Billy Timmins
Question:106 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on his recent trip to Irish troops serving abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8790/00]
Written Answers. - Official Engagements.
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:109 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on his visit over the St Patrick's day period to Irish troops serving with UNIFIL in the Lebanon. [8797/00]
Deirdre Clune
Question:120 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Defence to report on his recent visit to South Lebanon. [8858/00]
Jim Higgins
Question:159 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on his recent visit to Irish UN personnel serving in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8788/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 109, 120 and 159 together.
I visited Irish troops and military observers serving with the United Nations in Lebanon and Syria during the period 14 to 19 March 2000. I was accompanied by the chief of staff and the secretary general of the Department. I briefed my Cabinet colleagues on my return on Tuesday, 21 March 2000. The main purpose of my visit was to observe at first hand the work of Irish military personnel serving in the region and to assure them, on behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, how proud we are of the outstanding manner in which they have consistently performed their duties on United Nations service. I also wanted to express my sympathy and that of the Government following the recent tragic deaths of Privates Lawlor, Fitzpatrick, Murphy and Deere in a traffic accident on 14 February 2000.
During the course of my visit to Lebanon, I met with the Lebanese Prime Minister, Dr. Selim Hoss, the Lebanese Chief of Staff and Commander in Chief of the Lebanese Army, General Michel Suleyman, the UNIFIL Force Commander Major General Obeng and Deputy Force Commander Brigadier General, James Sreenan, who is a member of the Defence Forces, as well as other local representatives and dignitaries. During the course of these meetings I reiterated my concern for the safety of Irish troops in the event of a unilateral withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Israeli occupied area in South Lebanon. It will be recalled that the level of their casualties in Lebanon led the Israeli Government to declare its intention to withdraw unilaterally from Lebanon by July 2000. A disorderly Israeli withdrawal without the agreement of the Lebanese and Syrian Governments could create difficulties for the UNIFIL contingent in Lebanon. This scenario could call for a revision of the role of UNIFIL in a post withdrawal situation.
I also indicated that while Ireland would wish to maintain a commitment to UNIFIL until such time as its mandate was discharged, I nevertheless stressed the fact that the safety of Irish troops was of paramount concern to me and to the Government. Should the situation prevail where the safety of Defence Force personnel was seriously compromised, there may be no option but to withdraw them. The emerging situation is being followed closely by the United Nations. Ireland and other UNIFIL troop contributing states are considering, in consultation with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations of the UN in New York, the implications of the various scenarios attendant on Israeli withdrawal. I will continue to keep the matter under close review in consultation with the military authorities and the Department of Foreign Affairs with particular regard to likely developments in the post-July 2000 situation. While I was in Lebanon, it was reported that Prime Minister Barak favoured a full withdrawal south of the international border between Israel and Lebanon, thus complying with UN Resolution 425 of March 1978. I was heartened to hear of this development.
While in Lebanon, I again raised the issue of the disappearance of Pte. Joyce in 1981, both in conversation with local representatives of the Muktars, and with the Lebanese media, and I appealed for any information which might bring this sad chapter to a close.
In all of the discussions that I had, there was consistent praise for Irish troops and a desire that they should continue in service in South Lebanon. I was greatly impressed, as always, by the commitment of all our troops in the Middle East to the important work they are undertaking in the cause of international peace.
I also visited Damascus, Syria, where I met with the Syrian Defence Minister, Lieutenant General Mustafa Tlass who briefed me on recent developments on the Israeli-Syrian track of the Middle East peace process. While there, I met with Irish personnel serving with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation. There are currently ten personnel serving with UNTSO in the Middle East.