Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 2

Written Answers. - East Timor Conflict.

John Perry

Ceist:

119 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans, if any, he has in place to put pressure on Indonesia and other countries to let East Timor have a free referendum to determine self rule; if a UN office will be set up in East Timor; if the Indonesian troops which are currently at their highest level for five years will be replaced by UN peacekeepers; if Xanana Gusmao and other political prisoners will be released to enhance peace; the steps, if any, being taken to stop the sale of weapons and police equipment by the world super powers to the Indonesians which they use in human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3766/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

In a statement issued on 1 February I expressed the hope that the people of East Timor would soon be in a position to realise their long-held desire for self-determination. On that occasion I added my full support to the call by the jailed resistance leader, Xanana Gusmao, for a ceasefire to be agreed by all sides in East Timor and for a phased withdrawal of Indonesian troops from the territory. I am hopeful in this regard that the current round of talks in New York between Portugal and Indonesia – under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General – which are aimed at finding a negotiated solution to the Timorese question, will prove to be successful.

In recent weeks I have had detailed discussions on the question of East Timor with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, and with the Portuguese Foreign Minister, Mr. Jaime Gama. I have exchanged views with both on the political future of East Timor. I have also been closely involved in further developing EU policy on the issue. At the European Council in Vienna on 11-12 December, the EU called for a real and substantial reduction in the Indonesian military presence in the territory, the liberation of Xanana Gusmao and of all political prisoners and the establishment in East Timor of a permanent United Nations presence.

I believe that a UN presence in East Timor would be of immense benefit in stabilising the situation on the ground. I have made it clear that Ireland stands ready to offer assistance to the United Nations should it decided to dispatch observers or monitors to East Timor to oversee a ceasefire and any subsequent military withdrawal which may be agreed. Unfortunately, the establishment of such a UN presence can only be brought about at present with the consent of the Indonesian authorities. This has not yet been forthcoming.

The Government has always been opposed to the supply from any source of arms or equipment to the Indonesian authorities which may be used against the civilian population of East Timor. No licences are issued for the export of such equipment from Ireland, and we will seek to ensure that the provisions of the EU code of conduct for arms transfers are strictly implemented by our EU partners.