Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Condoleezza Rice expanded the American analysis of the axis of evil states to include Cuba, Myanmar, Belarus and Zimbabwe. During the EU Presidency, Ireland opened diplomatic relations with Myanmar yet human rights abuses continue there. The Burmese Government was asked to take steps to demobilise the recruitment of child soldiers from its national army. Last June a UN committee found that Burma was violating international law by recruiting and using children as soldiers, some as young as 11 years of age. According to Human Rights Watch, this is outrageous. Approximately 20% of its army of 350,000 soldiers is made up of children under the age of 18. The US Administration has noted Myanmar as part of the axis of evil. We formed diplomatic relations with a military junta there. What is the position in that regard?

On Sudan, a sealed file has been made available by the International Criminal Court containing the names of those responsible for crimes against humanity. The European Union supports strongly the prosecution of these people by the International Criminal Court but America does not. China and Russia do not want to see sanctions imposed against Sudan. Is it the Taoiseach's intention to raise this serious matter with the American President and the EU ambassador to the United States in view of the fact that genocide occurred in Rwanda? The international commission said that while genocide did not actually occur, individuals have committed acts with genocidal intent, including attacks on villages, the killing of civilians, rape, pillaging and forced displacement. This is a horrendous situation. I can understand the frustration of Bob Geldof in a different sense in regard to Africa. This is something the Taoiseach, as leader of this country, should take to a much higher level. He should bring the issue to the notice of the American Administration which, I hope, will prevent further acts of this nature and save many thousands of lives.

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