Vol. 514 No. 4
6 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs Ireland's views on and response to the UN Security Council's report of spring 1999 in relation to humanitarian relief in Iraq and on the suffering of the civilian population there as a result of sanctions; if the Government has satisfied itself as to the manner in which sanctions are being implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4333/00]
I apologise for the absence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs who, as you are aware Sir, has been called away at the last moment to attend the London talks. Ireland shares the international humanitarian concern at the deprivations being suffered by the people of Iraq. The imposition and administration of the sanctions are primarily a matter for the Security Council and the Iraqi authorities.
In February last year, the UN Secretary General presented a report on the implementation of the oil for food programme, which revealed inadequacies. The members of the Security Council were not, and are still not, fully agreed on the reasons for these inadequacies. The Security Council established three panels to examine the facts in regard to, first, humanitarian assistance, second, the inspection of arms and, third, prisoners of war. These reported to the Security Council in spring 1999.
The panel report on humanitarian assistance stated that "the gravity of the humanitarian situation of the Iraqi people is indisputable and cannot be overstated." To help remedy this situation, the panel made a number of recommendations addressed both to the international community and to the Iraqi government, including proposals to secure additional funding for the humanitarian oil for food programme by raising the ceiling on oil exports from Iraq.
On 17 December, the Security Council adopted a comprehensive resolution, No. 1284. This unconditionally abolished the ceiling on oil exports, and provided for the suspension of sanctions for renewable periods in return for satisfactory Iraqi co-operation with UN disarmament inspections. It is a matter of record that the authorities in Baghdad refused to accept the arms inspection provisions and rejected the terms of the resolution.
Ireland and the European Union fully support the UN Security Council in demanding full compliance by the Government of Iraq with the terms of its resolutions, which require the verification of the elimination of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. Compliance with these resolutions will make it possible for the entire issue of sanctions against Iraq to be resolved.
I take this opportunity to wish the Minister well in his appointment to the Cabinet. Is he aware that continuance of the economic sanctions is causing the death of an additional 200 children a day? Will he comment on the resignation of Hans von Sponeck on Sunday? He is the second official to be co-ordinator of humanitarian relief in Iraq and he resigned on the same principle as his predecessor, Denis Halliday, namely that the misery and death being visited on civilians in Iraq made his position unsustainable.
The UN committee on economic, social and cultural rights stated that the inhabitants of a given country do not forfeit basic economic, social and cultural rights by virtue of any determination that their leaders have violated norms relating to international peace and security. On what basis can we possibly continue to support economic sanctions, given the facts I have outlined? Are the Minister and the Government not concerned that independent representatives of the UN – senior representatives of Kofi Annan – have said they cannot operate the policy and look on while children's deaths are increasing by hundreds every day?
The Government is very concerned at the difficulties arising in connection with the implementation of the international humanitarian aid programmes as a result of the sanctions. These difficulties have been reflected in the two high level resignations this week. The permanent members of the Security Council appear to hold divided views on these resignations. The US and Britain have been critical of Mr. von Sponeck because of his opposition to sanctions although France is reported to have indicated that his evaluation of the humanitarian situation corresponds to reality. While the Government is concerned, we support the position of the UN Security Council.
The Minister referred to the different reports on Hans von Sponeck's resignation. The coverage in the US press was disgraceful. They say it is good that he resigned on the basis that he was reported in the Iraqi press as doing a good job for children and with regard to humanitarian relief. Where does Ireland stand? We are canvassing for membership of the security council and have sent ambassadors around the world, including trawling in the Pacific, for votes. What will be our attitude to the continuance of economic sanctions if we get a seat on the Security Council? It is not clear what is meant when we say we support the Security Council. Does it mean we are supporting Britain and the US which is supporting economic sanctions to the extent that graphite for pencils used in schools are included in the embargo? Two weeks ago Jordan sent a couple of hundred thousand pencils to Iraq. We cannot simply say we are concerned by the economic sanctions. The issue concerns the lives of children.
I noted that the Minister did not reply when I asked for his response to the statement of the UN committee on economic, social and cultural rights saying that the inhabitants of a given country do not forfeit their economic, social, cultural or other rights simply because the leadership of their country has been involved in a conflict. It is an outrageous violation of every norm and principle of international policy and I am appalled at the suggestion that we can be satisfied on the basis of a US flyer. What about the 90 law makers in the US Congress, including the second most senior democrat, who have said they want the sanctions rescinded?
It is vitally important that we lay blame in the proper place. Irrespective of what the Deputy says, the Iraqi Government continues to fail to co-operate adequately with the UN programme. A report by the UN special envoy, dated October 1999, states—
Which envoy?
I do not have the person's name. He stated that the prevailing regime in Iraq has effectively eliminated the civil rights to life, liberty and physical integrity and the freedoms of thought, expression, association and assembly. While this situation exists we must support whatever action is necessary to deal with the regime. The Deputy can be assured that Ireland is playing its role in supporting the UN and in trying to solve the problem.
We should support the children of Iraq. We should not be a party to genocide. What is happening qualifies under the international legal definitions of genocide. I gave the names of the two people who reported to Kofi Annan and who have retired in protest. These were career people who said they could not continue to justify what is taking place in the name of economic sanctions.
We must proceed to Question No. 7.
I would like to think we are not supporting genocide.
