As the Deputy is aware, I have previously expressed to the House the Government's concern that the detainees in Guantanamo Bay be treated in accordance with the provisions of international human rights and humanitarian law. The United States authorities are well aware of the Government's position which has been conveyed to them on a number of occasions. These concerns were conveyed to the US embassy in Dublin by my Department and raised by the Taoiseach when he met President Bush on 17 March in the White House. In all contacts with the US authorities on the issue we have been assured that they are keenly aware of their obligations under international humanitarian law. Dr. Jakob Kellenberger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, during a visit to Ireland in January, stressed his organisation's position that under the Geneva Convention, the Guantanamo detainees should be given the status of prisoners of war unless a competent tribunal decides otherwise. As the Deputy knows, this has not been the situation with these detainees. This continues to be the consistent view of the Government also.
The USA is well aware of international concern about this issue. The matter is also before the US Supreme Court where a judgment is expected before the current court session concludes. Together with our EU partners, the Government recognises the danger posed by terrorist networks such as al-Qaeda and is committed to working with the USA and all our other international partners in the fight against international terrorism. However, the Government and our EU partners are concerned that any action taken in the fight against terrorism should be fully in accordance with the provisions of international human rights and humanitarian law. The Deputy will also be aware of the Taoiseach's statement on the abuses of Iraqi prisoners being detained at the Abu Ghraib prison made on 14 May.
The agenda for the forthcoming EU-US summit at Dromoland Castle covers a very broad array of international matters. While the precise issues which will be raised within the broad agenda have still to be fully finalised, I assure the Deputy that our views on this matter are already very well known to the US authorities.
