Written Answers. - UNIFIL Forces.
Mervyn Taylor
Question:
85
Mr. Taylor
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
if he will give details of the main armed militias in Lebanon; the principal areas of operation of each; the foreign country, if any, which backs each such militia; the military and political objectives of each such militia; if he will give an assessment of the continuing role of and increased risk to UNIFIL forces in light of the incidents which took place on 21 February 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Mervyn Taylor
Question:
86
Mr. Taylor
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the foreign countries which have troops stationed in Lebanon; the estimated strength in men and armour of each such force; the areas of Lebanon where such forces are located; the length of time such forces have been there; if he will give an assessment of the military and political objectives in Lebanon of such foreign countries; if he will give an assessment of the implications for UNIFIL of such forces in Lebanon; whether the Government have called for or will call for the withdrawal from Lebanon of all foreign forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Mervyn Taylor
Question:
87
Mr. Taylor
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the action he has taken or intends to take regarding the attack on soldiers of the Irish battalion of UNIFIL in Lebanon on 21 February 1990 by the Syrian backed Amal militia; if he will lodge a protest with the Syrian Government in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 to 87, inclusive, together. On 21 February 1990, a patrol of the Irish batalion serving with UNIFIL was fired on near Haddathah village by members of the local Amal militia. Three Irish soldiers suffered gunshot wounds. The patrol showed maximum restraint, but was obliged to return fire because of the grave threat to life as their assailants continued to fire. Two of their assailants were fatally injured.
Immediate steps were taken at every level to defuse the situation. The soldiers' commanding officer immediately made contact locally with Amal, who promised full support in restoring the situation to normal. The Irish battalion was put on a state of alert as a precaution against retaliatory attacks. UNIFIL officials also met with Amal leaders, including the commander of the two who were killed. Amal stated that they regretted the incident, which was not planned or authorised, and that their policy towards UNIFIL was unchanged. It is clear that there is a strong desire on all sides to maintain the traditionally good relations between Amal and UNIFIL, and particularly between Amal and the Irish Battalion.
Contact with the family of the two who died, who were brothers, has been established with a view to further reducing tension in the area.
We are in continuous contact with the UN in New York through our mission there in order to underline our paramount concern for the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and to express our support for any measures considered necessary to maintain and improve current levels of safety and security. The UN Secretary General has stated his concern at the incident. He has expressed his appreciation for the manner in which the Irish soldiers performed and for their restraint.
Troubling incidents of this nature are invariably raised through diplomatic channels with the appropriate authorities. In this instance, the matter has been discussed with the Syrian authorities and the importance of ensuring the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel was underlined.
With regard to the Deputy's other questions, the Government have repeatedly called for the withdrawal of all foreign forces, except UNIFIL, from Lebanon. I refer the Deputy to my address to the United Nations General Assembly on 29 September 1989. The report of the Secretary General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon for the period 22 July 1989 to 25 January 1990 contains an assessment of the situation in the UNIFIL area of operation in southern Lebanon, including reference to the activities of armed militias and foreign forces. I have arranged for the report to be lodged in the Dáil library. As the activities of armed militias and foreign forces in other parts of Lebanon do not affect UNIFIL, the other details requested by the Deputy are not pertinent to the continuing role of UNIFIL.
