Oireachtas

Attacks on Kosovars condemned

The Minister for Foreign Affairs condemned the continuing attack on civilians in Kosovo by Serb forces

Wed Mar 31 1999 - 01:00

The Minister for Foreign Affairs condemned the continuing attack on civilians in Kosovo by Serb forces. Mr Andrews said the attacks had sharply escalated following the NATO action, with reports of summary executions and other atrocities as well as a continuing exodus to other countries.

He told the House that NATO air strikes were not an objective in themselves but a means to an end. "However, there was always the risk that they might prove counterproductive. I sincerely hope that this does not prove to be the case."

Mr Andrews said he did not believe "that prolonged hostilities, with mounting casualties on all sides, will contribute to peace and reconciliation in the Balkans".

The focus of attention had to get back to the negotiating table and "re-establish an international presence in Kosovo, acceptable to all".

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He pointed out, however, that NATO's decisions to proceed with air strikes "has clearly been taken with the aim of preventing a new humanitarian disaster and to reestablish peace in the region".

Mr Gay Mitchell, Fine Gael's foreign affairs spokesman, asked whether Irish troops would be part of the ground troops being advocated to go in, "or are we again expecting that this will be looked after by some other organisation or some other state".

The Minister said that Ireland did not initiate nor was the State party to the decision to go in and strike Belgrade.

"We are not members of NATO and we never will be as long as this Government is in power. Due to our neutrality, we cannot be a party to military alliances," he said.

Pressed by Mr Mitchell about whether Ireland would accept refugees from the conflict, the Minister said: "The primary objective of international effort remains to search for a lasting settlement in Kosovo which would allow refugees and displaced persons to return to their homes. The resettlement of refugees in third countries would be a last resort."

However, when Mr Mitchell raised the issue again, the Minister said: "Should the need arise Ireland would naturally be prepared to play its part".