Bernard J. Durkan
Question:125 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he has assisted through the international community with the situation in Mozambique; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18163/01]
Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.
As I stated in my reply to the Deputy on 9 May, significant progress has been achieved in Mozambique in the past decade. The end of the brutal civil war and the establishment of a multi-party democracy have provided a strong basis for future political development. At the same time, the country's economy has experienced significant expansion.
I remain conscious that this political and economic progress remains fragile. Mozambique's economic performance is heavily dependent on massive inflows of international assistance and considerable political tension remains between Frelimo, the ruling party of President Chissano, and the opposition, Renamo, led by Alfonso Dhlakama. The current political difficulties can be traced to the presidential and parliamentary elections of December 1999, which were disputed and challenged by Renamo. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the results were valid, a verdict also reached by international election observers.
These difficulties exacerbated long-standing political tensions and gave rise to several outbreaks of violence. The most serious incident occurred last November when at least 28 people were killed in clashes between police and Renamo supporters in northern and central parts of the country. Renamo continues to demand more political concessions from President Chissano in exchange for their agreement to accept their opposition status. In recent months, a series of negotiations aimed at ending the political tension has taken place between the president and Mr. Dhlakama. While some progress has been made at these talks, they have so far failed to resolve all outstanding matters.
Along with our EU colleagues, Ireland condemned the violence that took place last November and the excesses which accompanied the demonstrations. I firmly believe that the dialogue between the two main parties remains the only viable way of overcoming the current political difficulties. It is essential that the considerable progress achieved since the end of the civil war is not jeopardised. With our EU colleagues, we will continue to monitor developments closely and to make known our views where appropriate.
Mozambique is a priority country for Ireland Aid. A total of £15.5 million has been allocated for the programme budget for 2001. The Govern ment has provided more than £1 million in emergency assistance to meet the humanitarian needs caused by extensive flooding in 2000 and 2001.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:126 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent he and his UN and EU colleagues are engaged in the situation in Ethiopia; the degree to which achievements have been made to date or are likely in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18164/01]
As I stated in my reply to the Deputy on 9 May, the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea on 12 December 2000 was a significant development that brought an end to their brutal border war. The Government warmly welcomed this achievement and believes that the agreement provides the real prospect of lasting peace for their war weary peoples.
It is essential that the terms of the agreement are fully implemented without delay. I, therefore, welcome the progress that has been made to date. The formal establishment of the temporary security zone – TSZ – on 18 April was an important development. Some elements of the agreement remain outstanding and I urge both parties to resolve these as a matter of urgency.
Ireland has actively contributed to Security Council deliberations on the situation since becoming a member of the council in January. Along with our EU partners, we will continue to support the peace process and promote initiatives aimed at creating long-term reconciliation between the two countries. The Government is also actively exploring the possibility of contributing Irish troops to the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea – UNMEE – later in the year.
There have been signs of rising political tension in Ethiopia in recent months. In April, 38 people were killed and over 200 were injured when protests by students at the University of Addis Ababa escalated into violence. The government accused opposition forces of being behind the disturbances and a number of leading opposition figures were subsequently arrested. Internal difficulties within the main governing coalition party – the TPLF – have exacerbated existing political tensions. In late April, an EU troika delegation met the Ethiopian Government to express our deep concern at the violence and at reports of excessive use of force by the security forces, mass arrests and other human rights abuses. The delegation called for an investigation into the events. We will continue to monitor developments in Ethiopia closely and to express our concerns where appropriate.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:127 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which neighbouring countries are interfering in the internal affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; if he will endeavour to bring a positive influence on the sit uation through mobilisation of international opinion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18165/01]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:132 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he has, at UN or EU level, attempted to influence in a positive way the situation in Africa, with particular reference to the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the impact of outside influences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18170/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 132 together.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to his question on 9 May this year. Since that reply, the United Nations Security Council has extended the mandate of the United Nations mission – MONUC – for 12 months following the almost complete disengagement of opposing troops from front lines in eastern DRC in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1341.
The Government welcomes these positive developments, but has expressed its concern at reported instances of non-co-operation by several of the rebel groups. We have repeatedly stressed that the onus is now on the signatories to the Lusaka agreement to honour their commitments under the agreement and to resist the temptation to use the ceasefire which is now in force and the redeployment of forces to seek advantage over their fellow signatories.
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 – DRC – released in April, makes a number of extremely serious allegations against countries involved in the DRC war. The Government has expressed its concern at the grave nature of these allegations 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.
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. No effort must be spared by the relevant authorities to ensure that activities which undermine the peace process in the DRC are halted and that the Congolese people can finally be allowed to benefit directly from the natural wealth of their own country.
The humanitarian situation in the DRC remains extremely serious and we have supported the call in the most recent report of the United Nations Secretary General for the establishment of humanitarian corridors to allow the resumption of food and other trade between Kinshasa and the eastern and northern provinces. As a member of the UN Security Council, Ireland contributes actively to efforts to end the DRC crisis. Ireland participated in a successful Security Council mission to the Great Lakes region in mid-May which assessed the situation on the ground. We were particularly encouraged by the growing consensus that long-term stability in the region depends on the dismantling, through disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration and repatriation, of the so-called negative forces operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
It is important that all those parties subscribe to the wish of the international community for the reintegration of the national territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the assumption by the Congolese people, at long last, of control over their own political and economic destiny.
Question No. 128 answered with Question No. 70.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:129 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, at the UN or through his colleagues in the European Union, he has attempted to influence developments in Macedonia; if he proposes to take further initiatives in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18167/01]
The situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia – FYROM – is extremely serious. There is a real risk of escalation and of regional destabilisation that had to be addressed by the international community. Ireland, through our membership of the EU and of the UN Security Council, has consistently condemned acts of extremist violence and supported a proportionate response by the government of FYROM, while calling for the maximum possible restraint. With our partners in the EU, we have also repeatedly stressed the need for inclusive political dialogue to ensure long-term stability and to respond to the legitimate needs of the ethnic Albanian community in FYROM.
Ireland participated in the drafting of UN Security Council Resolution 1345 on the situation in FYROM on 21 March. This called,inter alia, on leaders of ethnic Albanian communities in Kosovo, FYROM and southern Serbia publicly to condemn violence and to use their influence to secure peace and on KFOR to strengthen border security measures further. The European Union has also played a leading role in international efforts to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the crisis. A stabilisation and association agreement between the EU and FYROM was signed on 9 April. Ireland has encouraged High Representative Solana in his extensive talks with political leaders in FYROM as he worked to avoid the declaration of a state of war and secure a joint commitment to substantive political negotiations.
The European Council at Gothenburg reaffirmed the necessity of a political solution. It announced that an agreement in the political dialogue, which it is willing to facilitate further, will create the conditions for the EU to provide further assistance to FYROM. In this context, the Council agreed to appoint, for a limited period of time, a representative of the EU, resident in Skopje, who will act under the authority of the High Representative.
Questions Nos. 130 and 131 answered with Question No. 121.
Question No. 132 answered with Question No. 127.