John Gormley
Question:118 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the Government's position regarding the conflict in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23832/01]
Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.
Charles Flanagan
Question:135 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the consequences he sees for this State arising from the war in Afghanistan. [23887/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 135 together.
The Government's position is very clear with regard to the situation that now pertains in Afghanistan. Ireland will continue to support proportionate and targeted action by the US and others pursuant to Article 51 of the UN Charter and Security Council Resolution 1368. The offer by the Government of Irish airspace and airports, in this regard, is fully consistent with our obligations under the UN Charter.
The military action under way has been taken on the basis of evidence linking the al-Qaeda organisation to the attacks of 11 September as well as numerous other attacks on the United States over the past number of years, attacks for which Osama bin Laden has been publicly supportive in television interviews, and as a response to the Taliban's refusal to comply with the wishes of the international community by ending its support for terrorists.
Once it was clear that the al-Qaeda network was implicated in the events of 11 September, the Taliban regime was given an opportunity to co-operate. It is worth recalling that the Taliban has been in defiance of Security Council resolutions for the past two years. However, the Taliban refused yet again to co-operate with the Security Council Council Resolution 1368 was quite clear in stressing ‘that those responsible for aiding, supporting or harbouring the perpetrators, organisers and sponsors' of the terrorist attacks on 11 September would be held accountable.
Immediately following the start of the US led bombing campaign, I discussed the situation with the UN Secretary General and with Secretary of State Powell. The following day, Ireland convened a session of the Security Council to enable members to be briefed by the US and British representatives. They made it clear that the bombing was being directed against military targets.
At the EU level, the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers on 8 October expressed its strong support for the action being taken by the US led forces, in self-defence and in conformity with the UN Charter and Security Council Resolution 1368.
At this time, I particularly welcome the appointment by Secretary General Annan of his Special Representative to Afghanistan, Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi. Mr. Brahimi is meeting with the Security Council today. Our desire, shared I have no doubt by the whole international community, is to see the introduction of a government in Afghanistan which is truly representative, and responds to the needs and aspirations of the Afghan people. Ireland stands ready to assist in whatever way it can in achieving this.
We are ready, with our partners, to take whatever action is necessary to ensure international peace and security. In this regard, the Government has already decided to accelerate work on the signature and ratification by Ireland of existing international anti-terrorism conventions.
The International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, 1999, was signed, subject to ratification, in New York yesterday by the Irish Permanent Representative to the UN. The preparation of primary legislation to enable ratification of this convention is being given the highest priority by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.