Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Jun 2001

Vol. 538 No. 3

Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

123 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation regarding the most recent developments in Algeria; the degree to which he has influenced or proposes to influence the situation there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18156/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

There has been a serious deterioration in the situation in the mainly Berber region of Kabylie in north eastern Algeria. Violence followed protests at the reported death in police custody of a Berber youth, Guermah Massinissa, on 18 April and alleged assaults by the Algerian police on members of a Berber student organisation. These events sparked off public demonstrations across the region, with clashes taking place between the Algerian security forces and Berber youths in a number of population centres.

According to the Algerian authorities, 30 demonstrators were killed in clashes between the security forces and rioting youths. Other reports have put the number of deaths as high as 80. There have been demonstrations in other parts of Algeria, including the capital, Algiers, in support of the Berber protests. On the political front, one of the main Berber political parties, the Rassemblement pour la Culture et la Democratie – RCD – pulled out of the government on 1 May in protest at its handling of the situation. The President of Algeria has announced the creation of an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the causes of the violence.

The Government is deeply saddened at the outbreak of violence and loss of life in Kabylie. It remains very seriously concerned at the deteriorating situation in Algeria. The Government believes that all sides should avoid actions which could result in further violence. In particular, it calls on the Algerian authorities to exercise restraint and to take additional measures to defuse the current crisis and bring about a peaceful restoration of calm in the region. In the longer term, it calls on the Algerian authorities to take concrete measures to address the underlying social, economic and political issues which lie at the heart of the recent unrest.

The Government continues to take every appropriate opportunity in its bilateral contacts and through the process of dialogue between Algeria and the EU, especially in the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, to help improve the situation in Algeria. We have urged the Algerian authorities to take the necessary steps that will hopefully lead to an ending of the conflict and for the establishment of independent mechanisms for the investigation of human rights violations and for bringing those responsible to justice.

The situation in Algeria was discussed by the EU at the meeting of the European Council in Gothenburg on 15 and 16 June. The Council urged all those responsible in Algeria to act to end the current confrontations and violence. It called on the authorities to launch a political initiative to overcome the crisis by means of dialogue among all Algerians and stated that the EU stands ready to assist the political, economic and social reforms necessary for restoring peace, stability and prosperity.