Smith denies that UN role of Defence Forces is to be abandoned

The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, has strongly rejected arguments by the former head of the Defence Forces, Lieut Gen Gerry McMahon, that Ireland is abandoning its UN role with serious consequences for the training and preparation of troops.

"I'm just amazed that Lieut Gen McMahon would feel that there's some diminution in our commitment to the United Nations - it's not true, it won't stand up and it doesn't stand up with what's happening at the moment," Mr Smith said.

Last Wednesday in The Irish Times Lieut Gen McMahon said that from next May Ireland's contribution to the UN on the ground would be derisory, with the numbers serving with the UN being reduced from 760 to a mere 66.

"In one way, it is hard to fathom this desertion of the UN," said Lieut Gen McMahon, adding that it appeared that the 66 soldiers were spread widely throughout the globe, "so we can paint our contribution to UN as being five missions worldwide".

Lieut Gen McMahon expressed particular concern over the planned Irish withdrawal from UN duties in the Lebanon, which he said had provided excellent experience for Irish troops in the past and was still a good proving ground for new soldiers.

Mr Smith said: "On the very day Lieut Gen McMahon's article appeared, the Government was deciding to continue the operation in East Timor, which brings the amount of soldiers we have serving with the United Nations to virtually record levels.

"Under the UNSAS agreement there is a standby arrangement for up to 850 minimum and we're now well over 900 . . . He's also wrong about the other missions (outside of UNIFIL). They haven't been scaled down - some of them are very small missions - we haven't changed them in any way from his time." Mr Smith said that Irish troops had been involved with the United Nations for 40 years and had served in 40 different countries while Ireland was the fourth highest contributor of troops on a consistent basis to the UN.

"And we're going to continue that where we have a UN mandate and where we believe we have the resources, the manpower and the equipment to deliver a good service and there's absolutely no change in that," he said.

Mr Smith pointed out that the Irish involvement in Lebanon was never intended as a permanent presence and to express concern about the implications of a withdrawal of Irish troops was to misinterpret their role in the area.

"To interpret the possibility of bringing back the troops in UNIFIL when we have an opportunity when peace is restored in the next year and half or so, and to interpret that as a reduction in our commitment to the United Nations, has to be a nonsense.

"The essence of peacekeeping is to succeed in restoring normality - administrative, educational and medical systems - so that you can withdraw and let the local communities manage their affairs. We're not going to stay anywhere for all time."

Mr Smith also pointed out that the Government was investing some £40 million in the purchase of 40 new Swiss-made Mowag armoured personnel carriers, all of which will be operational by the end of 2001.

He also confirmed that work on the latest ship for the Naval Service - a £20 million sister vessel to the LE Roisin - is three months ahead of schedule at Appleyards in Devon. The ship should be ready for commissioning in June 2001.

Mr Smith was speaking at the naval base in Haulbowline, where he attended a memorial service for Able Mechanic Robert Dean, who was lost when he fell overboard from the LE Eithne some 900 miles off Bantry on July 20th.

Among those attending were the parents of Able Mechanic Dean, Frederick and Eleanor, his brothers, Fred, David and Roland, the Lord Mayor of Cork, Mr P.J. Hourican, and the Minister of State, Mr Dan Wallace.