Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Mar 1991

Vol. 406 No. 3

Written Answers. - Aid for Mozambique.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

121 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the constitutional changes that have taken place in Mozambique, including articles concerning the private ownership of land and property as well as the provisions for competing political parties in the democratic framework following representations made to the Mozambique Government by the International Monetary Fund; and if, having regard to the fact that these changes have been made by the Mozambique Government against a background of continued violence by the South African supported RENAMO campaign of military violence, he will outline the steps Ireland is taking bi-laterally to assist Mozambique and the steps Ireland is taking in conjunction with other countries with a view to helping and assisting Mozambique; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

I have been following political development in Mozambique attentively over the past year. I believe it right to commend President Chissano on the manner in which he has steered the process of political reform in his country and on his achievements in the establishment of full participatory democracy in Mozambique. He is also to be commended on the positive stance by the Mozambican Government in the search for a resolution through peaceful means of the conflict in the country.

I welcome the adoption on 30 November 1990 by the People's Assembly, following extensive popular consultation and debate in the Assembly, of a new Constitution for the Republic of Mozambique, establishing a democratic State. The Constitution guarantees, among other things, such fundamental rights as universal sufferage, freedom of association, including the right to form and join political parties, freedom of religion, and equality before the law under an independent judiciary. While the terms of the new Constitution place the ownership of land in the State, provision is made for individuals or collective entities to be granted the right to use land. The terms for the creation of land rights are to be established by law.

Under the new Constitution, legislation providing for the creation of political parties was enacted in December and direct elections to the Presidency and the Assembly are scheduled for 1991. These various steps meet the major demands of RENAMO and it is now up to them to demonstrate their commitment to peace and to engage fully in negotiations on the future of Mozambique.

As I have stated in response to previous questions on South African support for RENAMO, the Government of South Africa have stated that they no longer provide assistance to RENAMO and we welcome this. There remains a concern, however, that elements in and outside South Africa, who are not interested in promoting the democratic process in either Mozambique or South Africa, are continuing to support RENAMO. I would call on these elements to cease all such support and would call on RENAMO to pursue their aims by peaceful, political means.

The member states of the Community have stated on a number of occasions their readiness to assist in the reconstruction and development of Mozambique. Mozambique already benefits from Community development assistance through its membership of the Lomé Convention and is expected to benefit from increased financial aid under the Fourth Lomé Convention. Because of the continuing conflict in the country, however, Mozambique has not been able to experience the full benefits of this assistance. It is my strong desire that Mozambique may soon be able to enjoy, free from all outside interference, the benefits of such assistance, of which it stands in great need.

Aware of the needs of the populations of Mozambique, the Government have within the past year allocated £50,000 from the Disaster Relief Fund to UN agencies operating emergency relief programmes in favour of displaced persons and refugees. Applications for further assistance will be considered.

Under the Bilateral Aid Programme fellowship scheme, Ireland is also currently financing the course of study in Ireland of one Mozambique fellow. Fellowships are granted on the basis of applications received.

Under the NGO Co-Financing Scheme, a grant of £36,143 was paid in 1989 to Concern towards an aid project in Nampula city. No applications for co-financing of projects in Mozambique under the scheme were received in 1990. Two applications have been received to date in 1991 and these are currently under consideration.