Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 2

Written Answers. - Mineral Wealth Exploitation.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

201 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the report of the UN panel on the illegal exploitation of wealth omitted a section detailing the exploitation of mineral wealth by international companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo; if he will raise objections to this on behalf of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26679/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The panel of experts on the illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) presented its final report to the UN Security Council on 27 October 2003. This report, which has been published, is currently being considered by the members of the Security Council with a view to their taking action on the recommendations contained therein.

I also understand that one section of the panel of experts' final report to the UN Secretary General was withheld from publication and has been made available to members of the Security Council only, on a strictly confidential basis. It will be a matter for the Security Council to decide what action to take in respect of this additional report and whether or not it should be made public.

The issue of illegal exploitation of resources in the DRC is one of major international importance, given the role which such illegal exploitation has played in fuelling the long and tragic conflict within the DRC and throughout the Great Lakes region generally. The promising steps offered by the conclusion of peace accords between the DRC government and the main rebel groups, the withdrawal of foreign forces from the territory of the DRC, and the establishment last July of a transitional power-sharing government in Kinshasa, will not be able to be properly built upon until there is an end to such illegal exploitation of resources. The Government concurs with the panel's view that a strong central government in the DRC with adequate control of its natural resources and borders is essential. The European Union is already actively engaged in supporting the peace process within the DRC and examining practical measures in which it can assist the new transitional government in Kinshasa to extend its authority throughout the entire country.

The Government would also urge all those directly concerned, including the transitional Government in Kinshasa and the governments of concerned neighbouring states, to consider the recommendations contained in the panel's report and, where appropriate, take steps to implement them. The panel of experts has also proposed the establishment of a monitoring mechanism to tackle and halt the flow of illegal arms into the DRC and this is no doubt a recommendation which will be given very careful consideration by the UN Security Council, in conjunction with its ongoing review of the role being performed by MONUC II, the UN peacekeeping mission in DRC. The Government would also urge all those directly concerned, including the transitional government in Kinshasa and the governments of concerned neighbouring states, to consider the recommendations contained in the panel's report and, where appropriate, take steps to implement them. The panel of experts has also proposed the establishment of a monitoring mechanism to tackle and halt the flow of illegal arms into the DRC and this is no doubt a recommendation which will be given very careful consideration by the UN Security Council, in conjunction with its ongoing review of the role being performed by MONUC II, the UN peacekeeping mission in DRC established under Security Council Resolution 1493 of 28 July 2003.