Written Answers. - Arms Trading.
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:
69
Ms F. Fitzgerald
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs
if his attention has been drawn to allegations that EU member states have been involved in arms trading with the rebel factions in Liberia and Sierra Leone, the action, if any, he has taken on this issue; and to make a statement on the situation.
[14905/95]
The question of the supply of arms to factions in Liberia and Sierra Leone has been of serious concern to the Government and to the international community.
Concerning Liberia, the Government strongly welcomed the UN Security Council Resolution 985 of 13 April 1995, which urged all states, and in particular neighbouring states, to comply fully with the embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Liberia imposed by Resolution 788 (1992). In Resolution 985 the Security Council established a Committee of the Security Council which would seek from all states information regarding the action taken by them concerning the effective implementation of the embargo imposed by Resolution 788; consider any information brought to its attention by states concerning violations of the embargo, and in that context to make recommendations to the Council on ways of increasing the effectiveness of the embargo; and recommend appropriate measures in response to violations of the embargo.
Security Council Resolution 1014 of 15 September 1995 reminded all states of their obligations to comply strictly with the embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Liberia, and to bring all instances of violations of the arms embargo before the committee set up under Resolution 985.
The Security Council is therefore actively seized of this question and it would be the responsibility of the Council to determine the actions to be taken in response to breanches of the embargo.
I would also stress that agreement to end the nearly six-year-old civil war in Liberia has been reached with the signing of a peace agreement between the principal parties in Abuja, Nigeria, on 19 August last. The process of demobilishing Liberia's estimated 50,000 to 60,000 combatants is a critical factor in the peace process. The United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia, UNOMIL, in consultation with the transitional government, and other organisations, has established a task force on disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of the ex-combatants into civilian life. Ireland supported the issuing by the EU of a statement which welcomed the signing of the Abuja agreement.
In regard to Sierra Leone, Ireland has raised the question of the supply of arms with our partners in the EU and we have made known the concern of the Government at the situation in that country and at the reports of widespread anarchy there in recent months. Ireland supported the EU declaration of 18 May 1995 which welcomed the decision of the Sierra Leone Government to work for the achievement of a cease-fire and a peaceful settlement of the conflict.
Attempts to bring the conflict to an end continue with the involvement of the United Nations and there are hopes that the rebel Revolutionary United Front, RUF, will soon come to talks with representatives of the Government. Presidential and parliamentary elections are due to be held next February. There are also indications that one result of the Abuja agreement has been to reduce greatly the supply of arms to the rebels in Sierra Leone.
As a general principle, Ireland strives to promote increased transparency and restraint in arms exports within the United Nations as well as within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union.
