Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2012
63Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he has taken in conjunction with the European External Action Services to bring an end to the nascent civil war and brutal repression in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9854/12]
View answerIreland has been working intensively with the European Union, the United Nations, the Arab League and other partners in the international community to compel the Syrian regime to cease its appalling and unacceptable attacks on the Syrian people through a series of robust economic, political and diplomatic measures. At EU level, the Foreign Affairs Council agreed on 1 December and 23 January additional measures which I entirely support related to the energy, financial, banking and trade sectors, as well as the listing of additional individuals and entities involved in the violence or supporting the regime. This comes on top of extensive existing EU sanctions, including a ban on oil imports from Syria.
At UN level, Ireland and all EU partners voted on 16 February in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution, which was supported by an overwhelming majority of UN member states, condemning human rights violations in Syria. I also outlined my serious concerns about the situation in Syria when I addressed the UN Security Council on 9 February. In addition, I discussed the issue with the UN Secretary General at a meeting on the same day. I regret very much that the Security Council has so far been unable to speak with a single voice on Syria in failing to pass a resolution on 4 February which otherwise commanded the full support of the Council. A strongly worded Council resolution would represent a tremendously important demonstration of the international community's concern and significantly add to the pressure on the Assad regime.
The Arab League has been providing strong leadership on the Syrian crisis and the peace plan which it outlined last November still provides the best basis for achieving a resolution. The initial meeting of the Friends of Syria Group in Tunisia on 24 February, to which Ireland and all EU partners have been invited, is also likely to prove valuable in considering next steps and endeavouring to bring together representatives of Syria's fragmented peaceful opposition. Ireland and its international partners are determined to maintain strong and united political pressure on the Syrian regime until it ends the violent repression against its own people.
I thank the Tánaiste for his reply and acknowledge the efforts outlined therein. One must be conscious of the fact that 6,000 protesters have died in this awful situation in recent times. In addition, while one must acknowledge the role of the Arab League, one also must express concern that following the withdrawal of its observer force at the end of January, the Arab League may no longer have the capacity to address the problem successfully. I commend the Tánaiste for his engagement with the Chinese delegation over the weekend which was a great success. Did he avail of the opportunity presented to discuss the Chinese veto of the United Nations resolution when he met the Vice President? Does he have plans to engage with his opposite number in the Russian Administration to try to impress on that country the need to adopt a more pragmatic approach to the problem? While I acknowledge the Chinese appear to have moved somewhat by virtue of their willingness to engage with the Arab League to a far greater extent, what can he do in respect of the aforementioned two countries?
I thank the Deputy for commending me on the actions the Government has taken on the situation in Syria and the successful visit of the Vice President of China over the weekend. The Foreign Minister of China also was part of the delegation and I had the opportunity to talk to him separately. We discussed the situation in Syria and shared our respective views on the seriousness of the issue. What is happening there on a daily basis is absolutely unacceptable and intolerable. As the Deputy noted, more than 6,000 people have been killed. The approach at this stage is one of supporting the Arab League. As the Deputy stated, the latter has withdrawn its monitors. However, it has a key role to play. The Arab League has put forward a formula which would lead to a change of regime in Syria and to a more general change in that country. The meeting being arranged by the Friends of Syria, which is due to be held on Friday next, will present a further opportunity for the international community to engage with the Arab League in considering what might be the next steps with regard to making progress. It is regrettable that the Security Council was not in a position to adopt a resolution in respect of this matter. I previously discussed the situation in Syria with the Russian Foreign Minister. Following the meeting on Friday, it is possible that I may do so again.
Did the Tánaiste avail of the opportunity to discuss broader human rights issues with the Chinese delegation during its visit to Ireland at the weekend? In light of the sectarian nature of the problems that are developing between Sunni Muslims and Alawite Muslims in Syria, does he envisage that this country might, on a unilateral basis, offer the services of the conflict resolution unit of his Department in order that it might assist in dealing with the problems to which I refer?
Deputy Ó Fearghaíl has attempted to broaden this debate by inquiring about my discussions with the Chinese delegation. I engaged in a discussion on broader human rights issues with the delegation at the weekend and I would be happy to answer questions on the matter if they are tabled.
On Syria, the approach being taken at this stage is multilateral in nature. I do not believe that, at this point, the situation in Syria lends itself to individual countries taking unilateral action. This is a matter in respect of which the international community must work together. We will certainly work with our European Union colleagues in the context of taking a common approach. We will also work on this matter at the United Nations and we will endeavour to support the Arab League in its efforts. If the conflict resolution unit of my Department can be of assistance at some point, and if such assistance is requested, consideration can certainly be given to that matter. In view of the nature of what is happening in Syria, however, I do not believe that the conflict resolution unit could play an immediate role. This matter is at a different stage entirely.
