Michael Bell
Question:103 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on his visit to Irish troops serving with KFOR in Kosovo. [13774/01]
Written Answers - Official Engagements.
On 28 March 2001 I visited Kosovo where I met with Irish troops serving with the fourth Irish contingent – transport company – KFOR. KFOR was established under UN Security Council Resolution 1244 on 10 June 1999, acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. The resolution, among other things, authorised the establishment and deployment of an international security presence in Kosovo with all necessary means to fulfil its responsibilities.
I was accompanied on my visit to Kosovo by the Secretary General of the Department of Defence and the Chief of Staff. The primary purpose of my visit was to see at first hand the work of the Irish military personnel serving in the region and to convey to them, on behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, the deep appreciation felt regarding the outstanding manner in which they continue to perform their duties on overseas service. I saw again how the hearts of Irish soldiers are touched by the humanitarian catastrophe which is prevalent in Kosovo. Since the Irish troops set up Camp Clarke in Pristina they have raised funds to rebuild the homes of several families. I am delighted to have been in a position to make a grant of £10,000 towards such suitable projects. I regard Irish participation in KFOR as an important and practical expression of our ongoing commitment to peacekeeping in general and to the cause of peace and stability in Kosovo. Furthermore, it responds to the foreign policy priority of staying in the mainstream of peacekeeping at a time when the UN is increasingly turning to regional solutions for peacekeeping.