopia.
The Irish Government, through its membership of the European Union, has contributed 20,000 tonnes of cereals to the country and £2 million of emergency relief. Ireland will continue to monitor the situation closely over the coming months.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:106 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to the current situation in Nigeria; the extent to which he has or will contribute positively to the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22652/00]
President Obasanjo and his Government continue to face immense challenges in the quest for long-term political and economic stability in Nigeria following the lengthy period of authoritarian rule and economic mismanagement. The Taoiseach met the President at the Africa-Europe Summit in April and at the Millennium Summit in September and he assured the President of Ireland's support for his endeavours.
The President's personal commitment to the promotion of democracy in Africa, and his work to revive the Nigerian economy and restore integrity and sound leadership to the country is strong. We welcome the positive initiatives taken to date, and with our EU partners and other members of the international community we will continue to work to promote political and economic reforms, and to co-operate with the elected authorities towards strengthening the rule of law, respect for human rights and good governance in Nigeria.
In recent months, the introduction of Islamic Sharia law in certain parts of Northern Nigeria, and the efforts by some State authorities to extend it, have exacerbated ethnic and religious tensions there. Tensions in the Niger Delta region are also a cause for concern, as is the recent disruption caused by the recent series of nationwide strikes.
Ireland Aid has made available to Nigeria £330,164 of co-financing assistance with NGOs since the beginning of the year. This funding has been primarily been channelled through Irish missionary groups in the country. This year, Ireland Aid has also financed projects for the country's prisoners and young offenders to the value of £101,059.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:107 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to the current situation in Algeria; the extent to which he has or will contribute positively to the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22653/00]
Officials of my Department have raised the question of human rights in Algeria with Algerian counterparts and have also held continuing discussions on this subject with our EU partners. It is a major focus of our relationship with that country and remains a serious cause of concern. As part of the EU-Algeria dialogue, the EU has encouraged necessary reforms, modernisation and improvements in human rights, and has offered constructive assistance through the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. In this partnership dialogue, Ireland has sought to maintain a strong focus on human rights and the promotion of the role of civil society.
I would also refer the Deputy to my reply to Deputy Broughan's related oral question today regarding the situation in Algeria.