Bernard J. Durkan
Question:106 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has taken initiatives at United Nation or European Union level regarding the situation in Somalia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29439/01]
Written Answers. - Somali Peace Process.
During Ireland's candidacy for a seat on the United Nations Security Council, we made clear our intention to focus on issues of African concern should we be elected. In the 11 months since we took our seat we have followed through on this promise. One clear example of this commit ment is the prominence we gave to Somalia during our presidency of the Security Council in October 2001. On 19 October Ireland chaired the first full public debate on Somalia in 18 months. We took this initiative in the belief that the international community needs to refocus its attention on Somalia. The public debate was very constructive and the Security Council agreed to issue a substantial statement on the situation in the country.
As President of the Security Council, I had the honour of issuing this statement on behalf of Council members. In the statement the Council reiterates its support for the Arta peace process, which led to the establishment last year of a transitional national assembly and Somalia's first government for more than a decade. The statement also recommends that the UN Secretary General dispatches an inter-agency headquarters-led mission to Somalia to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the security situation in the country and to prepare proposals for how the UN can assist the transitional national government.
Ireland firmly believes that the Arta process continues to be the most viable basis for peace and national reconciliation in Somalia and we will continue to support it. Ireland is also a member of the International Partners Forum which supports the regional Inter-Governmental Authority on Development. We have indicated our support for IGAD's efforts to build peace and stability in Somalia, and see these efforts as complementary to the Arta process. In March this year Ireland participated in the joint IGAD-International Partners Forum meeting in Rome at which the situation in Somalia was discussed in detail. We are also conscious that the humanitarian circumstances in the country remains poor. Ten years without effective government and poor climatic conditions have seriously undermined the ability of the people to provide for themselves adequately. Consequently, Ireland has contributed over £800,000 in humanitarian assistance so far this year to meet the humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable groups in Somalia.
Question No. 107 answered with Question No. 101.