Gay Mitchell
Question:50 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to ensure that humanitarian aid to Iraq is UN led. [10177/03]
Ceisteanna – Questions (Resumed). Priority Questions. - Overseas Development Aid.
From the outset I have emphasised that the UN must play a central role in any humanitarian relief operation in Iraq. The UN has the authority to co-ordinate humanitarian responses world-wide and also has a substantial record of achievement in this area. The recent experience of the UN's role in East Timor clearly shows how strong a force for good the UN can be when its members act in a united manner and its work in Afghanistan has also been particularly valuable.
The UN system includes a wide range of humanitarian agencies such as UNICEF, the World Food Programme and UNHCR, which have unparalleled experience in responding to natural and man-made emergencies throughout the world. The UN also works in close co-ordination with NGOs and other agencies. This collaboration has been very effective in the current food crisis in southern Africa and can be effective in Iraq too.
The Taoiseach conveyed the Government's strong views on the critical importance of the UN role in Iraq in his meeting yesterday with President Bush and the Prime Minister Mr. Blair. The Deputy will be aware that in their joint press statement, the President and the Prime Minister made it clear that the United Nations "has a vital role to play in the reconstruction of Iraq". They stated they plan to seek the adoption of new United Nations Security Council Resolutions that would affirm Iraq's territorial integrity, ensure rapid delivery of humanitarian relief and endorse an appropriate post-conflict administration for Iraq.
They also welcomed the appointment by the Secretary General of a special adviser for Iraq. The Taoiseach has also written to the Secretary General of the United Nations and the President of the Security Council emphasising the concerns of Ireland about the humanitarian situation of the people of Iraq. The Taoiseach also requested regular humanitarian briefings from the Secretary General and his colleagues. In addition, in recent days the Taoiseach has spoken by telephone with the Secretary General on the importance of the United Nations in post-conflict Iraq.
I greatly welcome the unanimous decision of the Security Council, through Resolution 1472, authorising the Secretary General to administer the oil for food programme. I hope the resumption of the programme will mean that basic food assistance can once again reach those who are most vulnerable.
The European Council at its meeting of 21-22 March highlighted the need for the UN to play a central role during and after the current crisis and urged the Security Council to give it a strong mandate for this mission. We have announced an emergency assistance package of €5 million for the people of Iraq and this will be disbursed through NGOs and international agencies including the UN. In addition the Government has provided almost €15 million in un-earmarked funding for UNICEF and UNHCR to enable these UN agencies to respond flexibly to international emergencies such as that now occurring in Iraq. In addition €750,000 has been provided to the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Assistance. The UN has issued a special appeal for Iraq which we are now examining. Our intention is to respond to this with funding from within the allocation of €5 million.
Arising from the Minister of State's reply, we hear that it is important and vital that the UN plays a crucial role in Iraq. There is a European Council meeting this weekend in Athens. What steps have the Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs taken to persuade their colleagues at the meeting that the European Council should be centrally involved in ensuring the UN has a central, leading role in the future administration of Iraq?
Is the Minister of State concerned that there are elements within the US administration which appear to take the view that persons involved in the military Government of Iraq in the past, with definite records of genocide, are suitable candidates to run or participate in running Iraq after the departure of Saddam Hussein? Has the Minister of State raised this concern with the US administration?
I agree with the Deputy that the EU has a vital role in this period. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Taoiseach have emphasised this while working to try to bring consensus to the EU. We have acknowledged that that has not been easy but the Secretary General will attend this Council meeting and the purpose of the Irish Government's representation there is to ensure we can get that common ground and work with the Secretary General.
Regarding the Deputy's second question, I can only go by the statement from President Bush and the Prime Minister Mr. Blair yesterday regarding their ideas on to how to proceed. The one word that encouraged me was "partnership"– that from now on we would have a partnership role between the US and the UK, the countries in Iraq at present, and the United Nations. We are beginning to see the pattern of how things will develop.
The Deputy will know our position on the central role of the UN and I outlined in my reply what we want to happen, though obviously I cannot answer for the Governments of the US or Britain on the details of how they see this developing. I assure the Deputy that our Government, mainly as part of the EU but also by using our strong connections and contacts with the Secretary General of the UN, will proceed along the lines I outlined. We will continue to work with our colleagues in that regard.
Arising from the Minister of State's reply, will he confirm it is expected that the European Council, at the meeting to be attended by the Secretary General this weekend, will come out with an agreed statement on the future role of the UN in post-Saddam Hussein Iraq? A person under house arrest in Denmark and facing inquiries about genocide, if not definite charges, has apparently been spirited out to the Middle East. Does the Minister of State agree that it would be totally wrong and unacceptable for a person with that pedigree to be considered suitable to participate in the post-Saddam Hussein government of Iraq?
As we speak the situation is evolving and changing and will continue to do so up to the weekend. Our main concern is to see an end to this conflict and the minimum loss of life, as we have said time and again. On the basis of the updated position at the weekend, I am confident our position will be one from which we strive to reach consensus among our EU colleagues. That will be our approach.
Regarding particular individuals, clearly we are anxious to see the best people involved at every level. However, as I said earlier, a clear outline of how things will shape up in the future was presented by Mr. Bush and Mr. Blair yesterday and we now clearly see our role in bringing about the best possible solution. The Deputy has outlined his concerns and I share his concerns about individuals. We will endeavour to ensure the best possible people are in place in the process with which we will have to deal. Our bottom line is to get the Iraqi people involved in governing their own country. A number of stages are involved in bringing that about and the important point is that the UN will be involved in areas with which we are closely involved – the humanitarian and administration processes. The UN special adviser will be involved in that all along the way but I agree with the Deputy that the EU also has a crucial role to play in the process.