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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 24 Oct 1990

Vol. 402 No. 1

Written Answers. - Discussions with South Africa.

Mary Flaherty

Ceist:

77 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give an assurance that, in future discussions regarding South Africa at EC or bilateral level, the requirement of South Africa to end its support for the MNR bandits in Mozambique be seen as one of the pillars of apartheid which must be removed and that the Hannan Commission remit, investigating covert units in South Africa, be extended to cover Mozambique.

The Government have consistently condemned South Africa's efforts to destabilise neighbouring independent African states, and in particular, Mozambique through its support for the MNR. The South African Government have stated that their support for the MNR has ceased and we welcome this development. Our hope is that the improved climate of relations between Mozambique and South Africa under President De Klerk will result in the effective cessation of these aggressive activities.

We remain concerned, however, at reports that the MNR may still be receiving material support from non-official sources in South Africa and elsewhere. We believe it is in South Africa's own interests that immediate steps be taken to terminate any such aid or assistance to the MNR.

The Government want to see the abolition of the apartheid system and its replacement by a united, democratic and non-racial South Africa, founded on respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. The term "pillars of apartheid", however, is used specifically to refer to the laws underpinning the apartheid system and the destabilisation of neighbouring states has never been considered as belonging in this category.

The Twelve fully support the peace negotiations now under way between the parties in Mozambique. In their statement of 13 September, they welcomed the progress achieved in these negotiations and expressed the hope that they will lead to an early cease-fire and to the establishment of conditions of peace and security in Mozambique. The Twelve believe these conditions are indispensable for the relief of the exhausted people of that country and to enable them to start along the path to reconstruction and development to which the Community and its member states are ready to contribute. A copy of this statement has been placed in the Dáil Library.
The Government have no information on the Commission mentioned in the Deputy's question.
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