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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Mar 2003

Vol. 562 No. 5

Written Answers - UN Security Council.

Dan Neville

Question:

177 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on Ireland's recent membership of the UN Security Council, setting out the way in which objectives set by the Government were achieved. [6542/03]

Ireland became a member of the Security Council on 1 January 2001 for a two year period.

During its period of membership the Government's approach was to develop independently a national position on each of the issues before the Security Council, to articulate it firmly and consistently, and to work constructively and flexibility to help achieve, wherever possible, a fair and practical outcome in the broadest possible interest of the parties involved and of the international community.

We were sympathetic to the concerns and interests of the wider UN membership whose trust in Ireland was evident in the support it received as a candidate for election in October 2001. Those who supported us will have been fully aware that our membership of the Security Council would be conducted in line with the distinctive approach that Ireland has brought to the UN since it became a member in 1955, including in such areas as peacekeeping, disarmament, human rights and development cooperation.

As a member of the Council, Ireland sought to ensure that human rights and humanitarian needs remained central to the discussions in the Council. We also sought to ensure that the Security Council's primary responsibility under the UN Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security was respected.

During its two year term Ireland was active in maintaining close contacts with the NGO community. It was also diligent in briefing EU partners on developments in the Security Council.

During the period of our membership the Security Council was confronted by a number of very serious challenges.

There were the 11 September attacks, and the ensuing military action in Afghanistan which commenced during Ireland's Presidency of the Council in October 2001. As Presidency, we were in a position to ensure that the actions taken were fully in accord with the letter and spirit of the UN Charter, that the Council was and remained fully involved, that the grave humanitarian situation of the Afghan people remained at the centre of its concerns, and that the UN was at the centre of reconstruction efforts.

Our approach to the Iraq sanctions issue was primarily based on concern for the humanitarian condition of the Iraqi people. We were strong promoters of reform of the sanctions regime to allow the greatest possible flow of civilian goods to Iraq consistent with need to ensure Iraq's disarmament in accordance with its obligations under Security Council resolutions. On disarmament, Ireland was actively involved in the discussions leading to the adoption of Resolution 1441 in November 2002. In these discussions Ireland, with others, insisted on the central role of the Security Council and the importance of offering Iraq the option of peaceful disarmament. We insisted that it was for the Council to determine the course of action in the event that Iraq refused this option, but that in such an event, the Council, in the words of Secretary General Annan, must assume its responsibilities.
On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Ireland argued at every stage for a strengthened Security Council and international role to break the impasse and for a balanced international approach. In the face of a deteriorating situation, Ireland played a central role in ensuring that the Security Council resumed its rightful position at the centre of efforts to resolve the conflict and that it formally enshrined in a resolution the concept of a two State solution. Ireland at all times called for parallel progress on the political, security and economic-humanitarian fronts. It supported the role of the Quartet in their work of developing a road map leading to the achievement of the two State solution.
Ireland pressed for increased Council engagement with African issues, in particular for support for the peace processes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi and Sierra Leone. Ireland was particularly active in calling for re-engagement by the UN with Somalia in opposition to the failed State argument often made about that country. Ireland's permanent representative was a particularly active chairman of the Angola Sanctions Committee, and proved to be its last chairman, with the Council lifting the sanctions in December 2002 as Angola's long civil war was brought to an end.
There was a clear need to enhance multilateral co-operation against terrorism in the wake of 11 September attacks. Ireland was closely involved in this task, particularly in the counter terrorism committee which was established during our October 2001 Presidency. In all the Council's counter terrorism activity, we were insistent that the fight against terrorism must be conducted in full conformity with international law, including humanitarian law, and with full respect for human rights.
I had the honour of chairing an important meeting of the Security Council on East Timor on the last day of our Presidency, which was gratifying given the hard work put in by Ireland and others in ensuring a strong UN presence to assist the people of East Timor achieve independence. It was a source of great satisfaction to the Government that Ireland was able to vote last year in the Security Council to recommend the admission of Timor Leste as the newest member of the United Nations.
Question No. 178 answered with Question No. 113.
Question No. 179 answered with Question No. 142.
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