Bernard J. Durkan
Question:184 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the up to date position in relation to the situation in Rwanda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10272/03]
Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.
Since my reply to the Deputy on 5 March, there have been few developments to report. The consequences of the 1994 genocide continue to dominate Rwandan political life and will impact on presidential and legislative elections scheduled to take place later this year. A referendum on the adoption of a new draft constitution is also scheduled to take place later in the year.
At the General Affairs and External Relations Council last October, the EU adopted a revised common position on Rwanda which aims to support national reconciliation, reconstruction and development, the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental civil liberties and the transition to democracy. The common position also emphasises the need to ensure that political parties are able to participate freely in the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. It encourages the Government of Rwanda to continue its co-operation with the office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and to ensure the independent and effective functioning of the national human rights commission.
Ireland and our EU partners continue to press the authorities in Rwanda to ensure that conditions conducive to open and democratic elections are put in place, thereby laying solid and durable foundations for peace, democracy and reconciliation in Rwanda. We will continue to encourage the liberalisation of political activities. We will also continue to monitor freedom of expression, particularly the freedom of the media, in the run up to the election.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:185 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the up to date position in relation to the ongoing strife and starvation in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10273/03]
The Government is concerned at the growing political instability and ongoing food security crisis in Zimbabwe. Principal causes of the food deficit include the prolonged drought, the devastating impact of the HIV-AIDS pandemic, economic mismanagement and extremely poor governance.
An Ireland Aid emergency team visited Zimbabwe in January 2003. The team found that a rapid response by the international humanitarian community, including Ireland, had averted immense human suffering. However, the overall outlook for the country is bleak. A severe foreign currency shortage and steep economic and social decline means that assistance requirements for Zimbabwe this year will again be enormous, with up to nine million people in need of food aid by June 2003. On foot of the Ireland Aid visit, a funding strategy has been designed to ensure that our humanitarian aid targets the most vulnerable in Zimbabwe. The Government has allocated €2.3 million for food and other essential needs since the crisis began last year. Financial support has been given to Irish non-governmental organisations and key international humanitarian agencies.
The food crisis has been greatly exacerbated by political instability. The EU has been consistently vocal in its opposition to human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. On 28 March, the EU issued a declaration condemning the violence and repression against the opposition following two days of national strikes called by the opposition on 18 and 19 March.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:186 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the up to date position in relation to the situation in El Salvador; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10274/03]
I provided an overview of the political and economic situation in El Salvador in my reply to Question No. 276 of 11 March 2003, which also detailed recent Ireland Aid funding to that country.
Since that reply, mid-term legislative and municipal elections have taken place. The elections on 16 March 2003 resulted in some changes in parliamentary strengths. A number of smaller opposition parties failed to reach the 3% vote threshold and will no longer be represented in Congress. Voter abstention was approximately 58%. In the 84 seat unicameral Congress, the governing National Republican Alliance or Arena of President Francisco Flores won 27 seats – two fewer seats, with approximately 32% of the vote, while the former rebel Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN overtook Arena as the largest party, winning 31 seats – six extra seats, with approximately 34% of the vote. The balance of power in Congress will rest with smaller parties. The National Conciliation Party or PCN retains its position as the third largest party, with 16 seats – two extra seats. The Chris tian Democratic Party or PDC and the Union for a Democratic Centre or CDU coalition won five seats each.
The FMLN as the largest party is expected to occupy the presidency of the legislature. This will give it enhanced influence over parliamentary business. During the last legislative session, the PCN voted with Arena on most key issues, providing President Flores with an overall majority in Congress. Some members of PCN are now seeking to distance the party from Arena in advance of the 2004 presidential elections. It remains to be seen whether the party will continue to support Arena.
In the elections for 262 municipal councils, Arena suffered losses to the FMLN in the capital, San Salvador, and in other large urban centres of population such as Santa Tecla and Soyapango. Although Arena has retained control of the majority of municipal councils, particularly those in rural areas, the FMLN, because of its large gains in densely populated areas, now has responsibility for areas in which more than 60% of the Salvadoran people reside.
Question No. 187 answered with Question No. 84.