Nora Owen
Ceist:9 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline his views on the declaration of independence by Slovenia and Croatia; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers (Resumed). - Current Events in Yugoslavia.
Liam Kavanagh
Ceist:45 Mr. Kavanagh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is in contact with his EC counterparts regarding current events in Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 45 together.
I have been following developments in Yugoslavia with great attention. The situation there has been the subject of grave concern for the Twelve, the CSCE participants and the international community more generally.
We have noted the statements made by the Croatian and Slovenian authorities, the reactions of the federal authorities and the tragic events since then, including the mobilisation of the federal army and republican militias.
The Twelve have issued a number of declarations to give expression to their concern and their views. The first meeting of the Council of Ministers of the CSCE on 19 June also issued a declaration of this kind. In the view of the Twelve, neither unilateral acts nor threats or use of force, but only dialogue and negotiation, can bring about a peaceful and lasting solution to the crisis.
The Troika consisting of three Foreign Ministers of the Twelve visited Belgrade and Zagreb on 28 June at the request of the European Council which was meeting in Luxembourg on that day. Their objective was to study the situation, to convey the Twelve's concern and to promote a peaceful resolution. They reported having secured the agreement of all sides to three points: a ceasefire and return of armed forces to their barracks, suspension of the application of the unilateral declarations of independence for a period of three months, and restoration of the constitutional order by designation of a president and vice-president of the collegial presidency. However, as it became apparent that implementation of these three points was not proceeding as envisaged, the Troika of Foreign Ministers returned to Yugoslavia on 30 June. They emphasised to all parties the importance of complying fully with the terms of the agreement.
As well as this, the Twelve consider that the situation in Yugoslavia constitutes an emergency in the sense set out in the Charter of Paris of the CSCE. The Twelve have, therefore, invoked the emergency mechanism of the CSCE, and a meeting of the senior officials provided for by that mechanism will take place in Prague tomorrow afternoon, with a view to agreeing recommendations or conclusions to arrive at a solution.
Ireland fully subscribes to the Twelve approach which has been to seek to get a negotiating process under way between the parties in Yugoslavia which will take account of a series of closely interlinked principles: re-establishment of a constitutional order; respect for human rights as well as for all of the other principles of the CSCE; intensification of the process of democratisation of Yugoslavia as well as further economic reform; and, finally, respect for the territorial integrity of Yugoslavia on the basis of agreement by negotiation on its future structures.
What exactly was Ireland's position at the meeting of the Council of Ministers about the efforts by Slovenia and Croatia for independence? Would the Minister not agree that, in view of the similarities with our own country where, for example, in 1919 a unilateral declaration of independence was made in Dáil Éireann and where the division of the country had a lot to do with religious beliefs, our Foreign Minister should have at least indicated support for Slovenia and Croatia in pursuing their right to independence?
Deputy Owen is aware that agreement came about as a result of consensus between the Twelve on the particular issue. The Twelve constantly underline the necessity for political and economic reforms in Yugoslavia, and we see these as essential in their own right as a condition for maintaining Yugoslav unity. We have considerable understanding for the aspirations of the Slovenian and Croatia peoples and we hope that these may find expression within a united and democratic Yugoslavia.
That is what the Unionists were saying here in 1918.
We do not accept that any of the constituent republics of Yugoslavia have a right to compel adhesion to the federation by force. Only a federation based on democratic principles can be envisaged.
Let us not forget the time factor.
There is a very fundamental concern here. I asked the Minister to outline his views. I realise that the Twelve issued a statement but it is important to know where this Government stand. Do they, or do they not, support the right to independence of Slovenia and Croatia? Does the Minister agree that this should not have come as a surprise to the Council of Ministers because last December the people of Slovenia passed a referendum seeking independence by an overwhelming majority? Will the Minister say if any moves were made then to have discussions with the Yugoslav Federal Government on possible independence for those States?
Again, I feel it necessary to say to Deputy Owen that the attitude of the Twelve in regard to this issue represents the attitude of Ireland.
It should not.