Ceist:
180 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position of the Government in relation to the Chechen conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1281/00]
Written Answers. - Chechen Conflict.
Since early September last year Russian forces have been carrying out a military campaign in Chechnya, following incursions by Chechen rebels into neighbouring Dagestan and a spate of bombing attacks in Russia blamed on the rebels. The capital city, Grozny, and southern Chechnya are now the scene of intense fighting between Russian ground forces and Chechen rebels. Heavy casualties have been suffered by both sides, but independently verified figures are not available. An estimated 20,000 civilians remain in Grozny. According to the UNHCR more than 180,000 displaced people are still in the neighbouring Russian republic of Ingushetia, 140,000 of them accommodated with host families, 25,000 in camps and another 28,000 in makeshift settlements.
The Government recognises the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation and the need for the federal authorities to take measures to deal with terrorism. However, the loss of civilian life and the plight of refugees and internally displaced persons fleeing the conflict zone in Chechnya is a matter of the utmost concern. The Government condemns attacks on civilians, who ever the perpetrators, and has allocated IR£220,000 in humanitarian assistance to Chechen internally-displaced persons. This allocation will augment Ireland's share of the European Union aid package of 1.2 million ECU.
Ireland's concerns about the situation in Chechnya have been made known to the Russian authorities on numerous occasions and at the highest level. The Taoiseach expressed our views directly to President Yeltsin on the occasion of the OSCE summit in Istanbul in November. On 8 December, I called in the Russian Ambassador. On 14 January, in my capacity as Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, I went to Moscow to meet Foreign Minister Ivanov. Minister Ivanov agreed that there had been human rights abuses on both sides and that Russia would have to do everything possible to correct this situation. Yesterday, I reported to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The assembly is debating the issue this week.
Since the conflict began, the Government has been working actively with EU partners to promote a political solution. In follow-up to the conclusions of the Helsinki European Council, the General Affairs Council on 24 January agreed to revise its work plan for the implementation of the common strategy on Russia. It has suspended signature of the scientific and technological agreement with Russia and decided not to carry over 30 million euros of unspent funds for food aid from 1999 to the 2000 budget. It has decided to re-focus the TACIS programme and suspend consideration of additional GSP preferences for Russia. It has also decided that the provisions of the partnership and co-operation agreement should be more strictly implemented.
The Government noted the agreement of Russia at the OSCE summit in Istanbul that a political solution in Chechnya is essential and that the assistance of the OSCE would contribute to achieving that goal. The Government will continue to work actively to try to persuade Russia to use the facilities of the OSCE and the Council of Europe to bring about a political resolution of the conflict and establish lasting democratic structures in Chechnya.