asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, if, in the light of Ireland's involvement in the Lebanon with the UNIFIL force, he considers it apropriate for Ireland to be involved in diplomatic sanctions against any state or states of the region.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - UNIFIL Force in Lebanon.
21.
The Government share the profound concerns of their European partners at recent acts of international terrorism. Within the Twelve, we have participated in the endeavour to develop an agreed European strategy designed to assist in the eradication of this evil which threatens the citizens of all our states. In this connection, the Twelve have made it clear that states which sponsor or support terrorism cannot expect to have normal relations with them.
This approach is a political one aimed at discouraging any involvement by any state in acts of terrorism. The measures elaborated in this context have been taken after careful consideration and are proportionate, appropriate and in accordance with international law. The Twelve have also emphasised, within the framework of their political approach, that they stand ready to co-operate with all concerned states in the effort to defeat terrorism.
The UNIFIL operation in South Lebanon is one which is mandated by the Security Council of the United Nations which has frequently called upon all the parties concerned to co-operate fully with the force for the implementation of their mandate. The Government are of the view that UNIFIL are entitled to such co-operation and that in particular they are entitled to the full support and co-operation of all the states in the region.
Does the Minister consider that Ireland, as a contrbutor to the UNIFIL contingent, must maintain good relations with all states in the Middle East region involved in the Lebanon? Does he agree that to single out one state for sanctions could be prejudicial to the exercise of the UNIFIL mission?
I accept that we must maintain good relations with all countries in the area but my remarks are not inconsistent with the Irish stance against terrorism which is a very important part of our role.
Deputy Power rose.
Supplementaries on Priority Questions are confined to the Deputy who asks them.
Does the Minister consider that, in the light of glaring inconsistencies in the approach to international terrorism by one or more Western countries, including the breach of sanctions, our Government and other EC Governments should at least suspend any such sanctions until there is full clarification of what has been going on?
The European Minister are trying to adopt a uniform approach to terrorism, not just among themselves, but also embracing other countries. The fight against terrorism has been expanded to the Council of Europe with the intention of speaking to the Arab League and the Gulf States so that as many countries as possible will be involved in the fight against international terrorism. It is one of the major plagues of the eighties and it is appalling to think that people cannot travel by boat or aeroplane without the danger of being blown up. We must all combine to fight terrorism although I am not suggesting that anybody in the House disagrees with me.
Would the Minister give his views on the immediate short term future role of the UNIFIL forces, in particular the Irish section of that force, in South Lebanon?
The mandate drawn up by the Security Council is about eight years old and, at the time, the Government were invited to contribute troops to the peace-keeping force whose primary aims were to restore government to South Lebanon and to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops. Clearly, neither of those parts of the mandate have been fulfilled. There is less stable government in the Lebanon now than before and the Israelis are still there. However, UNIFIL have brought stability to South Lebanon in the only part of the country where they operate. This position is kept constantly under review, especially when the mandate is being renewed by the Government. It may be argued that the mandate has not been fulfilled but the force are performing a useful function in the area which has dictated the Government's policy of renewing the mandate each time.
It has been a very difficult period there over the summer because of increased instability in South Lebanon. As the House knows, one of our officers was killed and there were continual snipings and attacks on UNIFIL forces in July and August. Happily, these attacks are less frequent although the French indicated over the last 24 hours that they intend to withdraw some of their forces when their mandate comes up for renewal in January. Our Government will have to examine this matter because the probability is that we may be asked to contribute more troops. Without wishing to pr-empt the Government's decision that would be quite a difficult thing for us to do. We will have to examine the last six months in Lebanon very carefully including the decision of the French Forces to withdraw some of their force and the failure, I use that word advisedly, of the Security Council to finance the force as had been undertaken by them when the force were set up in 1978. These are matters which the Government will have to consider between now and January. I do not want to pre-empt the decision the Government may come to.