Written Answers. - Role of CSCE.
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:
32
Mr. Rabbitte
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs
the progress, if any, that has been made with regard to the implementation of the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government, 1993-1997 that Ireland would work for the development of the CSCE as a pan-European Security Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Government is continuing to support strongly, in line with its commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government, the process of developing and strengthening the CSCE in response to the new security situation that has emerged in Europe following the end of the Cold War.
The decisions of the Helsinki Summit in July, 1992, pointed the way for the enhanced role that the CSCE can play in the new European Security architecture. They led to the establishment, in Vienna, of a new Forum for Security Co-operation to undertake new negotiations on arms control, disarmament and confidenceand security-building, as well as a new capability in the area of conflict prevention. Last year, a Secretary General of the organisation was appointed, and new structures have been put in place in Vienna to help ensure that the CSCE can respond to serious threats to peace and security in the CSCE area. In response to these changes, Ireland's delegation to the CSCE in Vienna has been strengthened by the establishment recently of a new separate post of Head of Delegation. With these additional resources, the Irish delegation will be able to maintain its involvement in the expanding workload of the CSCE.
At another level, the Government has been providing practical support for the ongoing conflict prevention and observer missions of the CSCE. In former Yugoslavia, the EC Monitor Mission, in which there are currently six Irish personnel serving, is working under a CSCE mandate, with participants from several non-EC CSCE member states. We have indicated our readiness to provide personnel to the CSCE long term missions in Kosovo, Sandjak and Vojvojdina if these are reactivated, and next week, two customs officials will begin a tour of duty with the Sanction Assistance Mission in Macedonia. In addition, an Irish officer will soon take up duty with the CSCE Mission to Georgia. The question of Irish participation in other CSCE missions is under active consideration.
We have also been participating in a wide range of CSCE meetings and seminars relating to security in Europe. In addition, I would like to express my appreciation to the Members of this House who attended, in the summer of last year, the CSCE parliamentary assembly in Helsinki.
