asked the Taoiseach the plans, if any, he has to visit the US; and if he will take an initiative to speak with President Bush on the US involvement in Central American politics.
20.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Policy on Central America.
19.
asked the Taoiseach if he will use his term of office as President of the EC to bring about a positive Community foreign policy in relation to Central America.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 20 together.
Details of any official visit I might make to the United States will, in accordance with the normal practice, be announced close to the time of such a visit. The Foreign Ministers of the Twelve met recently in Brussels and expressed the Community's deep concern at the deterioration of the situation in Central America, condemning in particular the fresh upsurge of violence in El Salvador which has brought in its wake the massacre of a great number of civilians.
In line with the position which they have consistently maintained, the Ministers considered that the initiative to relaunch the peace process should come from the countries in the region themselves with the support of the international community. They made an urgent appeal to the parties involved in conflicts in the area to return to the path of a negotiated solution which would, in the first place, allow an end to hostilities.
Since 1984 Foreign Ministers of the EC have met annually with their Central American counterparts to discuss the situation in the region. The next such meeting will take place in Dublin during the Irish Presidency. We and our partners in the Twleve consider that the conflict in Central America can best be resolved in the context of the peace process known as the Esquipulas process which was signed in Guatemala in August 1987.
Would the Taoiseach agree that United States policy on Central America is badly misguided to say the least? Would he tell us if he has taken any steps personally to inform the United States Government that we feel disgusted at the manner in which United States-funded army death squads have indulged in an orgy of violence and death against people who are the potential leaders of society in El Salvador? Surely, as a country which claims great authority in the area of foreign policy, we should at least make some effort to give our views on this matter?
I think the views of the Irish people on these issues are very widely known and have been expressed from time to time in different ways and by different means. I think we can be most effective in this type of situation by acting through and in agreement with the Twelve. The Twelve have much more power and influence when they act together on issues of this kind.
Unfortunately, the Taoiseach's original response reflects the policy of the United States, and that we do not have a major role. May I ask the Taoiseach if, during his term as President of the European Community, he will put forward any Irish relics to the Twelve in relation to Central America or are we just going without a thought in our heads? Have we any policy in relation to technical and other developments in Central America that would uplift the people there?
The Deputy has no justification for making a suggestion of that kind. He knows full well that we are very active in the formulation of Community policy in these areas. We have a particularly close knowledge of the position in these Central American countries and, therefore, our contribution to the formulation of Community policy and Community actions is very valuable, and is recognised as such by our partners. As I said in my reply, there will be a meeting of the Foreign Ministers on Central American issues during the Presidency, and there again we will have an opportunity of playing our part. As I have said to the Deputy, I think we can be most effective through the Community and through the Twelve. We can also, of course, take action through the United Nations, which we do. We are far from being silent in these international fora on these issues.
Would the Taoiseach outline the provisions of the Esquipulas plan in so far as they affect the relative rights of the Government and the insurgents in Nicaragua and El Salvador?
As I have said in my reply, the position has been consistently maintained. The problems in these areas are matters for the countries themselves. That is the basis of the Esquipulas plan.
Does the Taoiseach recognise that there is a situation of insurgency or a war of national liberation — call it what you will — in both of these countries and that it is a question of determining the relative rights of the sitting Government and the insurgents in each case? Would he outline his view of the implications of the Esquipulas plan in so far as providing a legal structure for the resolution of these clear differences regarding sovereignty as between the forces there?
I can only repeat that the wisest thing for us to do is to continue to exercise whatever influence we have through the Community and in the United Nations.
Perhaps the Taoiseach might read the Esquipulas plan.
Order.
As I have said, every Deputy in the House knows it is a very complex, complicated and indeed agonising situation. I think the wisest course for us is to proceed along the lines of the general principle, that the best results can be obtained through action by the countries themselves, supported by the international community.
Deputies Ruairí Quinn and Pat Rabbitte are offering. I want to facilitate both Deputies. Perhaps they will be brief.
Notwithstanding what the Taoiseach has said in relation to the strength of the 12 member states acting together, would he not agree that because of the long ties, historical and familial, and indeed friendship between this country and the United States, we have a unique opportunity and perhaps responsibility to tell our friends that we and many other European countries think they are misguided in relation to Central America?
I can assure the Deputy that no opportunity is missed to convey our views to both the American administration and Congress on these issues.
Does the Taoiseach accept that there is widespread public concern in this country regarding the attitude portrayed by the ignorant, extraordinary and indeed insulting remarks by a public individual who was formerly head of the foreign service in this country and that it is——
I would ask the Deputy not to refer to a person outside this House who is identifiable.
Can I put it this way? There is a belief that this portrays the real thinking in Iveagh House towards American foreign policy on Central America. Is the Taoiseach happy about that?
It is an area which I would be very reluctant to enter into. I believe in the right of freedom of expression. I am not so sure that the Deputy's party is fully committed to that principle in their political philosophy but——
The Taoiseach need have no concern about that.
Within Fianna Fáil as well as outside it?
Things are changing in Fianna Fáil, too.
——it is completely unfair for the Deputy to make the sort of accusation he has made against the Department of Foreign Affairs and the excellent officials there who help and advise the Government on these issues. I want to assure the Deputy that the policy in these sensitive, difficult and complex areas is decided by the Government and, in coming to our decisions, we have access to a very considerable reservoir of experience and maturity in the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Did not the recent debate in this House——
Deputy Seán Barrett.
——on Cambodia bear out that that is the policy of the Government and Iveagh House?
Sorry, I have called Deputy Seán Barrett.
Would the Taoiseach agree that there is a peculiar silence——
I will deal with the Deputy in a moment. I am just wondering if the Deputy and his party are looking at events in eastern Europe and seeing how the particular philosophy which they espouse is being rejected en masse by the countries of eastern Europe.
That has very little to do with Cambodia.
Would the Taoiseach agree that there has been a peculiar silence in some parts of this House when allegations were made in relation to activities on the part of Cuba and indeed other eastern countries who were supporting rebel groups in various parts of the world?
I do not get the drift of the Deputy's question.
He does not know that Cuba is in Central America.
The time has come to deal with priority questions.
Could I ask——
The Chair has to dispose of five priority questions within a quarter of an hour as laid down by Standing Orders and that time has come.
Would the Taoiseach not allow us to put down——
Sorry, Deputy FitzGerald, unfortunately time is against us. Priority Questions, please.