Seymour Crawford
Question:24 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the security situation in Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30016/04]
View answerWednesday, 24 November 2004
Questions (37, 38)
Olivia Mitchell
Question:67 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the situation in Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30055/04]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 67 together.
The security situation in Iraq continues to be a matter of serious concern both to Ireland and to the international community at large. There seems to be no reduction in violent incidents, and I am very concerned that the situation may continue to worsen in the run-up to the elections scheduled for 30 January. It is the Iraqi people themselves who are suffering most from the continued instability, both directly and through the frustration of reconstruction work.
Hostage taking continues to terrorise both Iraqis and foreigners. In this country we have been shocked by the reported dreadful murder of Margaret Hassan, following that of Ken Bigley.
The interim Iraqi government is pursuing a three track strategy to try to end the violence. First, to encourage disaffected groups in the community to enter the political process. Second, to push forward reconstruction efforts to relieve the hardships affecting the Iraqi population, especially the poorer elements. Third, to advance as quickly as possible the recruitment and training of Iraqi security forces, not just to contribute to security efforts but also to advance the transfer of responsibility for security from the multi-national force to Iraq's own forces.
The challenge facing the Iraqi government in these areas is very great, but I believe this is the correct approach to meet it. It is clear the elections will mark a crucial stage in giving the Iraqi government the authority it needs to restore stability throughout the country.
Ireland and the European Union will continue to give every support we can to the Iraqi government in these efforts, especially in the areas of reconstruction and preparation for the elections. We will also continue to support the involvement of the United Nations in these efforts, which I believe to be crucial to their success.
As well as these actions, the Iraqi government also recently decided that a military operation was the only way to regain control of the city of Fallujah, a step it regarded as vital if the elections were to be able to proceed. That operation, carried out by US and Iraqi forces, seems now to be at an end. I have commented elsewhere on the implications of that operation for the civilian population and on their resulting humanitarian needs. It is essential that the use of force in such operations be kept to a minimum, and they be brought to an end as soon as possible.