Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 5

Written Answers - Middle East Peace Process.

Alan Shatter

Question:

57 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is the Government's policy to support the formation of a UN observer force to report on incidents of violence that occur between Israelis and Palestinians; the proposed terms of reference of such observer force; the proposed location of any such force; the discussions to date in which the Government has engaged concerning such proposals; and the role which he envis ages the Defence Forces would play in any such force. [9110/01]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

59 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government supports the proposal for the introduction of an international mission of military and police observers to monitor the clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli security forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12934/01]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

86 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he favours the establishment of a United Nations police monitoring group in those areas where Israeli troops and Palestinian protesters are in confrontation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12915/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 59 and 86 together.

The Government is deeply concerned at the continuing and tragic violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ireland believes that United Nations observer forces can play an important role in situations of violence. Consequently, the Government was sympathetic to the proposal for a United Nations mechanism to afford protection to civilians in danger due to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We firmly support practical measures to achieve this, but recognise that it can only be done with the consent of both the Palestinians and the Israelis and cannot be imposed.

During March, Ireland was actively involved in intensive discussions at the United Nations Security Council about the situation in the Middle East. The council was very close to agreement on a resolution, drafted in part and co-sponsored by Ireland, addressing the full range of issues involved.

Had this resolution been adopted, it would have marked concrete, practical progress towards ending the violence and resuming peace negotiations. In particular, it would have mandated the UN Secretary General to consult the parties on how to implement a mechanism to protect civilians. We still see this as the best way forward.

It also called for an immediate end to all acts of violence and provocation; resumption of contacts at all levels; an end to the closures of Palestinian towns and territory; resumption of peace negotiations; implementation of existing undertakings; the transfer by Israel to the Palestinian Authority of all revenues due; full co-operation with the fact-finding committee inquiring into the outbreak of violence; and generous financial assistance to the Palestinian people.

However, in the final event, a different text was tabled, one which sought to establish an observer force without the agreement of the parties. An observer mission could not be deployed or function effectively without the consent and co-oper ation of both sides. It would be contrary to all UN peacekeeping practice to impose such a mission except in the case of chapter VII enforcement under the UN Charter, which was not the position in this case.

In our opinion, the draft tabled was impractical and did not have any chance of making a positive contribution. Together with France, Norway and UK, we therefore abstained in the vote. We did this in order to safeguard the substantial progress made on all sides, largely through the efforts of the European members of the Security Council, to achieve a worthwhile outcome. Ireland is continuing to explore if a further constructive effort in the Security Council may be possible in the future.

As no agreement has been achieved on a UN observer force, it would not be appropriate at this point to speculate on the terms of reference of such a mission, nor on any possible role for the Defence Forces.