Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 7 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 4

Written Answers. - Mozambique Conflict.

Mary Flaherty

Ceist:

53 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs , in light of recent statements in the media by his Department, condemning the brutality of the MNR and identifying the role of South Africa in the destabilisation of Mozambique, the steps he proposes to take at European level to (a) secure EC support for the position adopted by the Mozambican Government in its efforts to find a lasting peace (b) secure EC action to stop support for the MNR that is coming from European groups based in Britain, Portugal and the Federal Republic of Germany and (c) secure EC action to pressure for change in South Africa through the application of increasingly comprehensive sanctions.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

There is already full support at European level for the efforts being made to find a peaceful and durable solution to the conflict in Mozambique. The Twelve have welcomed the mediation efforts initiated in 1988 by the churches in Mozambique and which are continuing under the auspices of Kenya and Zimbabwe. It is our fervent wish that these may soon bear fruit, so that Mozambique can be free to devote its resources to the development of the country, in keeping with the wishes of the people, who have faced much suffering at the hands of the MNR. On a practical level, the Community has stated on a number of occasions that it is ready to help Mozambique in its reconstruction and economic development.

The Government deplore the actions of the MNR and would not wish to see them given any support. However, it must be for those countries, in which MNR support groups are established, to consider what action can or should be taken, consistent with normal democratic and legal principles, to curtail their activities.

As noted by the European Council at its meeting in Strasbourg in December, there have been a number of positive developments in South Africa since the accession to power last year of President de Klerk. However, the Council also pointed out that the measures taken so far have been insufficient when measured against the Twelve's objective of the total abolition of apartheid. The Twelve Heads of State and Government reaffirmed the intention of the Twelve to maintain their pressure on the South African authorities to bring about fundamental change in South Africa. Should the expectations raised by recent developments not be fulfilled, I believe that the Twelve will have to consider increasing the pressure they already exert on South Africa, including the imposition of additional sanctions.