Vol. 430 No. 4
18 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether elections will proceed in Cambodia having regard to the resurgence of the Khmer Rouge guerillas and the killings they are perpetrating on the people of Cambodia and UN personnel.
22 Ms. F. Fitzgerald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether elections will proceed in Cambodia having regard to the resurgence of the Khmer Rouge guerillas and the killings they are perpetrating on the people of Cambodia and UN personnel.
29 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether elections will proceed in Cambodia having regard to the resurgence of the Khmer Rouge guerillas and the killings they are perpetrating on the people of Cambodia and UN personnel.
41 Mr. McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether elections will proceed in Cambodia having regard to the resurgence of the Khmer Rouge guerillas and the Killings they are perpetrating on the people of Cambodia and UN personnel.
50 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the up-to-date position regarding the safety of Irish peacekeepers in Cambodia in view of the recent killings by the Khmer Rouge guerillas of three UN personnel from Bulgaria; and if he will make a statement on the current position regarding the electoral process.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 22, 29, 41 and 50 together.
Ireland is providing 40 members of the Garda Síochána, 12 members of the Irish Army and a number of civilians to the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia. The security of Irish personnel with the UN in Cambodia is kept under continuous review. We have had no reports to date that the lives of any Irish personnel have been threatened.
I take this opportunity to express the condolences of the Irish Government and people at the recent killing of Bulgarian and Chinese members of UNTAC who gave their lives in the cause of international peace.
The Secretary General of the United Nations has recently reaffirmed that the elections provided for under the UN peace plan will be held in Cambodia as scheduled from 23 to 28 May. In spite of attempts by different groups, including the Khmer Rouge, to disrupt the elections, the Secretary General and the entire international community are determined that the people of Cambodia should exercise their democratic right to decide their own political future.
The full resources of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia, UNTAC, are being deployed to ensure that the elections take place under peaceful conditions and to provide the maximum possible security for all those involved in this democratic exericse.
Is the Minister aware from today's papers that there are reports that the Khmer Rouge have bombed Chinese engineers in this area? Is the Minister further aware of a recent television programme made by the Australian journalist, Mr. John Pilger, which indicates clearly that the Khmer Rouge, irrespecive of UNTAC attempts to bring democracy to this country, will attempt by every means at their disposal to return to the rule which operated under Pol Pot a number of years ago?
I am aware of the reports which have strengthened our resolve to ensure that the people in Cambodia get an opportunity to decide on their own future on 23 and 28 May. We all condemn the horrific atrocities. We are in regular contact with our Community partners — a number of whom are also sending polling station officers to Cambodia — and with the UN in New York to ensure that the full resources of UNTAC are deployed to guarantee the safety of our polling station officers. We are very concerned about the developing situation and about security. The actions of the Khmer Rouge only strengthens the resolve of the international community to ensure that the elections proceed and that the Khmer Rouge are not allowed to disrupt the elections.
Will the Minister agree that when the Khmer Rouge were involved in negotiations about these elections, many members warned that this leopard did not appear to be making any attempt to change his spots? Unfortunately, we have reached the stage where we can almost say: "we told you so", be that as it may, the elections are going ahead. In view of post election results in Angola, which were declared free and fair by UN observers, is the Minister aware of any efforts being made to ensure that they will be implemented and that the Khmer Rouge, when all the UNTAC organisations disappear, will not be able to return to its policy of genocide?
The House will be aware that some important business is coming up, for which we do not have much time, perhaps we would endeavour to bring questions to a conclusion.
I recall that both of us were deeply involved in the debate on Cambodia. The fact that the Khmer Rouge are in breach of their obligation as a signatory of the Paris Agreement is deplored. Nevertheless, I agree it is important that there would be a strong and firm follow-on from the elections. One aspect of the UN peace plan is a repatriation of refugees and displaced persons from Thailand. Over 300,000 of the estimated 360,000 refugees have been repatriated under UN auspices without any major incident. It is important to have a steady programme of back-up activity from the international community after the elections. The situation is volatile and reports from the area, as Deputy Kenny said, are worrying. Nevertheless, Ireland has had an interest in this country for some time and I will continue to keep Deputies informed of developments and the Government's plans as the situation develops.
Is the Minister satisfied that the members of the Garda Síochána on duty there at present are safe? Is it envisaged that there will be a continuation of support and assistance from the Garda Síochána in the post election period, when the United Nations have overseen the election process?
I referred earlier to the fact that a Bulgarian, a Japanese and a Chinese member of UNTAC had been killed. These people have given their lives in the cause of international peace. In that environment it is obvious that I am concerned about the welfare of the Garda Síochána, the Irish Army and a number of civilians from Ireland who are involved in the United Nations Transitional Authority. We are in constant touch with the situation, in co-operation with our partners in Europe, and I assure the Deputy I will keep him informed of developments. It is my intention to continue our involvement in Cambodia after the elections. Irish personnel in Namibia have demonstrated their capacity to reach across the divide and have also demonstrated that they are acceptable in very difficult situations in trying to deal with groups of people of conflicting views. My wish is that the Garda Síochána will continue to participate in Cambodia post elections.
That concludes questions for today.
