Vol. 399 No. 11
11 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if he will give details of the current outstanding reimbursable entitlements from the United Nations due to this country in respect of the participation by personnel of the Defence Forces on peace-keeping organisations both in the Lebanon and Cyprus.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.
The ten Panhard armoured personnel carriers which were recently returned to this country from Lebanon are at present undergoing technical examination to determine the refurbishment necessary to make them fully operational. Pending completion of that examination, negotiations have not taken place as to the financial adjustments to be made with the United Nations. Eight of the vehicles were purchased in 1973 and two in 1972.
As at 31 May, 1990 a total shortfall of about £18.1 million in reimbursable entitlements from the United Nations had accumulated in respect of participation by personnel of the Defence Forces in peace-keeping operations in Lebanon and Cyprus. Of this amount £17.4 million relates to involvement in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon since May, 1978. The remaining shortfall of £0.7 million arises out of participation in the United Nations Force in Cyprus which commenced in April, 1964.
Does the Minister not accept that the huge outstanding reimbursable entitlements from the United Nations to this country is totally unacceptable? What action has he taken to correct that position?
We have taken action through the Department of Foreign Affairs who have a permanent representative at the United Nations. There are indications that the repayments will be expedited in the near future. The deficiencies arose because of the lack of support from the two major powers — the Soviet Union and the United States. They have now agreed to meet their commitments and they are paying back, in the way of reimbursement, what they owe in very substantial sums. The process of repayment mainly from these two powers has started; not repayment as such but dues they owe. They owe the money to the United Nations and have refrained from giving that money over a long period of years for policy reasons regarding UN intervention. That policy disagreement has been settled and they are now in the process of starting to reimburse what they have omitted to pay over the years.
This payment by the two major forces has been outstanding for a number of years. During that time have we continued to pay our share? Is it envisaged that the cost of the return of the ten Panhard vehicles will be offset against the payment already due to this country? The Minister said the actual details are not yet available but he must also take into consideration the age of the vehicles.
Whatever sum is arising will be set against moneys which they owe us so that, in effect, it will cost us nothing in terms of payment now. We will set that off against the debt which we are owed by the United Nations. That is quite clear and has been agreed. Of course there is a substantial balance outstanding but the two major powers, who refrained from meeting their obligations during the years, have now begun paying this. This was the policy adopted by these two powers with regard to the United Nations peacekeeping operations but they have begun to remedy this matter in the light of the thaw which has taken place during the last 12 months. They are now meeting their commitments which have been met by all other member countries of the United Nations.
