Ireland is following closely the situation in Mozambique in the run-up to the elections, scheduled to take place on 28-29 October next. We recognise that Mozambique, as one of the poorest countries in the world, is in need of immediate assistance during the rehabilitation period and of longer-term development aid. The Government of Mozambique have particular needs at the present time because of the requirement to finance elections and to demobilise troops. The contribution which Ireland and our partners in the European Union will make to the electoral process in Mozambique is under active consideration.
In so far as development co-operation assistance is concerned, the Irish Aid Strategy Plan published in July 1993 identified Mozambique as a country in particular need of rehabilitation and development in which the possibility of establishing a full co-operation programme in the coming years should be examined. In the meantime, a budget of £600,000 has been allocated for 1994 to enable Ireland to participate in the international rehabilitation programme in Mozambique this year.
Following a visit to Mozambique in March by an Irish aid planning mission, this money has now been committed to five projects in the following areas; rural water supply, health training, rural development, de-mining and small scale fisheries. These projects will enable us to extend immediate assistance during the rehabilitation period. We will examine at a later stage the question of longer-term development aid for Mozambique.