Vol. 542 No. 2
115 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give an assessment of the peace process in Macedonia; the success or otherwise of the disarmament agreements; his views on the likely prognosis; and if there is a likelihood of the involvement of Irish personnel there in the future. [23828/01]
The signature of the Framework Agreement on 13 August was a significant step towards restoring stability to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, FYROM. It established a parallel process whereby the armed extremist groups handed over their arms to the NATO Essential Harvest task force while the FYROM parliament voted on a set of changes to the constitution guaranteeing minority rights and multi-ethnic representation in the state institutions. The arms hand-over was completed on 26 September and the armed groups announced their disbandment the next day. This was despite continuing delays in the FYROM parliament in advance of the final vote on the changes to the constitution.
The Essential Harvest arms collection mission was thus a crucial part of this process. It met and exceeded its target, collecting over 3,800 weapons. Judged in the context of the subsequent disbandment of the so-called National Liberation Army, it must be seen as a significant success. At the request of the FYROM authorities, a new, smaller NATO mission Amber Fox is being deployed with German forces in the lead as additional security for international monitors from the EU and OSCE. UN Security Council resolution 1371 "strongly supported" the establishment of the NATO force.
While considerable will has been shown by the political leaders on both sides to reach accommodation, I am concerned that hardline opposition to the necessary constitutional changes required by the Framework Agreement is blocking full implementation of the agreement, and increasing the potential for renewed instability. One of the consequences of the delay in the parliamentary process has been the decision to postpone the donors' conference planned for 15 October. However, I believe that with continued international engagement, led by the EU in close co-operation with the US, OSCE and NATO and supported by the UN Security Council, the process can be maintained and the basis laid for long-term stability, reconciliation and development.
At the request of the Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission, Ireland is this month providing three observers to the mission in FYROM in addition to the personnel currently serving with that mission in the region. We have also provided three monitors for the OSCE mission in FYROM, including two senior border monitors. With the rapid expansion of the international presences facilitating implementation of the agreement, we will be considering further requests for personnel positively as they arise.
