Brendan Howlin
Question:127 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the Middle East and his discussions with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. [23734/01]
Written Answers. - Middle East Peace Process.
Austin Deasy
Question:150 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the protests which the Government has made to the Israeli authorities regarding their treatment of Palestinians; if the Government have given consideration to severing diplomatic relations with the state of Israel unless the behaviour of the Israelis improves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23758/01]
Austin Deasy
Question:152 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts the Government is making to assist in the setting up of an autonomous Palestinian State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23759/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 150 and 152 together.
I visited the Middle East from 9 to 11 September, when I cut short my planned tour in response to the terrible events in New York and Washington. During my visit, I met President Mubarak and Foreign Minister Maher of Egypt, with President Katzev and Foreign Minister Peres of Israel and with Palestinian President Arafat. My discussions with all of these figures revealed a depth of concern on all sides about the direction of the peace process.
I took the opportunity of this visit to express once again the consistent Irish view, which is shared by our European Union partners, that the only hope for peace in the region is a cessation of acts of violence on both sides and an early resumption of dialogue with a view to implementing the proposals in the Mitchell report immediately and without preconditions. I drew on our own experience of peace-making, in which Senator Mitchell also played such a distinguished role.
I told Foreign Minister Peres and Israeli President Katzev that the lifting of closures on Palestinian areas, the release of funds owed to the Palestinian Authority by Israel and an end to settlement activity are all essential elements in any move towards dialogue. I spoke to Foreign Minister Peres by telephone on 24 September and reiterated the Government's desire to see a resumption of dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
Ireland has made these points on numerous occasions, both in public statements and at the Security Council. The European Union has also raised these issues repeatedly, both in declarations and in face-to-face meetings with the various political leaders in the Middle East.
News of the atrocities in the United States broke as I was en route to Gaza to meet President Arafat with the intention of encouraging his efforts to renew the peace process. In the circumstances, our proposed agenda was replaced by a discussion of the attacks and their possible implications for the Middle East. We held a brief meeting before giving a joint press conference. I emphasised to President Arafat the need for clear and unambiguous condemnation of these atrocities and the need to distance himself and his supporters from terrorism and violence. The President was visibly shaken by the news from the United States.
On 18 September President Arafat published his peace message to the people of Israel and ordered an immediate and complete ceasefire. In response the Israeli Government ordered a halt to offensive actions against Palestinians by their Defence Forces. I welcomed these moves in a statement that day.
I was pleased to see that the first face-to-face meeting for many months between President Arafat and Foreign Minister Peres took place in Gaza on 26 September.
No one can be under any illusion that the parties to this conflict will resolve matters between themselves without international support and occasional pressure. There has clearly been a renewal of international commitment to the region in the past few weeks, which I welcome. Ireland will contribute to peace efforts in the region to the extent of our possibilities through the European Union, the United Nations and other international fora as well as in our on-going bilateral contacts with all the parties.
The European Union has made a number of recent public statements concerning the unacceptable behaviour of the Israeli occupation forces in the occupied territories, with which Ireland is fully associated. A meeting of the parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilians in Time of War is under preparation at present to examine the behaviour of the Israeli authorities during the occupation. Ireland will participate fully in that meeting. The Government has not considered the possibility of breaking off diplomatic relations with Israel. It is important to maintain diplomatic contacts with both parties to the conflict through our Embassy in Tel Aviv and our representative office in Ramallah. This arrangement gives us a clear and balanced view of events and direct and immediate access to both parties. Most importantly, if Ireland is to exercise influence in this situation, it is essential that we are accepted as an impartial and fair-minded partner by both sides.
Ireland has long recognised the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including their right to their own state. The best prospect of achieving a viable, independent state, which exists in fact and not only in name is, as the Palestinians themselves recognise, through the Middle East Peace Process.
In terms of practical assistance to the Palestinian people, Ireland Aid has had a development programme for the Palestinian territories for some years. Ireland Aid expenditure there this year is budgeted at approximately IR£1.2 million in addition to the IR£1.24 million provided in emergency relief since the start of the Intifada.