Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 1 Oct 2003

Vol. 571 No. 2

Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

198 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he proposes to take in defence of the principles of the international law in view of the statement, not withdrawn, of a senior member of the Israeli cabinet that President Arafat might have to be eliminated; if he has indicated the Government's position to the Israeli government, the European Union and the UN; the further action he proposes to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21061/03]

I made the position of the Government clear in my statement of 12 September 2003, within hours of the Israeli cabinet meeting. The Israeli security cabinet's decision to expel President Arafat poses a serious threat to the Middle East peace process. President Arafat is the elected leader of the Palestinian people and should therefore play a central role in negotiations that would lead to a comprehensive settlement of the conflict. Any attempts by the Israelis to forcibly remove President Arafat would lead to a major upsurge in violence. Ireland also voted in favour of a United Nations General Assembly resolution, on 19 September, which demanded that Israel cease any threat to remove President Arafat.

This concern was further reiterated in the Taoiseach's address to the UN General Assembly on 25 September when he told the world leaders assembled in New York that "threats to expel or assassinate [President Arafat] are deeply misguided and dangerous and can only further delay efforts to achieve a settlement". Similar messages have been conveyed to the Israeli government by the European Union, by the United States and by regional powers.

Question No. 199 answered with Question No. 114.

Barr
Roinn