Written Answers. - Plan Colombia.
Enda Kenny
Question:
261
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he has satisfied himself that Plan Colombia will ensure that civil and political rights of the Colombian people are protected; if he has further satisfied himself that the plan is sufficiently broad and of a sufficiently multi-dimensional nature as to be able to achieve a national reconciliation based on peace and justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24187/00]
Enda Kenny
Question:
262
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
his view of the extent of Plan Colombia being a military strategy to combat the narcotics industry; if he has satisfied himself that the nature of the conflict in Colombia requires a multi-dimensional response from international administrations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24188/00]
Enda Kenny
Question:
263
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the view of the Irish Government in respect of Plan Colombia; if he has investigations made into reports that the military aid programme for Colombia will escalate armed conflict and exacerbate the human rights issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24189/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 261, 262 and 263 together.
Plan Colombia sets out the proposals of President Pastrana's Government to address on a broad, integrated and multi-dimensional basis the enormous problems facing that country. The preface to the plan states: "We need to build a state for social justice, which will protect all our citizens and uphold their right to life, dignity and property, freedom of belief, opinion and the press . . . we have to reduce the causes and provocations of violence by opening new paths to social participation". The plan encompasses: (1) the peace process; (2) new approaches to the economy; (3) counter-drugs strategy; (4) reform of the justice system and protection of human rights; (5) democratisation and social development.
The plan envisages overall expenditure of $7.5 billion, $4 billion of which is to be provided by the Colombian Government, with 75% of all moneys to be allocated to socio-economic, human rights and institution-building programmes. President Pastrana has appealed for a total of $3.5 billion in assistance from the international community.
In July 2000, the US Congress approved $1 billion aid over two years in equipment and training for the Colombian police and army to enhance their anti-drugs capability – particularly crop eradication on industrial drug plantations.
More than $300 million was provided by Congress for a range of social, economic and institutional reform programmes including: voluntary alternative crop development for small farmers; environmental protection; assistance for displaced persons; protection for human rights workers; support for Colombian and international NGOs in documenting incidents and patterns of collusion between paramilitaries and state forces; support for the development of a national human rights strategy and the establishment of a network of human rights task forces; reform of the judicial system and criminal code: training of police and judges.
In discussions to prepare the European Union position on Colombia, Ireland placed particular emphasis on full respect for human rights, meaningful consultation with civil society and the necessity to address the underlying causes of conflict. At the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 9 October, the EU reaffirmed its political support for the peace initiative of President Pastrana, with the adoption of the following conclusions, which propose a specifically European, multi-dimensional programme of support for the peace process, incorporating many of the valid themes advanced by NGOs.
"The European Union reaffirms its political support for the peace effort initiated by President Pastrana. Together with the international community, it wishes to be of active assistance in the negotiating process which, against a background of consultation of civil society and with the agreement of all parties, should lead to peace rooted in human rights, humanitarian law and fundamental freedoms.
Continuing its present efforts, the European Union will implement a substantial European programme of socio-economic and institutional support for the peace process in Colombia, aimed at promoting and protecting respect for human rights, humanitarian law and fundamental freedoms, improving the living conditions of the local populations, encouraging the cultivation of alternative crops and the protection of bio-diversity, and supporting the introduction of structural reforms in all fields that fuel armed conflict".
At the meeting of the international peace process support group in Bogotá on 24 October the EU Presidency made a detailed declaration on behalf of the European Union setting out the broad, multi-dimensiomal approach of the Union. I am arranging for a copy of this declaration to be placed in the library of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
I would draw attention in particular to the areas in which the European Union intends to focus its actions: 1. support for the rule of law; 2. the defence of human rights and of international humanitarian law; 3. the fight against the causes of violence, and assistance for the victims of violence; 4. the protection of biodiversity and the environment; and 5. the enhancement of consultation and regional co-operation.
The declaration sets out a number of specific steps that need to be taken to achieve these objectives. It makes it clear that the European Union sees no alternative to the peace process: there is no military solution which could lead to lasting peace. It stresses that particular attention needs to be paid to the protection of human rights, to respect for international humanitarian law, and to the victims of violence. The use of drugs and the violence which results from it are undermining Colombian society and the Union is ready to develop co-operation to counter this menace. Progress in the peace process will stem from the fight against the causes of violence. That is why the European Union is encouraging the Colombian Government to adopt structural reform policies for reducing inequalities, promoting social development and improving the standard of living, particularly in the countryside.
At the Bogotá meeting, the European Commission confirmed a contribution to the EU peace support programme of 105 million for the period 2000-06. EU member states outlined their bilateral aid. Ireland, stressing the human rights and other criteria set out in the General Affairs Council conclusions of 9 October, described the projects co-financed with Irish and Colombian NGOs.
At Bogotá, too, there was a general welcome for the successful outcome of the meeting jointly convened by the Colombian Government and the NGO grouping Paz Colombia, with wide international participation, in Costa Rica from 16-18 October.
It is expected that international support for the peace process will be finalised at a meeting to be hosted by the EU Commission-Presidency in Brussels during the second week of March 2001.
