Written Answers. - Peacekeeping Operations.
Desmond J. O'Malley
Ceist:
103
Mr. O'Malley
asked the
asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, in view of the widespread bloodshed and suffering being inflicted on many people in both Bosnia and Rwanda, if he will urge both the United Nations and the European Union to intervene more fully and more effectively in these two countries in order to alleviate the suffering; and if he will recommend to the Government that Irish troops be deployed as part of a multilateral force in each of those countries to enforce peace there. [
In my replies to earlier questions to-day, I had the opportunity to set out in detail the objectives which the Government is pursuing with regard to Bosnia and Rwanda.
From the beginning of the conflict in former Yugoslavia, the European Union and its member states, together with the United Nations, have been deeply involved in the search for a negotiated settlement, in helping on the ground to create the climate for negotiations, and in the alleviation of the suffering of displaced persons and other victims of the conflict. The European Union and its member states are the main contributors to the international relief operation in former Yugoslavia, having provided over 690 MECU to the international relief effort. This includes 65 per cent of the funding required to date by the UNHCR.
Ireland fully supports an active and effective engagement by both the European Union and the United Nations in Bosnia and elsewhere in former Yugoslavia.
The peace process is being pursued through the International Conference on Former Yugoslavia which is co-chaired by the European Union and the United Nations. Its Contact Group is playing a leading role in the current efforts to secure a settlement in Bosnia.
The some 40,000 strong UN Protection Force, UNPROFOR, is the largest UN peacekeeping operation ever deployed. EU member states are contributing 14,500 personnel to UNPROFOR, which is playing a vital role in dampening the conflict, promoting local ceasefires, protecting the vital aid convoys which bring assistance to the 2.3 million displaced persons, and in providing protection to those in the beleaguered towns and enclaves. I very much welcome the fact that UNPROFOR's mandate was recently renewed by the Security Council.
Ireland is playing its part fully in the efforts on the ground in former Yugoslavia to promote peace and assist the victims of conflict. Thirty Defence Forces personnel and Garda Síochána are serving with UNPROFOR and a further four have been assigned to the International Conference Mission which is monitoring the closure of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's border with the Bosnian Serb-held lands. Six Defence Forces personnel are serving with the EC Monitor Mission and a further two with the EC Humanitarian Aid Task Force. Two customs officers are working with the CSCE Sanctions Assistance Mission in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Recent developments in Bosnia hold out the prospects for peace. If an overall settlement is secured, I expect that the Security Council will consider what role UNPROFOR might play in implementation. Should the Secretary-General approach Ireland in this regard, the Government will give his request careful consideration.
In regard to Rwanda I would first say that in my statement to the UN General Assembly on 28 September I made several recommendations which were designed to achieve a more effective response from the UN towards preventing and dealing with situations similar to the horror of Rwanda. These sought to improve the capabilities of the UN in areas such as early warning and mediation, peacekeeping, the human rights area, international criminal law, the causes of conflicts and control of traffic in arms.
Ireland has played a strong role in urging EU involvement in Rwanda — for instance it was at Ireland's instigation that the recent EU troika mission was sent to Rwanda and the neighbouring countries. From that visit, the recently approved EU common position on Rwanda evolved.
In Rwanda at present the UNAMIR peacekeeping force has nearly reached its authorised level of 5,500 troops. Over 60 Defence Forces personnel are working in a voluntary capacity with the UNHCR and with the Irish aid agencies. There is no proposal before the UN Security Council to alter the mandate of UNAMIR to that of a peace enforcement mission.
