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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 5

Written Answers. - Overseas Missions.

Ulick Burke

Question:

26 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Defence the implications for the Defence Forces serving in the Lebanon in view of the deterioration of the political situation there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4609/00]

Members of the Defence Forces have been deployed for service with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) since 1978. Six hundred Defence Forces personnel are currently serving with the Irish contingent UNIFIL.

I would like to express my most sincere sympathy and that of my colleagues in Government to the families and relatives of Privates Lawlor, Fitzpatrick, Murphy and Deere who so tragically lost their lives on Monday morning in a traffic accident while serving with the 86th Irish Battalion in Lebanon. I would also like to express sympathy to the other Defence Forces personnel who were injured in the accident and to wish them a speedy recovery.

The UNIFIL mandate is reviewed by the United Nations Security Council every six months following a report by the secretary general of the United Nations. UN Security Council Resolution 1288 of 31 January 2000 has extended the mandate of UNIFIL for a further period of six months, i.e. until 31 July 2000.

On 12 October 1999 the Government approved the provision of a replacement contingent to UNIFIL comprising approximately 620 personnel all ranks for a six month period beginning 20 October 1999. The Government decision also allowed for preparations to be made for the selection, training and equipping of a further contingent of approximately 620 personnel all ranks to provide for the possibility of Ireland's continued participation in the UNIFIL peace-keeping force beyond January 2000 in the event of the further extension of the UNIFIL mandate. The approval of Government will be sought soon in relation to the continuation of participation by the Irish contingent in UNIFIL from April 2000, when the current contingent will be due to return home.

With regard to the Middle East peace process, I note with regret that the negotiation to conclude a framework agreement on permanent status issues have not been completed by the target date of 13 February. I also view with concern the escalation of violence in the region. I hope that the parties will resume negotiations on the permanent status talks without delay.

The level of their casualties in Lebanon led the Israeli Government to declare its intention to withdraw unilaterally from Lebanon if no agreement is reached with Syria. This could be as early as April. A disorderly Israeli withdrawal without the agreement of the Lebanese and Syrian governments could create difficulties for the UNIFIL contingent in Lebanon.

Also, the position of the Israeli backed South Lebanese Army after any Israeli withdrawal remains to be clarified. This scenario could call for the possibility of a revision of the role of UNIFIL for a post-withdrawal situation.
Developments in the coming months may give a clearer indication as to what role UNIFIL would have after the re-establishment of Lebanese sovereignty over its territory. In this regard indications are that the Lebanese authorities would seek a reinforcement of UNIFIL until such time as its function could be undertaken by the Lebanese army.
I visited the area from 20-22 June 1999 to seek assurances from both the Israeli and Lebanese sides that the reckless shelling of IRISHBATT positions by the Israeli Defence Force/De Facto Forces (IDF/DFF) which led to the death of Private Kedian in May 1999 would not recur. I indicated to both sides that, while Ireland is committed to the UNIFIL mission, should there not be a cessation of such incidents, serious consideration would have to be given by the Government to the withdrawal of the Irish contingent.
While there have been no major incidents in recent months the security situation in the UNIFIL area of operations continues to be relatively tense. I visited UNIFIL again from 20-24 September 1999 and found the situation to be calmer than in the earlier part of the year.
There are no plans to alter the present level of Defence Forces commitment to UNIFIL.
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