LIBERIA: Ireland will "work forcefully" to bring the problems of Africa to Europe's attention during the EU presidency, the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, said at the start of a three-day visit to Liberia.
"We can't just turn our backs on Africa," he said shortly after flying into Monrovia airport just before dark yesterday evening.
Mr Smith is in Liberia to visit 473 Irish troops participating in the 15,000-strong UN force in Liberia - the world's largest peace-enforcement mission.
He was welcomed by Brig Gen Bob Fitzgerald, Chief of Staff at the UN mission, Lieut Col John Ryan, and Mr Liam Canniffe, Ireland's ambassador to Nigeria.
The Minister was accompanied on the Government jet by the Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Lieut Gen Colm Mangan, his aide Lieut Colm Campbell, and three Department of Defence officials. A close protection detail from the Army ranger wing escorted the party to a hotel in Monrovia's Mamba Point diplomatic area.
Liberia is a "particularly challenging assignment", Mr Smith said at a reception later. Today he is due to visit Camp Clara, the base on the grounds of a derelict hotel where the 90th Infantry Battalion and about 25 rangers are stationed. He will also meet the UN force commander and the vice-chairman of the transitional government of Liberia, Prof Wesley Johnson. The meeting takes place at the Executive Mansion, which was the stage for the dramatic flight into exile of former president Charles Taylor last August. His departure paved the way for a peace deal and the subsequent formation of a transitional government.
Ireland has participated in more than 50 UN peacekeeping missions, and donated €2.5 million in aid to Liberia last year.
The Minister also paid tribute to Sgt Derek Mooney, the ranger who died in a road accident in December.