Vol. 538 No. 3
63 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on such attitude and action as the Government proposes to take on the Security Council on foot of the report of the panel of experts on the illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [17902/01]
The report of the United Nations panel of experts on the illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo makes a number of extremely serious allegations against countries involved in the DRC war. Rwanda and Uganda are singled out for particular criticism in relation to the looting and illegal exploitation of resources such as gold, diamonds, coltan and timber that has taken place in the DRC since the outbreak of war in 1998. The activities of Zimbabwe, the DRC and Burundi are also referred to in the report.
The United Nations Security Council held an open meeting on 3 May last to consider the report and, following that meeting, decided to extend the mandate of the panel of experts for a further three months to enable it to update the report, assess progress made, undertake further analysis and follow up on the activities of countries and actors whose activities had not been addressed in depth in the report.
Ireland supported the extension of the panel's mandate and expressed the hope that it would provide a fuller picture of the complexity and extent to which the exploitation of resources in the DRC contributes to sustaining the conflict in the region.
The Government has expressed its concern at the serious nature of the allegations made in the report and has made clear its expectation that the relevant national authorities must thoroughly investigate the allegations and co-operate fully with the panel of experts in its future work. We, therefore, welcome Uganda's decision to establish an independent judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the allegations against it. That commission of inquiry has now begun its work under the chairmanship of a retired British born judge who has served on the Ugandan High Court. It will question all relevant witnesses, including President Museveni.
The panel of experts is due to report back to the Security Council in August with an addendum to its report which will be carefully studied by the Government. If no progress is reflected in this addendum, the Security Council will consider the measures necessary to put an end to the illegal exploitation of the resources of the DRC. It is too early to prejudge what those measures might be but we will continue to work closely with other members of the Security Council to put an end to the illegal exploitation of the DRC's resources.
We have consistently stressed the need to view the panel of experts report in the context of the wider efforts of the international community to end the DRC conflict. In the coming months, we expect progress by the parties on the implementation of the three core aspects of the Lusaka Agreement – withdrawal of all foreign troops from the DRC, the disarmament of armed groups and the holding of the national dialogue to provide for democratic governance in the DRC.
Additional InformationThe exploitation of natural resources to fuel war is not confined to the Great Lakes region. The mining and sale of conflict diamonds is also used to finance wars in Angola and Sierra Leone. Ireland is working actively as a member of the Security Council, particularly as chair of the Angola Sanctions Committee and vice-chair of the Liberia Sanctions Committee, to tackle this problem.
The idea of requesting further information is rather like asking for the number of victims of a rapist. Does the Minister agree that the Congo has been raped? Does he agree that one of the neighbouring armed forces could have benefited in a period of 11 to 18 months to the extent of $250 million from the sale of coltan, gold, diamonds and timber? What action is being prepared by way of sanctions or otherwise on those countries that have been directly involved in the rape of the Congo? As the Minister acknowledges, the further investigation is establishing only the extent and degree.
I would like to ask the Minister another question directly relevant to both him and the Minister for Finance. Uganda, one of the countries mentioned, is quoted as an example by the IMF and the World Bank on the basis of its economic performance which, it would appear, is boosted by the transfer on of material that has been looted from within its neighbour's borders. Are there not very serious questions in relation to the international financial institutions and their attitude to these countries which are effectively pillaging their neighbour?
It was the view of the Security Council, having discussed this matter in open session on 3 May, to extend the mandate of the panel of experts to try to make sure that one could make greater progress beyond the allegations that were being made or whatever evidence there is to see what reaction one is going to get from those against whom allegations are being made. There has been progress in that regard in respect of the response of the Ugandan Government which is prepared to submit itself to the sort of examination envisaged by a High Court judge of that country and the fact that everyone, including the President, will be questioned on this matter. That is a very practical and important step. It does not suggest that is the full measure that will be decided on by the Security Council because it has said that within the next three months it will look to get further evidence, if there is further evidence, and to see what steps the national authorities are taking in the interim, some of whom are taking steps to address this question. Whether the response will be adequate remains to be seen. It is quite right that in August the Security Council will decide whether there has been an adequate response and, if there has not been and the allegations have been established to its satisfaction, what steps it will collectively take.
While the Security Council is in such deep reflection, there are countries that sit with Ireland on the Security Council which are customers for that which is being looted. Does the self-reflection and examination extend to that? The Minister might be well aware of who purchases coltan. I am not asking him to be well aware but he would have a good idea about where diamonds are sold. This information is known. Does the Security Council, in this interim before it returns to the topic, propose to place any sanction on those who are facilitating the looting of a country in Africa with 50 million people who are watching the resources of their country being stolen from them under threat of force? Their neighbour is regarded as an example of good governance and performance by two Bretton Woods institutions.
I agree with the Deputy that the question of the exploitation of natural resources in the Africa region is not confined to the DRC. One sees the same happen in relation to the illicit trade in diamonds in Angola, and we chair the Angola Sanctions Committee. There is evidence of how the war in Sierra Leone was funded. The question of sanctions or otherwise have not been excluded in the considerations of the Security Council. Where it is established and if the response is not adequate, these options will be available to the Security Council. It has not finalised its consideration. The Deputy might be somewhat disappointed that those considerations are not finalised. It is in the process of dealing with the issue and of getting a response. Whether it is adequate remains to be seen. The wider issue of getting these armies from these countries out of that country is a very necessary prerequisite quite apart from what might have emerged from that report in making sure that the natural resources of the people do not continue to be exploited by others.
