Vol. 521 No. 3
5 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in southern Lebanon; and if he will report on any discussions the Government has had with the UN concerning the Irish peacekeeping presence in the area. [16904/00]
Israel has announced that its forces completely evacuated Lebanese territory by 24 May in conformity with UN security resolutions 425 and 426. A number of incidents took place during the Israeli withdrawal and in its immediate aftermath. Since then, the situation has remained relatively calm and appears to be stabilising. Hizbollah has not taken aggressive action against Israel and has been behaving with restraint. United Nations verification teams are moving through heavily-mined areas in southern Lebanon to determine whether Israel has withdrawn in accordance with Security Council resolutions 425 and 426, following which the Lebanese Government will be able to restore its effective authority in the area. So far, the preparations of the Lebanese Government for this appear to be moving slowly. We look forward to the Lebanese Government fully resuming its responsibilities. Both Lebanon and Syria have stated their support for the role of the UN in southern Lebanon following the withdrawal.
From the time of the announcement in early April by the Israeli Government that it intended to withdraw from Lebanon, I was particularly anxious to register with the UN the Government's concern about the safety and security of our personnel serving with UNIFIL. I wrote in this regard on 17 April to the Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan. During my visit to the UN on 24 and 25 April, I met the Deputy Secretary General, Ms Louise Fréchette, and senior officials of the UN departments of peacekeeping operations and political affairs to discuss this issue. I emphasised the absolute priority the Government attaches to the safety and security of our troops. I was assured by the Deputy Secretary General that the UN shares our concerns for the safety and security of all UN personnel in southern Lebanon and that the UN is fully committed to sharing all information with troop contributing countries. This assurance has been honoured in the weeks since Israel's withdrawal.
I have instructed our permanent representative to the United Nations in New York to liaise closely with the UN secretariat to ensure that the Government is kept fully informed. The UN department of peacekeeping operations holds meetings with the troop contributing countries on an ongoing basis, and our permanent mission to the UN attends these meetings. I am also keeping in touch with other Governments with a particular interest in the situation and I have had discussions with my opposite numbers from the United States and France among others. The Minister for Defence is also monitoring the situation very closely.
The United Nations, in the context of the Israeli withdrawal, has asked all troop contributing countries to reinforce their contingents. On 30 May, in response to this request, the Government decided to deploy an additional 50 Defence Forces personnel with the 87th Infantry Battalion in UNIFIL until the end of its tour of duty in October 2000. Such deployment is to take place on receipt of satisfactory assurances concerning the safety of the UNIFIL mission. It was also decided to assign an engineer party comprising 60 personnel, together with necessary equipment, to undertake essential construction work in the IRISHBATT area of operations should the exigencies of the operational situation so require. Other troop contributing countries have also indicated that they await firm security guarantees before deploying additional personnel.
The Secretary General will shortly furnish the Security Council with a report based on the second visit to the region by his special envoy. An important aspect of this report will be future co-operation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese authorities in implementing the later parts of the mandate. The report should also address the key issues of safety and security for UNIFIL personnel. The special envoy, Mr. Roed-Larsen, has indicated that all parties have pledged full co-operation with the UN.
It is correct to say that Ireland has one of the largest battalions serving in UNIFIL in Lebanon and has certainly the longest serving one. Has the Government considered withdrawing Irish troops from Lebanon?
No. The Government is monitoring the situation as a result of the Israeli with drawal from south Lebanon. It hopes that the Irish battalion will be able to continue its operations there so that the completion of the mandate under resolutions 425 and 427 can be completed. It would indicate our full involvement since 1978 in what has been a 22 year process. In the absence of any security issues arising for the safety of our personnel, we would not only seek to ensure that our existing deployment would continue but would also be prepared to add to it based on a report providing us with certain guarantees for their security. We expect such a report in the next few days from Mr. Roed-Larsen who has returned from his second visit to that area having visited Syria, Lebanon, Israel and other interested parties.
Will the Minister assure the House that every possible step is being taken to ensure the safety of Irish troops there and will he indicate what they are? Given that there has been an increase – the Minister outlined figures of 60 additional troops and some engineering staff – and given the Israeli withdrawal, is it intended to increase our presence in Lebanon further?
No, it is intended that the 50 additional Defence Forces personnel and the 60 engineering personnel, along with the necessary back-up equipment, will be deployed to the Irish battalion area to supplement the existing deployment there upon receipt of a report by us and our obtaining certain adequate guarantees concerning the safety of the people it is proposed would supplement our existing deployment. The fundamental consideration and paramount issue of successive Governments regarding our involvement in the UNIFIL project has been the safety of our personnel. While it is relatively calm at present and although one cannot predict what will happen in a military situation, all reasonable assurances can be given by the Government. I have indicated in reply to the main question the proactive steps which have been taken by me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Defence in keeping a close eye on this situation.
