All Members share my deep concern at the humanitarian crisis now unfolding in Eastern Zaire. The present violence has erupted because hundreds of thousands of Tutsis living in Zaire for many years have felt themselves under threat of violence or expulsion. This in turn has created a growing spiral of violence and instability that now threatens to exacerbate conflict throughout the region.
Our latest information, based on reports of agencies operating in the region and from Geneva, is that as a result of fighting between Zairean troops in Southern Kivu and local people of Tutsi origin, as well as attacks on refugee camps, 220,000 refugees who previously lived in the camps around Uvira and tens of thousands of Zairean local people are displaced and heading for Uvira town. It is understood this movement is taking place mainly because the refugees fear war between Rwanda and Zaire.
Fifty-four workers from UNHCR and other agencies were held hostage by Zairean troops for some time and released late yesterday. They have now been evacuated temporarily from the area. Irish aid agencies in the area are also preparing to evacuate the majority of their workers until the situation becomes less volatile.
The UNHCR has continuing arrangements in place for dealing with an expected influx of refugees in the Bukavu area and the world food programme has supplies for the next 14-16 days. If fighting continues they intend to airlift supplies. Four new campsites have been identified which could accommodate up to 80,000 people. Concern have informed us they also have a sufficient stock of non-food materials in the area to meet needs for the moment. We are staying in close contact with the humanitarian agencies and will do all in our power to assist where possible.
As Deputy Kitt is aware, the EU has appointed a Special Envoy, Mr. Ajello. The Presidency and partners were fully briefed on developments in the area by him in Brussels this morning. He had returned both from a visit to Zaire, where he met Mr. Kengo Wa Donda, the Prime Minister and from Kigali where he met the Rwandan President and Government. In the light of this briefing and to take full advantage of the opportunity offered by the positive disposition of Zaire and Rwanda, the Irish Presidency and our EU partners have today mandated Mr. Ajello to return to the region as soon as possible to facilitate early dialogue between the authorities of both countries. Mr. Ajello is to be supported in his efforts by the Troika of EU Heads of Mission in Kinshasa and preparations for his departure are already under way.
The EU remains gravely concerned about the volatile situation in South Kivu and the very real threat which it poses to any prospect for long-term stability in the Great Lakes Region. As President of the EU, Ireland is deeply committed to the search for a solution to the crisis in South Kivu and will continue to work closely with partners and the EU Special Envoy in supporting the efforts of the international community to prevent it leading to a further humanitarian catastrophe in the Great Lakes region.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees yesterday stated that "unless all parties to this conflict step back we are heading towards a humanitarian catastrophe". I fully share this view. We are in a situation of the gravest danger and Ireland as President of the EU will do everything in its power to help avert such a situation. In my visits to the region and in my continuous contact with Governments there, I have met Government leaders, NGOs, people in refugee camps, women's groups and victims of violence. As I stated to the European Parliament some weeks ago, there is a sense on all sides of the palpable need for a cohesive regional approach to the problems facing Rwanda, Burundi and neighbouring states. In that context, we have particularly supported the efforts of the African Heads of State in the region, particularly the efforts of their mediator, the former President of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere.
An important issue in resolving the problems of the Great Lakes region continues to be the voluntary and safe return of refugees and displaced persons. The militarisation of many refugee camps is bolstered by arms trafficking and military training and remains a grave threat to the success of efforts towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. This trend poses a clear potential risk of widening the conflict, causing further displacement of people and undermining the confidence necessary for refugee return.
Since 1994, total Government assistance to the Great Lakes region has been over £9.5 million, by far the largest sum ever allocated by Ireland for humanitarian assistance in one region. The Government is examining the current situation very closely from a humanitarian perspective. Further aid to the region, and specifically to Eastern Zaire, will be considered in the light of these developments and any appeals for funding from the UNHCR and NGOs will be given sympathetic consideration. I have remained in continuous contact with the Irish NGOs in relation to this matter.
The genocide in Rwanda was an affront to the conscience of the world. The situation now developing in Eastern Zaire holds the threat of deeply destabilising the entire region and causing a humanitarian disaster of the greatest magnitude. In the face of this, the international community must assume its responsibilities. I have outlined the response of the Irish Presidency and I assure the House we will continue to work unceasingly to do everything open to us to help resolve this grave situation.
