Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 11 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 3

Written Answers. - Kosovo Crisis.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

65 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, the Government will be taking by way of expressing in a practical way its repugnance at the atrocities by the Serbian Military Authority in Kosovo. [3945/99]

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

66 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the initiative, if any, he is taking to influence the international bodies involved in attempting to resolve the Kosovo crisis. [3946/99]

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

67 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland's experience of sectarian conflicts, both within the island and through our peace-keeping role abroad, will be made available in the Balkan's peace efforts. [3948/99]

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

68 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the role which can be adopted in conjunction with other neutral States to ensure the solution of the conflict in Kosovo does not simply reflect the interests of the most powerful States. [3949/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 66, 67 and 68, inclusive.

I remain extremely concerned at the situation in Kosovo. The increasing pattern of breaches of the ceasefire over recent weeks, compounded by the terrible atrocities which outraged the world, again underlines the importance and urgency of finding a political solution and bringing the suffering of all of the people of Kosovo to an end.

I have made known in the House and elsewhere my outrage at Serbian atrocities and, together with my EU colleagues, I continue to insist that, in compliance with Security Council resolutions, the authorities in Belgrade allow the Prosecutor of the International Tribunal to carry out investigations, and that those responsible be brought to justice.

The Deputy will be aware that international efforts to find a solution to the Kosovo problem are centred on the talks currently taking place in Rambouillet, outside Paris. The urgency of these talks is made clear against the very real threat of a resumption of large-scale violence, which otherwise could take place in a few weeks time, with the end of winter.

The process now under way has been welcomed and received the support of the United Nations Security Council, and of the EU. I should mention that the EU's Special Envoy to Kosovo, the Austrian Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch, is playing a central role in this process, with the full support of the Union.

If the current efforts to bring about peace are to succeed, then it is essential that they should enjoy the widest possible support from the international community as a whole. I would envisage that in Kosovo, as previously in Bosnia, a number of international bodies will need to be involved in a mutually reinforcing way. I attach particular importance to the continued involvement of the United Nations Security Council, and also of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and of the EU.

This broader-based support, with accompanying concrete actions, is spelt out in resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, in decisions of the OSCE including to establish the Kosovo Verification Mission, and in decisions and conclusions of the EU's General Affairs Council. Such an approach is not based on the interests of the most powerful states but makes possible the involvement of a very wide range of countries of all sizes, including the European neutrals. Irelands' views have been, and will continue to be, put forward very actively in all those fora in which we are members.

Another way in which we can continue to make a contribution is, as the Deputy suggests, the provision of Irish personnel with experience in conflict prevention and peacekeeping. Irish personnel – be they military, police or civilian – who are engaged throughout the entire region with various missions of the United Nations, the OSCE, the EU or others, repeatedly demonstrate a particular sensitivity to the local situations and a capacity to deal with them. This is also acknowledged and appreciated by all concerned, and I intend to see that this pattern of contribution is maintained.

As regards experience with Northern Ireland, I would be somewhat cautious about drawing too close parallels with any situation in the Balkans, which constitute an extraordinarily complex region, consisting of a large number of smaller areas with divergent histories and characteristics.