Andrews to meet EU ministers today on aid for Kosovo refugees

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, will meet his European counterparts in Luxembourg today as the emphasis on aid for the Kosovo refugees moves from an airlift to humanitarian assistance for those remaining in the region.

Yesterday, a meeting of EU justice ministers in Luxembourg appeared to confirm the change in emphasis, although the Department of Justice said last night that the Government was still prepared to offer accommodation - especially to the elderly, infirm and children, until it was safe to return.

Meanwhile, the disbursement of £2 million in aid for Kosovan refugees announced by the Government at the weekend will give priority to agencies with a proven track record of rapid, effective assistance, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms Liz O'Donnell, said yesterday.

Speaking after a meeting with 10 Irish aid agencies, which was attended by Mr Andrews and representatives of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Ms O'Donnell said the cash would go towards providing food, shelter and medicines.

The aid agencies were asked to submit proposals to the Department saying how they would spend the money. According to Ms O'Donnell all charities would have to accept that the co-ordinating body for aid was the UNHCR. "Priority will be given to those agencies already located in the region who have a proven track record and a history of ability to deliver effectively in the quickest possible way."

Ms O'Donnell said the aid agencies saw the need for their efforts to be co-ordinated by the UNHCR. The Minister also said she did not want to get into a "Dutch auction" over the number of refugees which the Republic would take. No requests from the UNHCR had been made but the Government would respond generously to whatever requests were made, she added.

Following the meeting a spokeswoman for Trocaire, Ms Caroline Lynch, welcomed the £2 million aid package. "We feel that the Government's attitude had been developed from bringing one or two thousand refugees to keeping the refugees close to Kosovo."

But Ms Lynch said it seemed likely that the £2 million would come from the Government's overseas development budget. "It is right to give money but it is unfortunate that the taxpayers' donation should be used, and we would be happy if the Government demanded a reimbursement from NATO."

Mr David Begg of Concern said he was pleased that Mr Andrews indicated that there would be no delays in assessing proposals.

In another development Mr John O'Shea of the charity Goal has been told that his request for Irish Army officers to oversee the logistics of distributing aid to the refugees has been granted. Army officers had provided support for Goal aid efforts in Rwanda.

Mr O'Shea had asked the Department of Defence for four officers to oversee the operation but The Irish Times understands that as many as 40 have now volunteered. Their applications will be examined and the most suitable four will be selected.

The Labour Party spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, has described the plight of the refugees as "little more than an afterthought" on the part of NATO which, he said, had expended millions of pounds and massive resources on the bombing campaign. He called for an immediate end to air strikes and the reopening of talks.

A number of communities are also sending lorries of supplies to the Balkans with the aid agency Cradle organising a convoy which will leave Ireland at the end of April. Cradle has appealed for dried food, soap, toothpaste and Sudocream as well as cash. Cradle can be contacted at 679 5242.

However, the Fine Gael spokesman for foreign affairs, Mr Gay Mitchell, has warned there "appears to be a duplication of effort, advertising and other costs. The aid agencies should unite in their concerted efforts, an initiative I for one would warmly applaud and support," he added.