Irish observer group will go to Georgia

IRELAND IS to contribute four people to a 300-member EU observer group being deployed to Georgia next week.

The mission, numbering 100 more than was envisaged under a French-brokered deal ending last month's war with Russia, will monitor Russia's compliance with its ceasefire commitments to pull out troops it sent into Georgian territory during the five-day conflict.

The Irish contingent will comprise two retired members of the Army, an academic and an expert on the region. It is understood they will arrive in Georgia later this week.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin announced yesterday that Ireland would participate in the observer group after holding talks in Dublin with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.

Mr Martin said: "Under the 8th of September agreement, the EU has made commitments which it is determined to carry out. The monitoring mission will be in place by 1st of October as agreed. Ireland is contributing personnel to this."

Mr Lavrov said Russia was very glad to see Irish representatives taking part. "Irish peacekeepers have a reputation for impartial and neutral peacekeeping and I'm sure will give an objective evaluation of the situation."

A member of Ireland's Rapid Response Corps is already working in Georgia as a logistics officer with Unicef.

At their meeting, both Ministers also discussed initiatives to develop co-operation on investment, science, culture and tourism. The conflict in the Middle East was also on the agenda, as well as Iran and Darfur.

Mr Martin said the Government regretted the Russian decision to recognise the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which he said "can only complicate the search" for a settlement.

"Ireland has been particularly concerned at the humanitarian consequences of the crisis. There is a risk of a major crisis over the coming winter and Ireland has contributed in a small way.

"Particular attention must be paid to the needs of the large internally displaced population," he added.

Mr Martin also said it was vital that Russia fully implemented commitments it made in the September 8th agreement between French president Nicolas Sarkozy and Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and the six-point plan agreed between Georgia and Russia.