Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 2003

Vol. 571 No. 1

Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

448 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's position on the final political status of Kosovo; his views on independence for Kosovo; if he will promote a dialogue between the provisional institutes of self government and the newly installed special representative of the Secretary General to resolve this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21031/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The final status of Kosovo will be determined in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244. It is clear that the eventual resolution of the final status issue will be reached in the context of the European perspective of the western Balkans.

Since his arrival in Kosovo in August, the new special representative of the UN Secretary General and head of UNMIK, Harri Holkeri, has met all sides in Pristina and in Belgrade and has consulted widely with the EU, the US and other international partners. He is working with the support of the international community to reinvigorate the policy of "standards before status" on the basis of Resolution 1244.

The General Affairs and External Relations Council on 29 September reiterated the importance of an early start to the direct dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina on practical issues of mutual concern, which was agreed in principle at the Thessaloniki Summit in June. Special representative Holkeri hopes to launch the process at a meeting in Vienna in mid-October. The EU is encouraging the provisional institutions of self-government in Pristina and the authorities in Belgrade to engage fully in the dialogue. I am convinced that a sustained dialogue can achieve practical results and help build confidence for the future of the people of Kosovo.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

449 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his most recent discussions with the US authorities on the conditions of the approximately 650 prisoners of war being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. [21283/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

As the Deputy will be aware, I have, on a number of occasions, made known the Government's concerns regarding the treatment and status of the detainees held at Guantanamo Bay both in this House and elsewhere. These concerns are shared by our partners in the EU. The United States is well aware of the Government's view that those detained at Guantanamo Bay should be treated in accordance with the provisions of international human rights and humanitarian law. These concerns have been conveyed most recently to the US embassy in Dublin by my Department last week.

In expressing these views, I do so as a friend of the United States. The Government recognises the danger posed by terrorists' networks such as al-Qaeda. Together with our EU partners, we are committed to working with the United States in the fight against international terrorism. However, when confronting those who abuse all forms of human rights it is important that the highest standards of international law are maintained at all times, including through scrupulous respect for international law.

Question No. 450 answered with Question No. 411.