Vol. 323 No. 3
asked the Taoiseach the purpose of his official visit to Athens; whom he proposes to meet during his visit to the capital of Greece; if an agenda has been agreed; if he is in a position to indicate what items will be discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
2.
asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the reasons for his visit to the State of Iraq; when he received the official invitation; when that official invitation was modified; whom he proposes to meet in Iraq; the items which will be discussed with Iraqi Government representatives; if an agenda has been agreed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
: With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
Due to developments here and abroad I had regretfully to defer these visits which were due to take place between 5 and 9 October. The purpose of my visit to Iraq was to explore further opportunities for the development of economic relations. I had arranged during my visit to Greece to meet President Karamanlis, Prime Minister Rallis and other members of the Greek Government for discussions on matters of mutual interest, with particular reference to Greece's impending accession to the European Communities on 1 January next.
I have expressed the hope that these meetings can be arranged for a later date.
: In relation to Question No. 1, I would be obliged if the Taoiseach would be a little more specific in relation to the agenda for that meeting. I should like to know if an agenda had been agreed for that meeting. Is the Taoiseach in a position to indicate the items for discussion other than Greek accession?
: A specific agenda was not agreed. The purpose of the visit was, generally, for an exchange of views on our mutual position in the EEC, In fact, since that visit was cancelled the Greek Minister for Agriculture was here. I had discussions with him as had our Minister for Agriculture.
: What was the reasoning behind the decision to make Iraq the first country to which the Taoiseach would pay an official visit? On what basis was that country singled out?
: No particular reason. In fact, Iraq was not the first country for me to visit. I visited Great Britain and France.
: I said "official visit".
: In relation to Question No. 2 is the Taoiseach in a position to indicate when he received the official invitation, when the official invitation was modified and the people he proposed to meet in Iraq?
: The original invitation to visit Iraq came from the vice-chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council on 23 January last.
: Does the Taoiseach feel that our relationship with Iraq prejudices our relationship with Iran? I should like to know if the wisdom of his visit is still extant in view of developments between Iraq and Iran? Has our position changed since the recent conflict?
: At the time when the decision in principle to visit Iran was taken there was no particular animosity existing between Iraq and Iran.
: Would the Taoiseach agree that there was no animosity known to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Brian Lenihan but it was known to everybody else who knew anything about the situation?
