asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the continued killing of Palestinians in refugee camps in Beirut, the Government has made any representations on the matter to the Lebanese Government or any of the other parties involved in the Lebanese situation; if he will particularly appeal to all parties to allow the Red Cross full access to the camps; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Violence in Lebanon.
7.
Lebanon presents a confused and uncertain picture at this time and the recent upsurge in violence throughout the country is a matter of concern. I am particularly disturbed by the violent clashes in and around the Palestinian refugee camps in Beirut and by the indiscriminate killings of Palestinians there. The internal situation is extremely complex, involving the interaction of the Christian, Moslem and Druze communities as well as confrontations between the militias associated with them. The continuing presence in Lebanon of several hundred thousand Palestinian refugees and of a number of PLO guerillas is a further complication which is illustrative of the connection between the situation in Lebanon and the wider problems of the Middle East region. The effect of external influences, notably Lebanon's neighbours Syria and Israel, on the evolution of the internal situation has also to be taken into the reckoning as has indeed the fact that the effective authority of the central government is minimal.
The major violence in Beirut now arises from the attack by Amal on the Palestinian camps around Beirut. Various appeals for a ceasefire and for access by humanitarian agencies to the camps have been made, including a resolution of the United Nations Security Council, and the Government fully endorse these. The Government's policy with regard to the evolution of the internal situation in Lebanon is to seek to promote reconciliation and national unity. It is the view of the Government that this can be most effectively achieved through the co-ordinated efforts of the member states of the Community. Together with our partners in the Ten we have worked towards that end and had been encouraged by some signs of progress, particularly under the national unity government.
I hope that the recent outbreaks of fighting between the communities can be ended and the search resumed for a just solution to the country's internal problems. Demarches on behalf of the Ten were made in Beirut, both to the Lebanese Government and to the leaders of the various factions involved, in Damascus and to the UN Secretary-General on 14 May urging action to put an end to the fighting. Ministers of the Ten meeting on 20 May appealed to all parties concerned for a resumption of the dialogue between the various Lebanese groups and the holding of a true national reconciliation conference. Demarches have been made by the Ten to follow this up.
The situation in Lebanon, and especially the plight of the Palestinians, was discussed at the informal ministerial meeting of the Ten on 8-9 June at Stresa at which Ireland was represented by the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs. At a press conference following that meeting the Presidency unreservedly condemned all acts of violence and particularly the arbitary executions of Palestinian refugees in camps in Beirut, and especially asked that humanitarian organisations be given the necessary means to assist the wounded and to bring help to those in need of it.