Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.
Róisín Shortall
Question:
45
Ms Shortall
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will make a statement on the present position in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the status of the peace initiative; and the prospects for inclusive governance structures.
[30468/03]
Richard Bruton
Question:
81
Mr. R. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
his views on the current political situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and the Defence Forces' involvement in missions and operations associated with the Congo.
[30406/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 81 together.
Substantial progress continues to be made in the efforts to bring about a just and lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The transitional government comprising representatives of the government of President Kabila and the main rebel groups took office last July. This has been followed by the recent swearing-in of rebel leaders among the four vice-presidents of the country. An interim parliament was also officially inaugurated in August. A particularly important development which I welcome was the meeting on 25 September of representatives of the DRC, Burundi, Uganda and Rwanda in the presence of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Annan. The four countries agreed to refrain from interfering in each other's affairs and to prevent arms shipments to warring groups in the eastern area of the DRC.
The problems in the Ituri region and the north and south Kivus are a continuing source of concern, however. Recent incidents demonstrate the need for the newly formed transitional government to establish its presence throughout the country and, in particular, in the eastern and north-eastern regions. I welcome the decision by the transitional government to send 3,000 police officers to the Ituri region. I also welcome the release of European Development Funds totalling €205 million to support the transitional government in institution building, constitutional reform and the strengthening of the rule of law, as well as funding for health services and debt relief.
Ireland and its EU partners will continue to encourage the transitional government in Kinshasa to consolidate its authority throughout the DRC and to hasten the process of creating an integrated national army and police force. The EU is exploring how it might best assist the envisaged integrated police force. The EU has made a substantial contribution to restoring peace and security in eastern DRC through the deployment of the EU-led emergency multinational force, Operation Artemis, to the town of Bunia in Ituri last June. Operation Artemis, the first EU operation to undertake implementation of Petersburg Tasks outside Europe, was deployed at the request of the UN Secretary General and on foot of Security Council Resolution 1484.
In September, the operation handed over control of Bunia to a strengthened UN mission in the DRC, MONUC, having fulfilled its mandate of restoring stability to the town. Ireland contributed five Army officers to Operation Artemis and a proportionate share of the costs. Ireland is providing two Army officers who serve as military observers with MONUC. The level of our participation in this mission will continue to be kept under review and, as with all peacekeeping missions, will be determined in light of a range of political and technical factors.
Ireland intends to sustain the positive engagement of the EU in the DRC and the Great Lakes region during its Presidency. An important event in this regard will be the proposed Great Lakes conference which is scheduled to take place in the summer of 2004. The conference will focus on peace, security, democracy and development in the Great Lakes region and will be held under the auspices of the African Union and the UN. As further evidence of Ireland's commitment to the DRC, we will ensure that the office of the EU special representative to the Great Lakes region is utilised to the full in promoting EU policy in the region. My Department continues to avail of bilateral meetings with regional and pan-African parties to stress Ireland's support for the peace process in the DRC and to encourage others to support the transitional institutions in that country. Such an opportunity was provided by the recent visit of President Museveni of Uganda to Ireland. Mr. Museveni offered assurances of Uganda's full support for the peace process in the DRC and its commitment to disengage completely from that country.
Ireland will continue to voice strong support for initiatives aimed at ending the culture of impunity in the region and bringing to account those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and acts of genocide. We will urge the transitional government in Kinshasa and other concerned Governments in the region to take steps, where appropriate, to implement the recommendations concerning them in the recently published report of the panel of experts on the illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth in the DRC, which was presented to the Security Council in October.
The Government will continue its constructive engagement in providing substantial humanitarian assistance in response to the enormous suffering caused by conflict and natural disasters in the DRC. Development Co-operation Ireland has delivered almost €5 million in emergency humanitarian aid for the people of the DRC since 2000. A further €1.1 million has been made available under its multi-annual programme scheme.
