Vol. 471 No. 4
45 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the peace initiatives which have been taken by the EU or by the Government to bring about peace in Sudan; the aid measures, if any, which have been put in place in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20769/96]
The Government and our EU partners remain very concerned about the situation in Sudan. The ongoing civil war, continuing human rights abuses and severe food shortages have caused great suffering to the Sudanese people, especially those in the south of the country.
The concerns of the Government about the situation in Sudan have been made known to the Sudanese Government by the Irish Ambassador in Cairo who is also accredited to Khartoum. Both bilaterally and with our European partners, we have supported the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, which consists of Sudan and seven neighbouring countries, in its special initiative which is seeking to bring peace to Sudan. We will continue to support efforts aimed at resolving the conflict in that country.
As part of the ongoing process of critical dialogue between the European Union and Sudan, discussions have taken place with the Sudanese authorities on various issues, including the need to pursue the peace process democratisation, and to ensure protection of human rights and the unhindered distribution of humanitarian assistance. This dialogue represents an important channel through which the European Union and its member states can communicate their concerns to the Government of Sudan and urge the Sudanese authorities to take concrete steps with a view to promoting a peaceful solution to the ongoing civil war and pressing human rights issues.
The Government continues to provide assistance to those who have suffered from the conflict in Sudan. Since 1994, it has provided nearly £1.25 million in emergency and humanitarian assistance in Sudan. This includes a recent allocation of £100,000 to UNICEF/ Operation Lifeline Sudan for the provision of basic healthcare to displaced people in southern Sudan and £125,000 which was provided to GOAL earlier this year, as part of an ongoing project with displaced people around Khartoum. For its part the European Union has, since 1994, provided a total of 32.5 million ECU in emergency humanitarian aid for Sudan, of which 13.1 million ECU has been disbursed this year.
With our European partners, the Government will continue to follow the situation in Sudan closely and with concern, and to avail of every appropriate opportunity to exert positive influence on the Sudanese authorities, including in the United Nations and other international fora.
