Vol. 461 No. 1
21 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government have received a request from the United Nations to provide peacekeeping troops in Bosnia; if so, the response from the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2404/96]
The involvement of the United Nations in peacekeeping in Bosnia and Herzegovina is now limited to its civilian police operation, the International Police Task Force, with a strength of 1,721 police observers. The Government was approached by the UN in December to make a contribution to this task force. On 9 January, the Government decided to make available an Assistant Garda Commissioner, Peter Fitzgerald, as Commissioner of the task force. He has since travelled to Sarajevo and assumed his duties there. The question of providing a contingent of Garda to the force is being considered by the Government.
With regard to military peacekeeping operations, the Deputy will be aware that UNPROFOR — the United Nations Protection Force in Bosnia — to which Ireland made available a number of military observers, is no longer in existence. The UN Security Council has authorised a coalition of member states to form the International Implementation Force — IFOR — which is now tasked with implementation of military aspects of the peace agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ireland has not been requested to participate in this force.
The Government is, however, determined to make a significant practical contribution to implementation of the peace agreement on the ground in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition to commitments with the International Police Task Force, the Government is currently providing 18 personnel, including 17 members of the Permanent Defence Force to the European Community Monitor Mission in former Yugoslavia. The number of personnel deployed with this mission will be increased to more than 80 during Ireland's Presidency of the EU later this year.
The Government is also making available members of the Permanent Defence Force to the mission of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe — OSCE — in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This mission is tasked with organising elections in Bosnia and Hercegovina and will be assisted in this regard by the European Community Monitor Mission which I have just mentioned. Irish Defence Forces personnel are also currently active with the European Community humanitarian assistance task force and the border-monitoring mission of the International Conference on Former Yugoslavia which plays an important role in implementing sanctions against the Serb-held territories of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
I heard a disturbing report yesterday of the number of trained policemen available in Bosnia to the effect that of the total number required — 1,700 — to date 300 only qualified or properly trained policemen have been made available by various Governments. The Tánaiste referred to increased involvement by Ireland. Is he worried at the lack of commitment on the part of member states to provide the requisite number of trained policemen?
Within the constraints of personnel available, we will make every effort to send police officers to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Government has considered this matter. It was honoured to be requested to send Assistant Garda Commissioner, Peter Fitzgerald, to head the police force there and has agreed to send additional policemen. There is always concern with regard to the availability of police and troops for these missions but, having regard to the mission and the tasks imposed on it, it is important that the 1,721 police observers be in situ as quickly as possible.
While being honoured that Assistant Commissioner Fitzgerald is leading the police presence in Bosnia, will the Tánaiste inform the House how many Garda officers will be sent arising from the Government decision to which he referred?
The figure is 17, to rise to 30.
Arising from the question on peacekeeping troops and police in Bosnia, is the Tánaiste aware that a significant number of Bosnian citizens are still in Serbian custody, notwithstanding the Dayton agreement and subsequent arrangements? These men appear to be still in danger and their position seems to have been neglected. Could the Tánaiste arrange that police and other peacekeeping troops, as a matter of priority, seek the release of these people, most of whom are refugees from Srebrenica and Zepa?
I am aware of the situation the Deputy described. The European Union has made it very clear that we want refugees returned and allowed to go back to their place of residence. That has been the consistent policy of the European Union. I am not sure if there is a role for our police officers but it is certainly a matter which I can take up with the Departments of Justice and Defence.
On the point raised by Deputy O'Malley, there were reports of massacres at the time of the Seb take-over of Srebrenica after the Dutch peace-keepers left. Those reports have been confirmed in the last few days and we have seen horrendous photographs and pictures on television. Is it intended that the EU or the UN will reopen the investigation into the departure of the troops from Srebrenica and the abandonment of the men of Srebrenica to the worst the Serbs could do to them?
I have not heard of any intention to reopen the matter of the departure of the Dutch troops from Srebrenica. However, as the Deputy is aware, there is a UN Commissioner on the ground who at this stage has started her investigation. She will provide the UN with a full report and one will then be in a better position to judge what needs to be done.
There was an internal Dutch investigation. Does the Tánaiste agree that such an investigation should be carried out so this type of incident can never be allowed happen again in an area where the blue helmets are operating?
It is most important that the UN Special Commissioner has the opportunity to carry out an investigation and she will seek the co-operation of people on the ground. Once that report is to hand we will see what lessons can be learnt from what happened on that occasion. We will also see what action is necessary to ensure it does not happen in the future.
