Trevor Sargent
Question:106 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the Government's chairmanship of the United Nations Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23830/01]
Written Answers. - UN Security Council Presidency.
I visited New York at the beginning of Ireland's Presidency of the Security Council earlier this month and held a range of high-level consultations on the agenda of the council for October. I met with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and senior UN officials and with US Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington. I also took the opportunity to meet with all other members of the Security Council and representatives of NGO groups.
My consultations included the subjects of terrorism, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East and African issues and have been of great assistance in ensuring that our presidency of the council is fully informed. I intend to make a further visit to New York towards the end of the month and during this period I will chair an important meeting of the Security Council on East Timor.
As President of the Security Council this month I would like to assure the House that we are engaging effectively on the range of issues on the SECCO agenda on the basis of our traditional commitment to peacekeeping, disarmament, development co-operation and human rights. In addition to ensuring the efficient conduct of the council's business, we will continue to bring an objective case-by-case analysis of the issues coming before the council. I believe that this approach has won us considerable respect among other council members and enabled us to have a significant influence on a number of conflict situations.
Our presidency provides us with an opportunity to promote Ireland's broad foreign policy objectives and interests, consistent with the safeguarding of international peace and security. During October we are playing a key role in conflict resolution, peace-building, peacekeeping, human rights and humanitarian matters in areas of conflict around the world from Afghanistan to the Congo.
Our presidency has been overshadowed by the terrible events of 11 September in the US. A key priority for Ireland is ensure that the Security Council follows up on Resolutions 1368 and 1373, agreed unanimously in the wake of the attacks.
In co-ordination with the UN Secretary-General I encouraged the US to brief the council on 8 October on its military operation in Afghanistan and as President we will ensure that SECCO monitors developments closely. We have also secured the rapid establishment of a Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee which will monitor the implementation of Resolution 1373. The council will also be discussing the political situation in Afghanistan with the Secretary-General's newly appointed Special Representative, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi. I will be speaking to Mr. Brahimi myself during the week.
Since January Ireland has been instrumental in focusing the attention of the Security Council on the grave humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. I have ensured that during October the council is monitoring the situation on the ground closely, including through regular discussions with those responsible for the UN's humanitarian and political work in the country.
It is important that the fight against terrorism does not distract our attention from the pressing conflicts in many other parts of the world. During our Presidency we are giving priority to resolving difficult issues in the Congo, Burundi, Angola and Somalia. We will also assist in whatever way we can the cause of peace in the Middle East. The independence of East Timor is also an issue close to the hearts of the Irish people and I look forward to personally chairing the meeting of the council on East Timor on 31 October.