Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 6

Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

87 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to support the view of the development sub-committee of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs that Ireland should not support Plan Colombia in its present form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27479/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I welcome the attention focused by the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs's development sub-committee on the situation in Colombia. In discussions to prepare the EU position on the Colombian peace process, the Government expressed concerns similar to those which I understand inform the sub-committee's views. Ireland placed particular emphasis, for example, on full respect for human rights, meaningful consultation with civil society and the necessity to address the underlying causes of conflict.

The conclusions adopted by the General Affairs Council on 9 October reflected those criteria as well as other valid themes advanced by NGOs and bodies such as the development sub-committee. Ministers agreed proposals for a specifically European, multi-dimensional programme of support for the peace process in Colombia, concluding that:

The European Union reaffirms its political support for the peace effort initiated by President Pastrana. Together with the international community, it wishes to be of active assistance in the negotiating process which, against a background of consultation of civil society and with the agreement of all parties, should lead to peace rooted in human rights, humanitarian law and fundamental freedoms. Continuing its present efforts, the European Union will implement a substantial European programme of socio-economic and institutional support for the peace process in Colombia, aimed at promoting and protecting respect for human rights, humanitarian law and fundamental freedoms, improving the living conditions of the local populations, encouraging the cultivation of alternative crops and the protection of bio-diversity, and supporting the introduction of structural reforms in all fields that fuel armed conflict.

The concerns of the development sub-committee were further reflected in the detailed declaration made by the EU Presidency on behalf of the union at the meeting of the international peace process support group in Bogota on 24 October, which set out the EU view of the peace process, the criteria to govern the EU support programme, and the areas where the EU intends to focus its activities. Key points which were stressed were: there is no military solution available which could lead to lasting peace; this can only be achieved by a broadly based, overall negotiated agreement; there is no alternative therefore to the peace process; the EU condemns violations of human rights and international humanitarian law irrespective of who commits such abuses; the EU recognises that Colombia suffers from a culture of endemic violence the causes of which transcend the conflict caused by guerrilla movements and drug trafficking; the EU programme will consist of a continuation of already ongoing efforts and will be implemented in accordance with its own procedures; it will provide logistical or financial support to projects negotiated with the parties concerned including civil society; there will be a regular, six-monthly evaluation of the programme's implementation; and EU action will be focused on support for the rule of law, defence of human rights and international humanitarian law, the fight against the causes of violence and assistance for its victims, the protection of bio-diversity and the environment, the enhancement of regional co-operation.

In addition, the declaration made particular reference to juridical co-operation in diminishing the high level of impunity from the rule of law, practical help for those who protect human rights including the peace communities, help for the millions of displaced people, alternative options for campesinos who grow illegal crops, recognition that non-selective chemical eradication of illegal crops should not negatively affect projects for alternative crop production, assistance with fundamental structural reforms for reducing inequalities and improving standards of living particularly in the countryside, recognition of the importance of preserving the richness of Colombian bio-diversity, 10% of the world total, which is endangered by deforestation and the use of chemicals in both the production of illegal drugs and in certain efforts to eradicate them, recognition too that experience in other Andean countries in the reduction of illegal crops has shown that the problem can simply be displaced from country to country, and therefore the fight against drug trafficking and organised crime can only be effective at regional and international level, including action against chemical precursors and money laundering.

That is a summary of the EU position which does not, I believe, fail to reflect the valid concerns of bodies like the sub-committee on development. Earlier this month I arranged to have a copy of the full text of the EU Presidency statement at Bogota placed in the Library.