asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs why the Irish representative at the United Nations voted with the western alliance on the recent resolution on Namibia; if this indicates a significant change in Ireland's support for a democratic resolution of the illegal occupation of South West Africa by the Republic of South Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - UN Resolution on Namibia.
303.
(1) During its debate on Namibia last month, under Ireland's Presidency, the Security Council considered five separate proposals. One of these related to a procedural issue; the other four concerned draft resolutions relating to mandatory sanctions against South Africa.
(2) The procedural vote was on a proposal under rule 39 of the Provisional Rules of Procedure of the Security Council that the Council should invite Mr. Peter Kalangula to supply the Council with information or to give other assistance in its examination of the situation in Namibia. This proposal was defeated by a majority vote of the Council (9-6).
Ireland voted in favour of the proposal in the belief that the Council should not be restrictive in its application of Rule 39. In casting its vote Ireland made clear its view that the Council in hearing an individual under Rule 39 made no judgment as to the representative nature of any body to which the individual belonged and that our vote did not imply that we regard the so-called Democratic Turnhalle Alliance, of which Mr. Kalangula is President, as representative of Namibia.
(3) The other votes related to four draft resolutions:
(a) a general resolution relating to the implementation of comprehensive sanctions against South Africa;
(b) a resolution imposing comprehensive economic sanctions as well as sanctions of a political nature;
(c) an oil embargo, and
(d) a strengthening of the existing arms embargo.
(4) The four draft resolutions were vetoed by the votes of the United States, the United Kingdom and France. Ireland voted in favour of the oil embargo and the strengthening of the arms embargo; we abstained on the two draft resolutions relating to comprehensive sanctions.
(5) The Government believe that the possibilities of achieving a negotiated settlement of the Namibia question on the basis of Security Council Resolutions 385 and 435 have not been exhausted. During the Security Council debate Ireland, in its Presidency, sought to avoid a division in the Council and made a sustained effort to reach agreement which would send a clear signal to South Africa of the continuing unity of purpose of the Council and the common determination to see Namibia independent.
Since it did not prove possible to reach a general agreement the Council voted on the draft resolutions. In casting its vote Ireland considered that it was appropriate for the Council to indicate to South Africa the seriousness with which it would view further delay but retain for later decision other measures, including comprehensive sanctions, if South Africa should remain wholly intransigent and unwilling to fulfil its clear obligations under international law.
6. During the debate in the Security Council Ireland's representative explained in a comprehensive statement the Government's position on the present very serious situation with regard to Namibia. I am arranging to have copies of this statement together with the draft resolutions and our delegation's explanations of vote placed in the Dáil Library.