Vol. 571 No. 2
135 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason officials of his Department declined to meet the representative of the Islamic Salvation Front, Dr. Mourad Dhina, during his recent visit to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21090/03]
It is the practice of the Department of Foreign Affairs that its officials will, from time to time meet with individuals representing opposition groups abroad. Such meetings may offer a more complete picture of the situation in other countries and can assist the Department in advising the Minister on policy towards these countries. In deciding on whether to proceed with such meetings, the Department takes into account the background both of the opposition group and of the representative seeking the meeting. It clearly would not be appropriate for officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs to meet, for example, with persons who advocate or support terrorist activities.
With regard to Algeria, it should be noted that officials of the Department have in the past met with representatives of the Islamic Salvation Front. The Department will continue to be open to various possibilities for improving its knowledge base on the situation in Algeria.
As the Deputy is aware, there have been a number of reports relating to Dr. Dhina which gave rise to concern about his background. The Department of Foreign Affairs is still seeking clarification of the issues which arose. It did not prove possible to obtain this clarification during Dr. Dhina's brief visit to Ireland, and accordingly the Department was not in a position to accede to Dr. Dhina's request for a meeting at that time.
136 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the matters discussed during the recent meetings between the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, and a delegation from the Ugandan Government; the assurances he received from the delegation regarding measures to end corruption and human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21092/03]
The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Kitt, had a meeting on 26 August with a Ugandan delegation headed by Mr. James Wapakhabulo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uganda, and Mr. Sam Kutesa, Minister of State for Investment of Uganda, who had travelled to Ireland in response to the public expression in the previous week of concerns about Ugandan involvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC. In wide ranging talks there were exchanges on issues in the Great Lakes region, on the DRC itself, on the peace process in the DRC, the EU and UN peacekeeping missions, the instability in the Ituri region of the DRC and on the partnership with donor countries, including Ireland.
As set out in a communiqué issued following the meeting, the Minister of State outlined in clear terms the Government's concerns arising from the Ugandan involvement in the DRC, concerns which had been emphasised in recent media coverage of human rights abuses in the Ituri region.
In response, Ministers Wapakhabulo and Kutesa emphasised Uganda's commitment to complete disengagement from the DRC against a background of an enduring peace process and a secure border and confirmed the withdrawal of all Ugandan troops. They reiterated that Uganda will continue to support and promote the peace process in the DRC and will use its influence with all parties to positive effect. They gave assurances that Uganda will continue to give the fullest co-operation and support to the EU and UN peacekeeping operations in the DRC and also gave assurances that, in line with the commitments given by the Ugandan Government on the publication of the report of the Porter judicial commission of inquiry into allegations into illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth in the DRC, and as required by law, Uganda will bring to account those implicated in the abuse of human rights and the illegal exploitation of the DRC's resources.
The Ugandan Government has been made fully aware of the concerns we have arising from allegations of Ugandan involvement in human rights abuses and the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the DRC and they have been left in no doubt about the seriousness with which we view those allegations. The assurances the Minister of State received have served to indicate that the Ugandan Government is treating those allegations with due seriousness, that it is actively following up on the findings of the Porter commission, and that it is determined to respond in an appropriate manner and bring to account any of its nationals implicated in such abuses. As already mentioned, all Ugandan troops have been withdrawn from the DRC and the Ugandan authorities have been extending full co-operation to the EU and UN peacekeeping operation in the DRC. In addition, the peace process in the DRC has made significant headway, with a transitional government now in place and in the process of establishing its authority, and all reports indicate that the situation there has considerably improved.
In his exchange with the delegation, the Minister of State raised the Government's concerns about corruption and human rights shortcomings in Uganda and was informed that the Ugandan Government is vigorously pursuing these issues and has introduced measures to deal with them.
We will of course continue to monitor the situation in the DRC carefully to ensure that the assurances we have received are given full effect.
Question No. 137 answered with Question No. 109.
