I propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 80 together.
The Government is gravely concerned at the situation in East Timor, and shares fully the sense of outrage at developments there since the announcement of the outcome of the popular consultation.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, as Personal Representative of the EU Presidency, observed at first hand the ballot which took place on 30 August. He has paid tribute to the outstanding work of the United Nations Mission for East Timor – UNAMET – which organised the popular consultation, and to the men and women from the Garda Síochána and Permanent Defence Forces who were part of that mission. All of those who observed the consultation process were impressed by the way in which the people of East Timor, despite widespread intimidation, registered for the poll and subsequently turned out to vote in overwhelming numbers of 96.6 per cent. In so doing, they expressed clearly their courage and determination to exercise their right to decide their own future.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, as head of the EU Observer Mission, submitted a report to the UN Electoral Commission indicating that the process had been conducted in a free and fair manner, despite the widespread intimidation. He later reported in similar terms to his EU colleagues at their meeting in Finland on 4 and 5 September.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs held a number of high level meetings, both before and after the vote, with President Habibie, Foreign Minister Alatas, and Mr. Xanana Gusmao in Jakarta, as well as with the local authorities and community leaders in Dili. He urged on all the necessity to respect fully the outcome of the ballot.
The result of the ballot, as announced by the UN Secretary General on 4 September, was that 78.6 per cent of the voters favoured independence. However, a deliberate campaign of terror and intimidation aimed at the people of East Timor immediately followed. There have been horrendous reports of atrocities. It is clear many have been murdered, although no precise figures are yet available. Many others were deported, either to West Timor or other parts of Indonesia. Hundreds of thousands of others were forced to take shelter in the mountains where they have been suffering extreme deprivation. Houses and facilities have been wantonly destroyed throughout East Timor. As the Minister for Foreign Affairs indicated in his address to the United Nations on 25 September, East Timor now faces a grave humanitarian crisis.
The Government has been taking all possible steps to mobilise international support for military intervention and humanitarian assistance. In the immediate aftermath of the announcement of the vote, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs personally contacted leading international figures, including the UN Secretary General, President Clinton, the Prime Minister of Australia and a large number of Foreign Ministers. The concerns of the Irish Government were formally communicated to the United Nations Security Council on 6 September, and the Permanent Representative, Ambassador Ryan, put forward, on instructions, the strong views of the Government in the debate of the Security Council on 11 September.
At the meeting of the EU General Affairs Council on 13 September, the Minister for Foreign Affairs called for increased EU pressure on Indonesia and clear condemnation of the violence. This was agreed. The EU also agreed a comprehensive arms embargo against Indonesia. The Council made clear that the EU looked forward to recognising East Timor once the process towards independence had been completed. The Government welcomes these steps and looks forward to their implementation at an early date.
The UN Security Council, in Resolution 1264 of 15 September, established a framework in which the crisis could be resolved and the provisions of the 5 May Tripartite Agreement implemented. It authorised the establishment of a multinational force to restore peace and security, demanded that those responsible for violence be brought to justice, and called for access for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid.
In view of the highly unsatisfactory security situation and the continuing legal responsibility of the Indonesian Government for security in East Timor until ratification in November by the Indonesian Parliament of the transfer of authority to the United Nations, strong pressure is now being exercised on Indonesia to accelerate this timetable. This would result in a clearer mandate for INTERFET and reduce the danger of conflict involving Indonesian forces.
The multinational force – INTERFET – is now being deployed and is gradually widening its area of control and restoring peace. The Government has announced its willingness to contribute 40 members of the Army Ranger Wing, subject to the approval of the House. Detailed discussions with the Australian authorities and other participants are now in hand. The Government will bring the issue before the House at an early date, once proposals have been finalised.
As regards the bringing to justice of the perpetrators of crimes against humanity, the Government has fully supported the call of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs. Robinson, for the establishment of an international commission of inquiry. At a special session of the Commission on Human Rights, which took place in Geneva under Irish chairmanship from 23 to 27 September, the EU put forward specific proposals in this regard. I am glad to report that these proposals were adopted by a substantial majority. This should clear the way for the establishment of the commission of inquiry.
The Government has also taken up in New York the application of the relevant provisions of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Informal consul tations on the procedural and substantive aspects are continuing, taking account of the developments at the Commission on Human Rights and other action under consideration by the Secretary General.
The Government shares the Deputies' concerns about the plight of the displaced persons and refugees. As many as 500,000 people have been forced to leave their homes or have been forcibly removed to camps in West Timor and others parts of Indonesia. Mr. Gusmao has called for international assistance to ensure the safe return of refugees and the Government fully supports this.
The UN civilian mission – UNAMET – is being redeployed on the ground. As East Timor has no functioning civilian administration, the Secretary General is considering bringing forward plans to put the UN interim administration in place, earlier than envisaged in the 5 May agreement, to address the task of emergency reconstruction.
The Government has approved a grant package of £1 million to meet the humanitarian and rehabilitation needs of the hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced people both in East and West Timor. The assistance will meet immediate humanitarian needs such as food, water and medical supplies and will help with initial reconstruction. It will also contribute towards efforts to help those dispersed against their will to other parts of Indonesia. All assistance will be co-ordinated with other donors to ensure an efficient and effective response to those in need. To date £400,000 has been allocated to the UN High Commission for Refugees, the United Nations Children's Fund and to the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs. These agencies have a presence on the ground and will strengthen their response capability as the situation improves.
The European Community Humanitarian Office has also responded to the crisis on behalf of the member states. To date 5 million euros have been allocated to cover emergency humanitarian aid. Further funding is envisaged based on estimates of needs in light of day-to-day developments.
