Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2004
1 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the matters to be discussed with the President of the United States of America during the upcoming EU-US summit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18937/04]
View answer2 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if arrangements have been finalised for the visit of the US President George W. Bush to Ireland for the EU-US summit; if an agenda for the visit is complete; if the Government intends to raise the situation in Iraq with President Bush; if he intends to draw the attention of President Bush to the ongoing concern here at the use of facilities at Shannon Airport by the US military for operations in the Middle East, in view of the fact that opposition to war has never fallen below 65% here; if there are other specific items the Government intends to raise with President Bush; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18913/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
Arrangements for the EU-US summit in Dromoland Castle are complete and, on behalf of the European Union, the Taoiseach looks forward to hosting this important meeting. This summit is important in a number of respects, not least as the first EU-US summit of the enlarged European Union of 25 member states.
The summit's wide-ranging agenda reflects the inescapable fact that most of the key international issues require sustained and productive co-operation between the United States and the European Union. The interests of citizens on both sides of the Atlantic, and of the wider international community, are best served when the European Union and the United States co-operate and work together. Counter-terrorism, where clearly co-operation between Europe and the United States is indispensable for the safety and security of our citizens, will be discussed.
Other important issues that will be discussed include Iraq, the Middle East peace process, relations with the wider Mediterranean and Middle East regions, Afghanistan, Sudan and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The summit will also highlight the continued commitment and leadership of the European Union and the United States in the global fight against HIV-AIDS.
On Iraq, the Taoiseach will set out the European Union's position as agreed at the European Council last week where the European Union affirmed its objective of a secure, stable, unified, prosperous and democratic Iraq that will make a positive contribution to the stability of the region. It agreed that the Union as a whole should work in partnership with the Iraqi Government and people, with the aim of realising these objectives.
The European Council welcomed the recent unanimous adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1546 on Iraq and, in particular, the continuing mandate that it confers on the UN itself. It also welcomed the commitment under this resolution for all parties to act in accordance with international law, including obligations under international humanitarian law, and called on them to ensure observance of these obligations. There is a shared determination on both sides of the Atlantic to build on the consensual approach reflected in the unanimous adoption of Resolution 1546. Both sides are keen to ensure that the transition process in Iraq is crowned with success, with the UN having a central role.
The transatlantic economic relationship will also be high on the summit agenda. The EU-US trade figures speak for themselves. Every day €1 billion worth of trade is conducted between both sides, reflecting the depth and breadth of our economic links. There is widespread US investment in Europe, including Ireland. Likewise, the importance of European Union investment, including Irish investment, for US jobs is significant.
The summit will recognise the need to further strengthen and widen the transatlantic economic relationship to include the many aspects which affect our investment relationship, as well as trade in goods and services. In order to advance this objective, the summit is likely to consider how to conduct a fundamental reassessment of all aspects of our bilateral economic relationship, to identify any underlying impediments to trade and investment and accelerate their elimination, as well as identify areas for increased integration and growth.
The use of Shannon Airport is not a matter for formal discussion at the EU-US summit. Ireland's position on this issue has been endorsed democratically in this House.
Will the issue of prisoners' welfare at Guantanamo Bay be raised at the summit? Will the plight of illegal Irish citizens in the United States, which has been the concern of a number of US Congressmen, be raised? Will there be attempts to locate a transatlantic foundation to promote better dialogue between Europe, the United States and Canada?
The meeting on the future of Iraq should not take place in Brussels but in Ireland. Holding such a meeting in Brussels is a terrible reflection on Ireland. Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs provide an opportunity for the leaders of the other political parties, with the Taoiseach, to meet President Bush to convey the concerns of the Irish people regarding abuses in Iraq and prisoners' welfare at Guantanamo Bay?
I realise this is an EU-US summit but time should be found for bilateral issues to be raised, involving not just the Taoiseach but the leaders of the other parties. They have serious concerns about these issues but not all want to march on the streets. We recognise people's rights to protest and there is nothing wrong with peaceful demonstrations. However, there are concerns about the authority for the invasion of Iraq and how the situation is being handled. Will the Minister and the Taoiseach invite the other party leaders to meet President Bush so these matters can be raised directly?
Unfortunately, such an idea cannot be incorporated into the summit meeting. The bilateral issue of undocumented Irish citizens in the US who have not had their problems resolved by the green card programme is discussed on an ongoing basis at ambassadorial level. I learnt during my visit to the US Congress that there is no prospect of legislation being introduced on this side of a presidential election. This can only be taken up with sponsors in Congress in 2005. The Deputy has raised the establishment of a transatlantic foundation before. However, it is not on the agreed agenda for this summit.
There are important international issues of concern to both the EU and US. The situation in both Iraq and Afghanistan will the subject of full and frank discussions. While there will continue to be differences of view and even points of disagreement about specific issues between the US and the Union, it is important that these matters are addressed openly and frankly. The European Union has regular dialogue with the United States, as with other partners, which provides ongoing opportunities to discuss issues of concern to each party.
The Government has made known its concern of the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay and in Iraq, including directly to US authorities at the highest levels. The Dromoland summit will provide further opportunities to bring our distinguished visitor's attention to the significant concern felt in Ireland on those matters. The Taoiseach will address his responsibilities in that regard.
Full and frank exchange of views is a diplomatic phrase for friends telling other friends the truth and not holding back, for fear of offence, on facts that need to be heard. Do I take it that since the Minister has used that phrase, Ireland, as the holder of the EU Presidency, will tell the United States that the majority of European citizens were opposed to the illegal invasion of Iraq; that they were appalled by how the invasion has proceeded since the end of the formal hostilities; that they want the Americans to learn a lesson from the mistake made by the Americans with the participation of the British; that the Minister and his colleague, the Taoiseach, as the Presidency occupants of the European Union, will use the opportunity in full and frank exchange to attempt to ensure that the United States returns to the path of multilateralism; and that in the context of Iraq in particular, this will mean that the Americans will give as much power as quickly as possible to the United Nations? I read what the Minister said elsewhere but I specifically ask if the Americans will be prepared to put their troops under the control of the United Nations in one way or another as soon as possible. Otherwise, the opportunity of this full and frank exchange will be wasted.
Regarding international multilateral co-operation between the European Union and the United States, the Minister listed a number of items on the agenda. Can the Minister confirm that one of the items he did not list will be referred to, namely, a decision that the European Union will agree to integrate or share its Galileo geo-positioning system which will be launched with that of the American GPS system? If that is the case, is the Minister aware that civilian access to the GPS system, a wonderful benefit for anyone navigating anywhere, is not as accurate as the military access, and that there are potential problems regarding the integration of the two systems? Where has this debate taken place in any European nation state? As European taxpayers we will be spending a vast amount of money to establish the Galileo system which the United States opposed for quite some time before we attempted to get it off the ground. I am concerned because of reports which have not been substantiated, which is why I ask the Minister to confirm or substantiate them, that this item is on the agenda. On whose authority, with what debate and from where did this proposal come?
Regarding multilateralism and the issue of justice and home affairs, is it the Minister's intention to raise the illegal actions of the United States in its treatment of the Guantanamo Bay prisoners? Will he forcefully, in the spirit of a full and frank exchange, tell the Americans that if any other country were treating the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay in that manner, they would be brought before the International Criminal Court? Does the Minister propose to recommend that the United States recognise the International Criminal Court and will he formally ask it to do so?
There is an issue of difference between the European Union and the United States regarding the International Criminal Court. There has been no change of policy on either side in that regard. We seek to promote the International Criminal Court in all international fora. The matter was discussed at the United Nations Security Council meeting which I attended yesterday.
Regarding prisoners, it is a matter of record that the European Union has spoken repeatedly in public on these matters and has raised them in meetings with the United States. In clear language we have strongly and publicly condemned any instances of abuse and degradation of prisoners in Iraq as contrary to international law, including the Geneva Conventions. At the time of my return from the quartet meeting in New York on 4 May, I co-ordinated a European Union position among the 25 member states.
We know that, but will the Minister be forcibly saying that to the US President?
I am making the point that this will not be the first time the European Union is setting out its position on these matters. I want to put it on the record in case I might be represented. I have set out the position consistently. The EU along with our eight Arab partners has expressed its condemnation in the Euro-Mediterranean meeting of Foreign Ministers on 5 and 6 May, the EU Council of Ministers on 17 May and again following a meeting with Gulf Arab states on the same day. As President of the European Council, the Taoiseach condemned the abuse in a statement on 13 May and described it as a clear breach of the Geneva Conventions. This EU Presidency has been unambiguous regarding that matter.
Deputy Quinn asked what the EU Presidency will say at the summit meeting. As an experienced politician the Deputy knows that the Presidency will put forward the Common Position of the EU. Its Common Position on Iraq is as I have outlined in the main body of my remarks. The Deputy is aware that there were divisions within Europe and within the United States regarding that matter. I have therefore explained precisely what we will be saying regarding the Iraqi situation. As regards international humanitarian law, what we say will be consistent with the many statements our EU Presidency has made throughout its term.
Regarding Galileo, an agreement will be signed between the United States and the EU. The Deputy is correct. Galileo was brought forward by the European Union to make sure that civilians can access that global positioning system at all times. I welcome the technical arrangements that will ensure it can come into play in a way that will not disrupt the whole situation. This matter has been under discussion for many years over many European Councils.
