Vol. 495 No. 7
210 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the number of military personnel, if any, Ireland has agreed to supply to the proposed United Nations mission to Kosovo; their job description; and the period for which they will take up duty. [21971/98]
It is presumed that the mission the Deputy is referring to is the Kosovo Verification Mission established by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE. UN Security Council Resolution 1203 of 24 October 1998 welcomed the signing of the agreement between the OSCE Chairman in Office and the Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to establish the OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission.
Detailed plans are still being prepared by the OSCE in Vienna on all organisational aspects of the mission, including personnel requirements. Ireland is currently contributing expert personnel — including one military officer who is serving with the OSCE in Vienna — to the OSCE's special planning unit dedicated to this task. Ireland has indicated its readiness, in principle, to contribute to the verification mission. The precise size and composition of Ireland's contribution will depend on the needs of the mission, which are currently being identified by the OSCE, as well as the availability of resources. The mission will be unarmed and of a civilian character.
