Committee Reports > List of Committees > Joint > 1998 > Committee on Foreign Affairs > Annual Report of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, 1997-1998

APPENDIX 12

Minutes of the Public Sessions of the Sub-Committee on Development Co-operation

Third Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

Sub-Committee on Development Co-operation

Proceedings of the Sub-Committee

Tuesday, 16 December 1997.

1.The sub-Committee met in public session at 5.15p.m. in Room G24 Kildare House.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:-

Deputies Liam Aylward, Austin Deasy, Michael O’Kennedy and Brendan Smith and Senators Dino Cregan* and Mick Lanigan.

* Substitute for Senator Madeleine Taylor-Quinn.

3.Election of Chairman

Nominations for the position of Chairman were sought by the Clerk and Senator Mick Lanigan was nominated by Deputy Michael O’Kennedy. Senator Lanigan’s election as Chairman was unanimous and Senator Lanigan took the Chair.

4.Frequency of Meetings

It was agreed that the sub-Committee would meet once every four weeks, with exceptions if required, on weeks that the Joint Committee is not scheduled for a meeting.

5.Work of Committee

It was agreed that the Chairman would have discussions with the Joint Committee Chairman, the sub-Committee on Human Rights Chairman and the Clerk with a view to putting proposals on how the sub-Committee can best operate, without duplicating the work of the Joint Committee or the other sub-Committee, before the Committee.

6.Terms of Reference

The following terms of reference were agreed to:-

“The sub-Committee on Development Co-operation shall examine such aspects of

(a)Ireland’s relations with developing countries in the field of development co-operation and

(b)the Government’s official Development Assistance Programme

as the sub-Committee may select or a may be referred to it by the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs”.

7.Adjournment

The Sub-Committee adjourned at 5.20pm. sine die.

_________________

Senator Mick Lanigan,

Chairman.

February, 1998.

Third Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

Sub-Committee on Development Co-Operation

Proceedings of the Sub-Committee

Wednesday 4th February, 1998

1.The Sub-Committee met in Public Session in Room G24, Kildare House at 5.05 pm.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:-

Senator Mick Lanigan (in the Chair), Deputies Liam Aylward, and Austin Deasy; Also, Senators Frank Chambers, Don Lydon and Labhras Ó Murchú.

3.Minutes

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 December, 1997 were agreed to. It was also agreed that the Sub-Committee would in normal circumstances meet every four weeks but that it would meet more often, when the need arose, in order to consider matters of particular concern.

4.Meeting with Ms. Margaret Hennessy, Department of Foreign Affairs

Ms. Hennessy addressed the Sub-Committee on matters relating to development co-operation. She outlined the areas of importance namely:-

(i)the need for aid to rise from .32% of GNP to .45% of GNP by the year 2002;

(ii)the fact that Departmental aid to Africa was concentrating on the six poorest countries;

(iii)the pending re-negotiation of the Lomé Agreement;

(iv)the necessity to consider the effects of global trade policies and the actions of the IMF and World Bank in tandem with development aid;

(v)the need to encourage stable democratic systems in the countries to which aid is given; and

(vi)the importance of directing aid at both increasing sustainability and reducing poverty.

5.Work Programme

A draft work programme had been circulated to Members in advance of the meeting.

It was agreed that the work programme of the Sub-Committee be amended to include consideration of a follow up to the Lomé Convention in view of the fact that the Lomé IV Convention is due to expire in the year 2000.

The amended Work Programme of the Sub-Committee is:

Work Programme for Sub-Committee on Development Co-operation

1.The Sub-Committee might look at a number of issues. Priority could be given to the following :

a) Reduction in poverty and the promotion of sustainable development. Under this topic, we could look at the following:

b) Assistance in establishing and maintaining peace in developing countries by fostering democracy, respect for human rights, gender and social equality and protection of the environment.

2.From a multilateral perspective, the Sub-Committee might wish to look at Ireland’s role in supporting multilateral development agencies in an increasingly globalised world, in particular the EU and, within the UN framework, the UNDP, UNHCR and UNICEF.

In this context particular attention could be paid to the follow-up to the Lomé (ACP-EU) Convention - The Lomé IV Convention is scheduled to expire in February 2000.

3.The Sub-Committee could also consider the issue of the need of responding in good time to emergencies and humanitarian disasters, both natural and man-made, as they occur and of actions to prevent and mitigate disasters.

4.The Department of Foreign Affairs will be pleased to provide briefing on the various programmes and issues. Initial briefing can be followed up, as required, on various specific issues.

5.The Sub-Committee will also wish to talk to relevant people in the development field who will be able to provide deeper understanding of the issues. These will include:

a)Representatives from developing countries (who regularly visit Ireland);

b)NGOS (both Irish and international)

c)Representatives from international agencies (e.g. International Committee of the Red Cross)

d)Academics, experts.

6.Among the NGOs, the Sub-Committee might consider inviting submissions from and receiving the following:

-Christian Aid

-Concern

-Goal

-Gorta

-Irish National Committee for UNICEF

-Oxfam in Ireland

-Red Cross

-Self Help International

-Trócaire

6.Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 5.45 until 4pm on Wednesday, 4 March 1998.

_____________

Mick Lanigan,

Chairman.

March, 1998.

Third Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

Sub-Committee on Development Co-Operation

Proceedings of the Sub-Committee

Wednesday 4th March, 1998

1.The Sub-Committee met in Public Session in Room G24, Kildare House at 4.05 pm.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:-

Senator Mick Lanigan (in the Chair), Deputies Liam Aylward, Ben Briscoe*, Austin Deasy and Michael O’Kennedy; and Senator Madeleine Taylor-Quinn.

* in substitution for Brendan Smith.

Apologies from Deputy Theresa Ahearn.

3.Minutes

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 4 February, 1998 were agreed to.

4.Presentation by CONCERN

Mr. Howard Dalzell and Mr. Paddy McGuinness from CONCERN addressed the sub-Committee.

They outlined the work being done by CONCERN along with detailing the global picture and expressed both their hopes and concerns for the areas in which they operate.

In the question and answer session that followed the following needs were highlighted:-

-To build a proper civil society in the countries that were receiving aid;

-Work on improving the environment;

-Eradicate debt in developing countries;

-The organisation of work programmes by the indigenous people;

-Private sector investment and regulation;

-The importance of good government;

-Constant highlighting of problems in the World’s media;

-Code of conduct for the arms trade; and

-increase UN involvement in peacekeeping.

5.Any other business

The sub-Committee went into private session. It was agreed that a request be made to the Joint Committee to send a delegation of three from the sub-Committee to the Third European Conference of the Liaison Committee of Development NGOs to the European Union.

6.Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 5.30 pm until 4.00 pm on Wednesday 1 April, 1998.

____________________

Senator Mick Lanigan,

Chairman.

April, 1998.

Third Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

Sub-Committee on Development Co-Operation

Proceedings of the Sub-Committee

Wednesday 1st April, 1998

1.The Sub-Committee met in Public Session in Room G24, Kildare House at 4.05 pm.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:-

Senator Mick Lanigan (in the Chair), Deputies Michael Creed *, Proinsias De Rossa, Tony Killeen *, Michael O’Kennedy and Brendan Smith; and Senators Madeleine Taylor-Quinn.

Also in attendance were Senators Dan Kiely, Don Lydon, Paschal Mooney and Jim Walsh.

* in substitution for Austin Deasy and Liam Aylward respectively

Apologies from Deputy Theresa Ahearn.

3.Minutes

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 4 March, 1998 were agreed to.

4.Presentation by Trócaire

Mr Éamonn Meehan and Ms Mary Sutton made a presentation to the sub-Committee which dealt with the history of the organisation, its work in Ireland and its involvements overseas. Mr Meehan informed the meeting that Trócaire was involved in 400 projects in 50 countries spending a total of £11.5 million. He stressed the fact that they had as a priority local community involvement and development in the programmes that they organised. Their target groups tended to be the needs of women and children, rural communities and victims of conflict.

In the question and answer session that followed matters that were raised included:- food security, the enormity of the problems tackled by Trócaire, the scandal of the global arms trade and the activities of the international banking system, human rights abuses in many countries, the treatment of refugees in Ireland and the worsening situation in the areas of Angola where UNITA were well supported.

5.Any other business

It was agreed that the delegation of the sub-Committee who are due to attend the Third European Conference of the Liaison Committee of Development NGOs to the European Union would meet with the delegates representing Irish NGOs prior to attending the conference.

6.Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 5.30 p.m. until 2.30 pm on Thursday, 2nd April, 1998.

________________

Senator Mick Lanigan

Chairman.

April, 1998.

Third Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

Sub-Committee on Development Co-Operation

Proceedings of the Sub-Committee

Thursday 2nd April, 1998

1.The Sub-Committee met in Public Session in Room G24, Kildare House at 2.35 pm.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:-

Senator Mick Lanigan (in the Chair), Deputies Liam Aylward, Martin Brady *, Proinsias De Rossa and Brendan Smith.

* in substitution for Michael O’Kennedy.

Apologies from Deputies Theresa Ahearn and Austin Deasy.

Also in attendance, Senator Denis O’Donovan.

3.Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 1st April, 1998 were agreed to.

4.Debt and Development Coalition

The Chairman welcomed Ms Jean Somers from the Debt and Development Coalition Ireland and Mr Christopher Mwakasege, Director of Tanzania Social and Economic Trust (a Tanzanian NGO) and a member of the Tanzanian National Task Force, the Government appointed agency, which has been set up to develop a strategy to deal with Tanzania’s debt problem. The principle aims of the agency are:-

(i)Obtain support for their debt strategy in an effort to solve their problem;

(ii)Bring forward debt relief, under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, from the year 2002 to 1999; and

(iii)Switch the international focus towards poverty elimination in place of debt elimination.

Reference was also made to the general political situation of Tanzania namely:-

the existence of two constitutions, two Governments and two presidents, one for the united country of Tanzania and one for Zanzibar, and the fact that both were currently operating well. The meeting was further informed that the economic, social and refugee problems of that region of Africa were, with the exception of Burundi, much improved.

It was agreed that:-

(i)the sub-Committee would obtain and discuss the First Report of the Tanzanian Task Force;

(ii)Ms Margaret Hennessy from the Department of Foreign Affairs, would be contacted in an effort to have representations made to have the date of commencement of the HIPC Initiative, in respect of Tanzania, brought forward from 2002 to 1999; and

(iii)Representations be made to the Minister for Finance, in respect of Tanzania, prior to the Spring Meeting of the International Monetary Fund.

5.Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 3.15 p.m.

___________________

Senator Mick Lanigan,

Chairman.

April, 1998.

Third Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

Sub-Committee on Development Co-Operation

Proceedings of the Sub-Committee

Wednesday 29th April 1998

1.The Sub-Committee met in Public Session in Room G24, Kildare House at 4.05pm.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:-

Senator Mick Lanigan (in the chair), Deputies Liam Aylward, Prionsias De Rossa, Tom Enright* and Brendan Smith.

Also in attendance, Senator John Connor

* in substitution for Austin Deasy

Apologies from Deputy Theresa Ahearn and Senator Madeleine Taylor-Quinn.

3.Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 2nd April, 1998 were agreed to.

4.Nutrifil Ltd.

The Chairman welcomed Mr. Michael Mulvaney, Dr. Paul Mathias and Mr. John McEvoy, Directors of Nutrifil Ltd.

The Nutrifil delegation outlined their company’s objectives as - the development of nutritionally complete products; the creation of Irish jobs; the constant research and adaptation of products; the formation of a centre of excellence; and the use of Irish materials to produce value added products.

They detailed how having been established in 1984, in response to the crisis in Somalia, Nutrifil initially enjoyed a good measure of success but that more recently it had experienced difficulty in penetrating those markets in which Government Departments and Irish NGOs are major buyers.

In the question and answer session that followed it was pointed out that ’trade for aid’ was never a feature of Irish aid policy and that the sub-Committee could not get involved in commercial transactions entered into by either Government Departments or NGOs. However, the sub-Committee agreed, that on receipt of further company background information, it would examine the criteria, if any, that have been put in place to govern the way in which NGOs spend their resources.

5.Any other business

(i)NGO Conference: The Chairman informed the sub-Committee that he, along with Deputies Prionsias De Rossa and Michael O’Kennedy, had attended a conference organised by the Liaison Committee of EU NGOs relating to the future for development co-operation in an era of globalisation. He added that the conference had been very beneficial and that a draft report would be ready for the next meeting.

(ii)Minister of State Liz O’Donnell: It was agreed that Deputy Liz O’Donnell, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs would be invited to attend the next meeting of the sub-Committee.

6.Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 5.00 pm until 4.00 pm on Wednesday 27 May, 1998.

_________________

Senator Mick Lanigan

Chairman

May 1998

Third Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

Sub-Committee on Development Co-operation

Proceedings of the Sub-Committee

Wednesday 27th May, 1998

1.The Sub-Committee met in Public Session in Room G2, Kildare House at 3.05pm.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:-

Senator Mick Lanigan (in the chair), Deputies Prionsias De Rossa and Michael Kitt*. Also in attendance, Senators Liam Fitzgerald*, Dermot Fitzpatrick, Edward Haughey, Tony Kett, Don Lydon and Jan O’Sullivan.

* in substitution for Brendan Smith and Michael O’Kennedy respectively.

Apologies from Deputies Theresa Ahearn and Austin Deasy.

3.Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 29 April, 1998 were agreed to.

4.Presentation by Deputy Liz O’Donnell, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

A.The Minister of State began her presentation by outlining in a global sense the way in which development co-operation has worked to date and the way in which it can be made to work better.

In relation to Ireland’s policy she emphasised five areas of Ireland’s programme namely:-

She added that Ireland would also continue to press our viewpoint at international fora such as the UN and its various agencies, the EU and the Bretton Woods institutions. She emphasised that a more urgent implementation of the HIPC Initiative by the World Bank and the IMF was also a priority.

The following matters were raised in the question and answer session that followed:-

(i)The need for Ireland to honour our international obligations particularly in view of the movement of people both northward and westward;

(ii)the fact that there are regular reviews carried out by experts on the effectiveness of the money that has been spent, in developing countries, by Ireland;

(iii)the need for Ireland to continue to strive to decrease poverty and increase both good governance and democracy; and

(iv)the importance of co-ordinating Europe’s policy post Lomé.

5.Adjournment

The meeting concluded at 4.00 pm.

____________________

Senator Mick Lanigan

Chairman

Third Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

Sub-Committee on Development Co-operation

Proceedings of the Sub-Committee

Wednesday 24th June, 1998

1.The Sub-Committee met in public session from 4.00 p.m. to 5.10 p.m. and from 5.15 to 5.20 p.m. in Room G24, Kildare House.

2.Attendance

The following Members were present:-

Senator Mick Lanigan (in the chair), Deputies Ben Briscoe, Martin Brady*, Prionsias De Rossa and Brendan Smith; and Senator Don Lydon.

* in substitution for Deputy Michael O’Kennedy.

Concern was represented by Mr. David Begg, Mr. Paddy McGuinness and Ms. Sally-Anne Kinahan.

3.Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 27 May, 1998 were agreed to.

4.Presentation by Concern

The following general points were highlighted by the Concern delegation:-

-The war in Sudan had developed out of disputes over grazing rights;

-Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced;

-Only one third of the needs of the appeal by the World Food Programme have been supplied;

-Drought had resulted in the failure of crops and pastures to grow;

-The Government has refused entry to food supplies, and overall, 1.2 million people are at serious risk of famine in two months time if food isn’t provided.

Concern is attempting to resolve the crisis by:-

-Purchasing food and putting it into the food chain;

-Seconding experienced and trained staff to the World Food Programme;

-Organising the provision of non food products; and

-Seeking to have additional bases from which to distribute food

In the across the table discussion that followed the issues that were discussed included:

-The war has been caused by a lust for power between factions divided on an ethnic basis;

-Both sides have committed terrible atrocities;

-There is a need for the EU to increase discretionary spending;

-It is imperative that Sudan should produce its own food;

-Any political settlement will almost certainly involve a division of the country; and

-The need for the EU to provide adequate resources through an Emergency Response Unit.

5.Adjournment

The meeting concluded at 5.20 p.m.

________________

Senator Mick Lanigan

Chairman

July, 1998.

Third Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

Sub-Committee on Development Co-operation

Proceedings of the Sub-Committee

Wednesday 22nd July, 1998

1.The Sub-Committee met in public session at 4.10 p.m. in Room G5, Kildare House.

2.Attendance:

The following Members were present:-

Senator Mick Lanigan (in the chair), Deputies Michael Creed *, Brendan Kenneally *, Austin Deasy, Prionsias De Rossa, Michael O’Kennedy and Brendan Smith.

* in substitution for Deputies Theresa Ahearn and Liam Aylward respectively.

Also in attendance Deputy Batt O’Keeffe.

Mr John O’Shea represented GOAL.

3.Minutes:

The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 24 June, 1998 were agreed to. Arising from the minutes it was agreed that the communiqué from the recent Euro - Arab Parliamentary Dialogue be circulated to Members.

4.GOAL:

Mr O’Shea’s presentation consisted of three parts:-

(i) Sudan:

The following steps need to be taken to solve the problems of Sudan, namely:-

-the need for the World’s powers to put resources into tackling the problem;

-the need for a permanent cessation of hostilities in the Civil War; and

-the need for the UN to assemble a proper logistical response team.

(ii) Great Lakes Region:

The need is for Ireland and the rest of the developed world to support Commissioner Bonino in her quest in investigating the whereabouts of an estimated 250,000 - 500,000 refugees in Rwanda and Zaire.

(iii) Irish Missionaries:

Irish missionaries have done invaluable work throughout the World but to continue to do it they should be given money directly by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

5.Any other business:

It was agreed that the Irish Mozambique Solidarity, who had written to Senator Lanigan, would be invited to make a presentation to the sub-Committee.

6.Adjournment:

The meeting adjourned sine dei at 5.15 p.m.

_______________

Mick Lanigan

Chairman.

Third Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

Sub-Committee on Development Co-operation

Proceedings of the Sub-Committee

Thursday, 17 September, 1998

1.The Sub-Committee met at 3.08 p.m. in Room G5, Kildare House.

2.The following members were present:

Senator Mick Lanigan (Chairman), Deputies Theresa Ahearn, Brendan Daly*, Prionsias de Rossa, Michael O’Kennedy, Brendan Smith and Senator Madeleine Taylor-Quinn.

* Deputy Daly substituted for Deputy Liam Aylward.

Deputies Billy Kelleher, Michael P. Kitt and Dick Roche also attended.

Apologies were received from Deputy Austin Deasy, Ms. Mary Banotti MEP and Mr. Alan Gillis MEP.

3.Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee of 22 July, 1998, were agreed by the Committee and signed by the Chairman.

4.Presentation by the Debt and Development Coalition on the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) of the IMF.

Ms. Jean Somers and Mr. Michael O’Sullivan of the Debt and Development Coalition addressed the Sub-Committee and began by welcoming the publication by the Government of a policy on debt and development issues although they were disappointed by the policy relating to ESAF. The visitors described ESAF as a concessional loan programme operated by the International Monetary Fund in which money is loaned to low income countries in return for very harsh adjustment programmes. In 1996 the Government had decided not to contribute to ESAF as a result of the cost-cutting programmes involved which result in the curtailment of basic services in the recipient countries. The Government has now decided to contribute to ESAF, Ms. Somers explained, so that Ireland will have a stronger voice in arguing for change. The Debt and Development Coalition takes the view that the Irish voice will be drowned out within ESAF and argues that there is a need for international opposition outside the Fund. Ms. Somers asked the Sub-Committee to urge the Government not to pay into ESAF until certain conditions are met. The operations of the IMF need to be democratised and control of the design of reform programmes needs to be returned to recipient countries. Mr. Michael O’Sullivan addressed the Sub-Committee on debt cancellation and the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPCI). The HIPCI had not been successful, he said, as it has been too slow and delivered too little. Mr. O’Sullivan believed that debt cancellation, governed by a fair and independent mechanism, was a more effective way of dealing with the debt problem. He cited Germany as a precedent for the success of debt cancellation, a case which disproved the argument that debt cancellation would work against the future economic viability of the countries involved. He stressed that human development should be a key element of efforts to deal with the debt problem. Mr. O’Sullivan urged the Sub-Committee to sign the Jubilee 2000 petition for debt cancellation and to ask the Government to press for changes in the HIPCI.

The Chairman thanked the visitors for their contribution and pointed out that the Government had taken steps to address the problems both in financial terms and in the enunciation of principles.

Members raised the question of profiteering by the international banking system and noted that the absence of pressures on the Government from such sources allowed it greater freedom to take a principled stance on the debt relief issue. The relative merits of pursuing debt relief within or outside ESAF were also considered.

5.Presentation by Irish Mozambique Solidarity.

Ms. Marie O’Haire and Mr. Niall Crowley of Irish Mozambique Solidarity addressed the Sub-Committee on the work of their organisation which is primarily concerned with creating awareness about Mozambique and related issues, generating links with aid agencies, governmental bodies and cultural institutions, and pursuing themes such as aid and democracy. The visitors stressed the importance of strengthening inter-parliamentary links between Ireland and Mozambique. The issues of debt and quality of aid were also addressed. The visitors welcomed the fact that Mozambique had become a priority country for Irish Aid and urged ongoing increases in the level of aid. New strategies such as the creation of a debt alleviation fund and co-operation with the government of Mozambique through the pooling by donors of funds were seen as positive steps. A code of practice should be introduced into Irish aid to encourage proofing against racism in the provision of aid generally. Debt was identified as the major block to development and progress in Mozambique. The visitors echoed the view that Ireland should not contribute to ESAF unless and until changes were made to the Fund. In the case of Mozambique, ESAF has helped to improve the macro-economic indicators but the experience on the ground has been devastating. The HIPCI is not adequate to alleviate Mozambique’s debt service payments: the initiative has not emerged as an exit strategy from the debt crisis but is just a management strategy for the present crisis. The visitors called for debt cancellation.

The Chairman thanked the delegation and asked that the Sub-Committee’s thanks be passed on to Irish aid workers. He suggested that the Sub-Committee meet within a month to deal further with the issue of debt relief in the context of the new principles set out by the Government.

6.Adjournment

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Sub-Committee would take place at 3 p.m. on Thursday, 8 October, 1998.

The meeting adjourned at 4.12 p.m.

Senator Mick Lanigan,

Chairman.

Third Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

Sub-Committee on Development Co-operation

Proceedings of the Sub-Committee

Thursday, 8 October, 1998

1.The Sub-Committee met at 3.08 p.m. in Room G5, Kildare House.

2.The following members were present:

Senator Mick Lanigan (Chairman), Deputies Liam Aylward and Austin Deasy and Senators Avril Doyle* and Madeleine Taylor-Quinn.

* Senator Doyle substituted for Senator Taylor-Quinn.

Senators Frank Chambers, John Connor, Michael Finneran and Rory Kiely also attended.

Apologies were received from Deputy Proinsias De Rossa and MEPs Brian Crowley, John Cushnahan, Alan Gillis and Joe McCartin.

3.Minutes

The minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee of 17 September, 1998, were agreed by the Committee and signed by the Chairman.

4.Presentation on the Situation in Angola by Mr. Isais Samakuva of UNITA.

Mr. Isais Samakuva of UNITA, a member of the Angolan National Assembly and its permanent commission, briefed the Sub-Committee on the deterioration in the politico-military situation in Angola. Mr. Samakuva outlined the history of the conflict in Angola and the nature of the agreement reached at Lusaka. UNITA had made considerable concessions in the agreement and had substantially fulfilled its obligations thereunder whereas the Government of Angola had not. In the view of the United Nations, UNITA was partly to blame for the deteriorating situation. However, proper consideration has not been given to the difficulties which UNITA faces, particularly with regard to the quartering of troops: UNITA has quartered 70,000 troops but is being held responsible for the continuing activity of renegades which are no longer under its control. The Government is hampering the activities of UNITA’s elected representatives and is pressurising its members into joining a splinter group called UNITA Renovated. Mr. Samakuva asked for assistance to protect his colleagues and to save the new democracy in Angola. In relation to funding of the Angolan Government by the European Union, Mr. Samakuva urged that it be investigated whether the money was being used properly and that the Government be pressurised into fulfilling its obligations.

The Chairman stressed that, ultimately, the only solution to the situation was for both sides to negotiate and pointed out that Angolan natural resources offered it the potential to be the wealthiest country in Africa. Senator Connor, who had been an observer at the Angolan elections, felt that they had been conducted fairly and asked what the UNITA leadership had done to initiate a bilateral peace process. The question of UNITA control of the diamond industry was also raised. The Chairman stressed the need not only to destroy existing landmines but to avoid re-mining.

5.Presentation by Mr. Tom Roche, Irish Woodworkers for Africa.

In view of the time spent on the discussion with Mr. Samakuva it was agreed to defer the presentation by Mr. Tom Roche. It was further agreed that Mr. Roche’s presentation would be scheduled as the first item to be taken at the next meeting. On behalf of the Sub-Committee, the Chairman expressed apologies to Mr. Roche for any inconvenience involved and thanked him for attending.

6.Adjournment

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Sub-Committee would take place before Thursday, 5 November, 1998.

The meeting adjourned at 4 p.m.

Senator Mick Lanigan,

Chairman.