Dáil debates

Tuesday, 4 April 2006

4:00 pm

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 48, 49, 94, 97, 109 and 112 together.

Regarding the general political and security situation in Iraq and the allegations of the misappropriation of funds for reconstruction, I refer the Deputies to my previous replies to two Priority Questions. Despite very real progress in the establishment of democratic political institutions in Iraq, the Government and our partners in the EU are seriously concerned about the continuing violence in the country and the increased threat of civil strife. The formation of a new, broadly based Iraqi Government following the democratic elections held in December is now an urgent priority. The EU is determined to continue to support the Iraqi Government and people as they work to reconstruct their political and economic systems and society following years of dictatorship and war.

I would like to address a number of specific points raised by Deputies in these questions. It is important to recognise that the status of the US-led coalition in Iraq changed in June 2004. The international forces are now there under a UN mandate and at the invitation of the elected Iraqi Government. As recently as November 2005 the Security Council unanimously extended that mandate until the end of 2006. I look forward to the day when the Government of Iraq decides it has the resources and capacity to provide security for its citizens without outside help. Regrettably, that day has not yet arrived.

I met the new Iraqi ambassador to Ireland, Dr. Salah Al-Shaikhly, when he presented his credentials to President McAleese on 21 March. I was pleased to welcome him as the first Iraqi ambassador accredited to Ireland in more than 15 years. We had a useful discussion on the situation in Iraq and the prospects for progress. I assured him of the deep sympathy in Ireland for the suffering of the Iraqi people. Dr. Al-Shaikhly was frank about the difficulties facing Iraq at present but was anxious to emphasise that much of the country was largely free of the violence reported daily in the media. He also said that Iraq continues to need military assistance from international forces while looking forward to the day when the Iraqi authorities could assume full responsibility for security. Deputies will wish to be aware that I also underlined the great importance the Government and her family attach to the Iraqi authorities finding and bringing to justice the killers of Mrs. Margaret Hassan and locating her remains. The ambassador assured me that he would do everything he could to ensure progress on this tragic case.

I am aware of reports, to which Deputy Allen referred, concerning the situation of Palestinian refugees in Iraq, in particular the small group of refugees that left a camp near Baghdad and attempted unsuccessfully to cross into Jordan. Unfortunately, it is the case that increasing sectarian strife has raised the sense of threat felt by minority groups such as Palestinians, Turkomans and members of the different Iraqi Christian communities. The Government supports the statement of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, who urged the Iraqi Government, despite all the difficulties, to fulfil its obligations to protect refugees in its territory. Most of the Palestinians in question have been in Iraq for decades. Indeed, many of them were born in Iraq and I would agree with the approach of the UNHCR in asking the Iraqi authorities to expedite the process of granting them legal residency within the country as the best means of putting their status on a firmer footing. I would also agree with the UNHCR that the area of western Iraq near the Jordanian border is considerably more dangerous than the camps where they had been based.

I am of course concerned by reports alleging excessive use of force by international forces in Iraq. The Government has clearly stated its view numerous times that any use of force in civilian areas should be kept to a minimum and every effort must be made to avoid civilian casualties. The US authorities are fully aware of the Government's views and our specific concerns about incidents such as those at Abu Ghraib prison. At this time, the greatest threat to the Iraqi people comes from armed groups that are attempting to foment large scale civil strife and chaos through gun and bomb attacks on innocent men, women and children going about their daily lives. No one can excuse the use of force from whatever source directed against the civilian population. It is our duty at this stage to give our full support to those courageous Iraqis who are working in very difficult circumstances to create a new, united, democratic and prosperous Iraq following years in which their country's potential has been sapped by dictatorship and war.

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