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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 2003

Vol. 577 No. 3

Written Answers. - Kidnapping Incident.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

230 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to reports concerning the kidnapping of an Irish citizen and others in Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30848/03]

Since receiving news of the incident, our embassy in Tehran has been in daily contact with the Iranian authorities. Embassy officials, working closely with those of the embassy of Germany, have met representatives of both the interior and foreign ministries, and it is clear that both ministries are aware of the seriousness of the situation and are fully committed to seeing it resolved as quickly as possible.

The embassy in Tehran has also remained in daily contact with local authorities in Baluchistan-Sistan province which are co-ordinating the search for the missing persons and have already established a task force for this purpose.

I have written to Dr. Kamal Kharrazi, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iran, to express my concern about the situation, which I know he shares, and my confidence that the Iranian authorities will spare no effort to secure the release of the captives. I also thanked him for the prompt action of his government, in particular for facilitating the direct contact between our embassy and the Iranian authorities working to resolve the situation.

In addition, my Department has been in contact with the German foreign ministry in the interests of sharing information and ensuring a co-ordinated approach towards a speedy resolution of the matter. Finally, my officials have been in close touch with the family of the Irish citizen held captive and have kept them informed of all developments in the case. I hope that this matter can be resolved as quickly as possible.

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