John Perry
Ceist:77 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will detail the current situation in Liberia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10002/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 31 March 2004
Ceisteanna (94)
Freagraí scríofa
Despite recent improvements in the security situation in UN controlled areas and progress in the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement, the peace process remains fragile. Monrovia is now a weapons free zone but the situation is less stable in areas outside the capital. Sporadic outbreaks of fighting in rebel strongholds highlight the need for a comprehensive process of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration. On 27 December 2003, UN troops deployed in rebel territory outside Monrovia for the first time and the effects have been immediate, with thousands of refugees returning from Sierra Leone.
A United Nations Mission in Liberia — UNMIL — programme of disarmament, demobilisation and rehabilitation — DDR — for rebel groups was suspended shortly after its launch in early December. It has been acknowledged generally that UNMIL did not have the capacity at the time to cope with the huge demand for DDR among former rebel soldiers, of which there are an estimated 53,000. The programme will resume once UNMIL has deployed throughout Liberia, possibly in April. In the meantime, a public awareness campaign on DDR has been launched.
On 5 and 6 February 2004, the Liberia reconstruction conference was held in New York. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Tom Kitt, represented the European Union and announced $200 million in EU assistance, as well as a further €5 million in funding from Ireland. In total, the conference received pledges for Liberia in excess of $500 million. The Minister of State welcomed the establishment of the United Nations Mission in Liberia and stressed that no progress could be made in Liberia without the timely implementation of UNMIL's mandate. He urged the international community to set realistic targets for Liberia adding that the challenges facing the country are enormous.
The comprehensive peace agreement was brokered commendably by the regional organisation, the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, on 18 August 2003, and has been endorsed by the United Nations Security Council. Mr. Gyude Bryant will serve as chairman of the transitional Government until parliamentary and presidential elections are held before the end of 2005. On taking office, Mr. Bryant pledged to introduce transparency in government and respect for human rights. The Irish Government was represented at the inauguration of the Liberian transitional Government in Monrovia on October 14 by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt.
The Government has deployed a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force to participate in the UN peacekeeping mission, UNMIL. The Irish contingent comprises a motorised infantry battalion of some 430 personnel, including the deployment of a small number of personnel at force headquarters in Monrovia. The Government is of the view that the deployment of UNMIL is critically important in supporting the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement and for the political and economic recovery of Liberia.