Proinsias De Rossa
Question:33 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the talks he has had with other Ministers of the European Union on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [8394/01]
Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.
I discussed the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC, with my French counterpart, Foreign Minister Védrine, in Paris on 23 February last. The DRC was also discussed at the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 26 February.
In my discussions in Paris, I commended Foreign Minister Védrine on France's work in drafting United Nations Security Council Resolution 1341, which sets deadlines for the disengagement of opposing forces in the DRC and urges them to adopt a timetable for the complete withdrawal of all foreign troops from the DRC. I am pleased to inform the House that Ireland played an active role in the drafting process. In accordance with the resolution, the disengagement of troops began on 15 March and is being observed by members of the United Nations Mission in the DRC, MONUC.
The General Affairs Council on 26 February welcomed the adoption of Resolution 1341, and underlined the crucial importance of the rapid deployment of the MONUC mission. The members of the council were pleased to note the commitments made by the parties involved in the conflict to relaunch the implementation of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement, and welcomed President Joseph Kabila's decision to accept the facilitator of the inter-Congolese dialogue, Sir Ketumile Masire. The council also expressed dismay at the humanitarian situation in the DRC, and concern at the continued recruitment of child soldiers in the conflict.
The council confirmed the European Unions support for the MONUC Mission and stressed the EUs readiness to increase humanitarian aid to the country.
The Council also made it clear that it would consider appropriate action by the Union if the parties failed to honour their commitments.