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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 6

Written Answers. - Ethiopia-Eritrea Conflict.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

53 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's view of the continuing military conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea; if he will support international efforts to secure a halt to the fighting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8929/99]

It is a matter of deep regret for Ireland, our EU partners and other members of the international community, that there is continuing conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. This conflict is resulting not only in military casualties but also in unacceptably high levels of civilian fatalities and displacement. It is destabilising both countries in political, humanitarian and economic terms and wasting scarce resources which could otherwise be invested in national development. The Government considers that further loss of life and material destruction can be prevented through an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to the negotiation framework which had been accepted by the warring parties under the mediation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).

The EU has recently adopted a common position imposing an arms embargo on both Ethiopia and Eritrea as called for by UN Security Council Resolution 1227 of 10 February. Along with our European partners, the Government has expressed its willingness to assist the OAU, Ethiopia and Eritrea in the implementation of a peaceful and negotiated settlement. We are supporting the ongoing efforts of the UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan and his OAU counterpart, Dr. Salim Salim, who recently met in Washington to discuss the conflict, aimed at a non-military settlement. The UN Secretary General has also initiated contingency planning in support of a possible peace-keeping operation. The matter is being addressed by African States including at the OAU Council of Ministers which took place in Addis Ababa on 19-23 March. This was attended by the UN Assistant Secretary General, Mr. Ibrahim Fall, who will report to the UN Security Council. The Eritrean Foreign Minister and the Ethiopian Deputy Foreign Minister discussed the crisis with members of the Security Council in New York on 22 March.

It is hoped that this latest co-operation between the UN and the OAU, supported strongly by the EU and other members of the international community, can lead to a cessation of the conflict and a resumption of dialogue. The Government considers such a resumption to be essential to overcome the outstanding difficulties between Ethiopia and Eritrea in relation to certain elements of the OAU framework proposals and to prevent further hardship for their people. These concerns have been conveyed bilaterally to both Governments.

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