asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on recent developments in Nicaragua and on American policy towards Central America.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - American Policy on Central America.
7.
The recent suspension of a wide range of civil liberties by the Government of Nicaragua, the circumstances leading to this action, and the continuing crisis in Central America are matters of serious concern to the Government.
As the House is aware, it is the Government's view that the problems of the Central American region can be resolved only by a political agreement coming from within the region itself, which respects the principles of noninterference and inviolability of frontiers. To that end we have, along with our partners in the European Community, supported the Contadora process since its inception as representing the best opportunity to achieve a political solution to the crisis in the region. It is our fervent hope that the current negotiations on the final text of a Contadora Act for Peace and Co-operation, which have entered a critical phase, will be successful.
For their part, the member states of the European Community, together with Spain and Portugal, are actively seeking to contribute to a solution to the crisis by underpinning the Contadora process through closer political and economic dialogue with the countries of the region. The Second Conference of Foreign Ministers from Central American and Contadora countries and their Community counterparts will take place next week on 11-12 November in Luxembourg. The first was held in San José, Costa Rica, in September of last year, when, as President-in-office, it was my privilege to act as co-chairman of the Conference. The Luxembourg meeting will mark an important stage in the institutionalisation of political dialogue between the two regions. It will also be the occasion for the signature of a Framework Co-operation Agreement between the European Community and the countries of the Central American isthmus which will provide for closer economic co-operation between both sides.
Could the Minister say whether he had discussions with any other Foreign Ministers, particularly those from Central American countries, with regard to the Nicaraguan situation when he visited the United Nations in September?
Yes, I spoke to the Nicaraguan Foreign Minister in relation to the situation.
Proinsias De Rossa
Does the Minister agree that the process which the Contadora group are trying to proceed with is being seriously hampered by the financing by the United States of the Contra group who are attacking targets in Nicaragua leading to a virtual breakdown of the democratic process in that country?
As I said in my reply and as the Ten European Community Ministers said in San José last year and again more recently, the best prospect for peace and stability in the Central American region must emanate from the region itself. They would like to help the Contadora process in bringing that about and outside interference by any country cannot help to bring about peace and stability in the region.