Ivor Callely
Question:182 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in Afghanistan, particularly in the context of Parliamentary Question No. 121 of 19 June 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24161/01]
Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.
The situation in Afghanistan has been one of particular concern to Ireland and the international community for a long time. As I stated before the House in June, the situation in Afghanistan was extremely grim and has clearly deteriorated since then. The Government's priorities remain the search for a process to bring about peace and stability in Afghanistan and the continuation of efforts to ease the humanitarian suffering of the Afghan people.
Ireland, in its Presidency of the Security Council, is consulting at every level on the medium and long-term prospects for Afghanistan. In the days and weeks ahead, the major political forces within and outside Afghanistan will be required to demonstrate their support for a political process. This will only succeed with the reintroduction of appropriate UN humanitarian and civil structures on the ground. The appointment by the UN Secretary General this week of a special representative to Afghanistan, Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi, is very welcome and close contact is being maintained with him. Ambassador Brahimi has a long and distinguished career in the service of the UN and has overall authority for UN humanitarian and political efforts in Afghanistan. He will manage peacekeeping initiatives with a view to facilitating the establishment of a fully representative, multi-ethnic and broad-based Government and will initiate preparations to develop plans for the rehabilitation of Afghanistan.
The Government has announced a £2.8 million grant aid package, the largest ever for a single emergency, to support the work of Irish NGOs and the main international agencies in responding to the crisis in Afghanistan. Combined with the £1.2 million emergency package already in place for Afghanistan this year, this brings the total assistance provided by Ireland Aid for Afghanistan in 2001 to £4 million.