Written Answers. - Ireland's Role in Somalia.
Paul Bradford
Question:
54
Mr. Bradford
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs
if Ireland's role in Somalia will alter in any way when, as expected, all foreign troops with the exception of Ireland's will have been withdrawn by the end of March approximately.
Seán Barrett
Question:
62
Mr. Barrett
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs
if Ireland's role in Somalia will alter in any way when, as expected, all foreign troops with the exception of Ireland's will have been withdrawn by the end of March approximately.
Nora Owen
Question:
94
Mrs. Owen
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs
if Ireland's role in Somalia will alter in anyway when, as expected, all foreign troops with the exception of Ireland's will be withdrawn by the end of March approximately.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 62 and 94 together.
No change is envisaged in the role of the Irish contingent serving with UNOSOM II in Somalia when a number of the other contingents serving there are withdrawn by the end of this month. The Irish contingent, which has been deployed in the Baidoa area since September 1993, will be rotated within the next few days, having completed its six-month tour of duty, and will be replaced by a further contingent of similar size which is also due to serve with UNOSOM II for six months to September this year. Both the current contingent, and its replacement, will be engaged on the same tasks, namely, the provision of essential supplies, fuel, food and water, to the other military components of UNOSOM II. It also assists in the movement of the stores and equipment of units which are deploying or redeploying in the mission area. In addition, the Irish contingent assists the Irish aid agencies Concern and Goal as well as other humanitarian agencies.
The Government's decision to maintain Ireland's participation in the Somalia operation was announced on 22 February and follows on the Security Council's unanimous decision of 4 February to maintain UNOSOM II in Somalia with a revised mandate. While still within the terms of Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the revised mandate is much closer than its predecessor to the consensual approach of traditional UN peace-keeping. This change of emphasis — away from peace enforcement and towards peacekeeping, and with greater reliance being placed on the co-operation of the Somali parties — is a welcome development. It is my view that UN peace enforcement and peacekeeping missions must be conducted within an overall political framework and that every opportunity to promote reconciliation must be exploited. It is my hope that the revised mandate for UNOSOM II will serve to strengthen that approach in Somlia.
The Government's decision to maintain our participation in Somalia is a reaffirmation that we are prepared to uphold the role of the UN, even in difficult and complex situations. The UN Secretary-General has determined that without the stabilising presence of an adequate UN force, there would be an early resumption of civil strife and an unravelling of all that has been achieved in Somalia. I share his assessment.
In reaching its decision, the Government was mindful of the paramount consideration of the safety and security of Irish personnel serving with UNOSOM II. Particular attention was paid to the latest security assessment provided by my colleague, the Minister for Defence, following his discussions with senior UN officials in New York last month, and to the visit of the Chief of Staff to Somalia shortly before the decision was taken. The Government also took into account the declared intention of a number of countries, mainly Western, to withdraw their contingents from the force by the end of this month. Despite the uncertainty about the future which their departure has given rise to, it is important to note that UNOSOM II will continue to be a large UN operation. The United Nations estimate is that the strength of the force will be in excess of 20,000 personnel, contributed by 19 countries, once the withdrawals have taken place next month.
It is the Government's intention to keep the situation in Somalia under thorough and ongoing review. The House will have a further opportunity to consider the situation in the context of the report by the Minister for Defence to the Dáil pursuant to the terms of section 4 of the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1993. In addition, I intend to keep the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs advised of any notable developments in relation to Ireland's continued participation in Somalia.
