Vol. 571 No. 2
121 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's view of the recent Liberian peace agreement; if a request has been received from the United Nations for Irish participation in the new UN peace mission to Liberia; if it is intended to agree to the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21089/03]
The Government greatly welcomes the comprehensive peace agreement signed by the Liberian parties on 19 August. The agreement provides for an end to the civil war and sets out a road-map towards the holding of national elections in 2005. It also provides for a transitional government to take office on 14 October and serve until a new government is installed following the elections.
The agreement, which gives the people of Liberia the first real hope of peace in many years, was the culmination of a number of important factors.
Regional pressure exerted by members of ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, resulted in agreement by the Liberian parties on a ceasefire agreement and on facilitating vital humanitarian aid. The Security Council, in response to an urgent request from Secretary General Annan, agreed on 1 August to authorise the deployment of a multinational force to Liberia, comprised of troops from members of ECOWAS troops with US logistical assistance. It was envisaged that this force would shortly be replaced by a UN peacekeeping mission.
ECOWAS activity, with the support of the United States, also secured the departure into exile in Nigeria of President Charles Taylor on 8 August. This was a vital development. For a number of years, the Taylor regime sponsored the notoriously violent Revolutionary United Front rebel movement in Sierra Leone. As a member of the Security Council in 2001-02, Ireland was a strong supporter of the very effective UN peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone and the targeted UN sanctions which restricted President Taylor's capacity to finance such rebel activity. In Liberia itself, the Taylor presidency was characterised by large-scale human rights abuse and the rampant exploitation of the country's natural resources for private gain.
On 19 September, in Resolution 1509, the UN Security Council established a UN peacekeeping operation for Liberia, UNMIL, consisting of up to 15,000 military personnel. Under the resolution, UNMIL is mandated, among other things, to observe and monitor the comprehensive ceasefire agreement; to protect, within its capabilities, civilians under imminent threat of violence; to support the provision of humanitarian assistance; to help promote human rights; and to support generally the implementation of the peace process. A particularly important element of UNMILs mandate is to assist in the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration into society of the members of armed groups, a great many of whom are minors and indeed children. The provision of education and vocational training will be a vital part of this process.
From the outset of the planning of this mission, the United Nations secretariat, at its most senior levels, has expressed to the Government a strong interest in Ireland's participation. This reflects the esteem in which Ireland's Permanent Defence Force is held for its peacekeeping skills and experience. Intensive consultations took place with the UN secretariat on the nature of an Irish contribution, should a decision be made to participate.
The Government is of the view that the deployment of UNMIL is critically important in supporting the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement and for the political and economic recovery of Liberia. Furthermore, it will contribute to the consolidation of peace and security in the region. Liberia has been the source of much of the conflict that has taken place in what has been, in recent years, a most violent and troubled part of West Africa. The deployment of UNMIL throughout Liberia will therefore complement the effectiveness of the UN and international peacekeeping missions that already exist in neighbouring Sierra Leone and Côte d'Ivoire.
Participation in a peacekeeping mission in Liberia is also in accordance with the approach taken by Ireland on African issues during its Security Council tenure, when it worked hard to strengthen the engagement of the United Nations with so-called "failed states" and in conflict prevention and peace-building in Africa.
Accordingly, the Government has decided to seek the approval of the Dáil for the participation in this mission of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force. The Deputy will be aware that the Taoiseach stated at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, 25 September, that the Government would seek the agreement of the Dáil for the deployment of a sizeable contingent of Irish military personnel to the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).
The proposed Irish contingent could comprise a motorised infantry battalion of some 430 personnel, including the deployment of a small number of personnel at force headquarters in Monrovia. My colleague the Minister for Defence will, this month, submit a motion to the Dáil seeking approval for this contribution. The Government will continue to work to sustain the support of the international community for peace-building, and economic and social development, in Liberia and neighbouring countries, so that the benefits conferred by the deployment of UNMIL are sustained.
