Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the continuing military campaign in north Darfur; the prospects for ending the indiscriminate aerial bombardment by government aircraft that serves to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30805/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has consistently made clear that it is gravely concerned about the continuing humanitarian and political crisis in Darfur and is using all avenues to urge concerted international action to resolve it. We have been very active bilaterally, at EU level and in the UN context. We will continue to use every opportunity to persuade the Government of Sudan to accept a UN force in Darfur.

Darfur was top of the agenda in my meetings in New York last week with the Sudanese Foreign Minister and UN Secretary General Annan. It was also a major topic in my address to the UN General Assembly on 26 September 2006. Last July, I was the first EU Foreign Minister to visit Darfur since the signature of the May Peace Agreement, where I visited the largest displaced persons' camp, at Abu Shouk, near El Fashir.

The renewed fighting in areas of North Darfur is alarming. The decision by the Sudan Government to seek a military solution and bring more troops to the region, coupled with fighting among armed groups, shows utter disregard for the May 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement. It is clear from the killing and suffering of civilians during attacks on villages and internally displaced persons that combatants are not distinguishing between civilian and military targets. As indicated by the UN Secretary General in his report of 26 September, Darfur is at a critical stage; insecurity in this troubled region is at its highest levels and humanitarian access at its lowest levels since 2004. The Secretary General pointed out that, unless security improves, the world is facing the prospect of having to drastically curtail an acutely needed humanitarian operation.

On 25 September, Mr. Jan Pronk, the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Sudan, wrote to the leaders of the Government of Sudan and all movements involved in military action in Darfur urging them to refrain from hostilities and resume dialogue during the Muslim month of Ramadan (24 September – 24 October), as a gesture of sincerity and goodwill towards civilians.

On 15 September, EU Ministers for Foreign Affairs condemned the reported military attacks by both the Sudanese Government and the rebel groups and stressed that any military action will only further aggravate the already alarming humanitarian situation. Ministers emphasised that the Sudanese Government should stop their military action in Darfur, abide by the ceasefire agreement and respect their commitments under the Darfur Peace Agreement. Non-signatories should be held fully responsible for the fulfilment of their commitments set out in the April 2004 N'djamena Ceasefire Agreement. I call on all parties in the strongest terms to halt the violence and uphold their obligations to protect civilians.

The reported bombing raids in North Darfur by the Sudanese Government are a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1591 (2005), which demanded that the Government of Sudan should immediately cease conducting offensive military flights over the Darfur region, in accordance with its obligations under the N'djamena Ceasefire Agreement and the November 2004 Abuja Security Protocol. In its April 2006 report to the Security Council, the Panel of Experts established under Resolution 1591 (2005) recommended that the Council should consider establishment of an air exclusion zone (no fly zone) over the entire Darfur region for all Government of Sudan aircraft and aircraft utilised by parties to the conflict in Darfur. The Council has not yet done so. However, Resolution 1591 (2005) does provide that individuals responsible for offensive military overflights can be subjected to a travel ban or economic sanctions if the Council so decides.

As I stated when I addressed the UN General Assembly last week, the suffering of the people of Darfur shames the world. We cannot indefinitely stand by and watch with horror from the sidelines. The Sudanese Government has a clear responsibility to protect its citizens and if it fails to act the international community will have to consider possible further measures.

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 360: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his assessment of the current situation in Kosovo; his views on the prospects for its future autonomy or independence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30806/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Kosovo has been under UN administration since the end of the conflict there in 1999, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244. The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has been working with the Provisional Institutions of Self Government to bring about the implementation of European Standards in areas such as minority rights and the rule of law.

On 24 October 2005 the then Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General, Ambassador Kai Eide of Norway, presented to the UN Security Council a report of his comprehensive review of the situation in Kosovo. Ambassador Eide was critical of many aspects of the situation in Kosovo. He described the prospects for a multi-ethnic society as "grim" and was especially critical of the lack of progress in bringing about the rule of law. Nevertheless he recommended that, while there would never be an ideal time to decide Kosovo's future status, the time had come to begin a political process to consider this.

As recommended by Ambassador Eide, a process of consideration of the future status of Kosovo has been under way since last year, led by the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy, former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari. Ireland and our EU partners fully support the work of Mr Ahtisaari and his team.

Talks between Serbia, including representatives of the Kosovo Serb community, and representatives of the Kosovo Albanian community began in Vienna under the auspices of Mr.Ahtisaari in February last. They focused on such issues as decentralisation, seen as a confidence building measure for minorities, and protection of Serb religious and cultural sites. Neither these talks nor parallel talks, focusing on the status issue and taking place over the summer, produced any significant measure of agreement.

Mr Ahtisaari is now expected to bring forward proposals to the UN Security Council before the end of the year. While the exact nature of the proposals remain to be seen, there is an expectation that he will recommend that Kosovo be granted independence, albeit with limitations upon it, and with a continuing major role for the international community. Finally, it is broadly agreed that whatever arrangements emerge must offer guarantees for the protection of minorities, including their participation in public administration.