Irish troops should have ‘more authority’ if staying in Golan

Continued Defence Force participation in the United Nations’ peacekeeping mission on the Golan Heights (Undof) is likely to depend on the troops there being given authority for a more flexible and muscular response to attack, more powerful weaponry and other equipment.

This became clear today as the Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney, was questioned on what he will say to his Cabinet colleagues when they meet tomorrow.

Ireland wished to remain involved with Undof (the United Nations Disengagement Force), he said, but only after it was reviewed in light of recent events.

Since 1974, Undof has patrolled a strip of the Golan Heights, which are part of Syria but have been occupied by Israel since 1967 and were effectively annexed by it in 1981, though this is not recognised under international law.

The strip is in reality a buffer between Syria and Israel but has recently been the theatre of activity by Syria-based militia in that country’s civil war. Mr Coveney said recent events had changed the situation radically.

The Irish troops are already more heavily armed than other members of the peacekeeping mission and have Mowag armoured cars. “We are effectively a rapid response unit,” said Mr Coveney.

“What I’m looking for, and what the Taoiseach will insist on, is, on the basis of a full re-evaluation of the levels of risk on the ground to UN peacekeepers there, a set of structure changes and if necessary a change to the [UN]mandate to reflect that,” he told reporters while attending the inaugural Veteran’s Day at Curragh Camp.

He suggested that Ireland could withdraw from the mission if the changes sought were not forthcoming.

“It may be. . . that it is not possible to change [THE]mandate, or it’s not possible to maintain that mission; and if that’s the case, that’s the case. But certainly I think the UN, both on the ground [AND]collectively, which will involve Ireland and the other participating countries, and also at a central level in New York, need to be given the time and space to respond to events that have unfolded [AND]that deserve an appropriate response to ensure that countries that are committing young lives to peacekeeping and stability can be reassured that there is an acceptable of managed risk that goes with this mission.”

The review, which has been prompted by a Syria milita attack on a UN post and their kidnapping, and subsequent release to Irish UN troops, of 36 Filipino peacekeepers and the kidnapping of a further 43 Fijians who remain detailed, could suggest a number of options, said Mr Coveney.

“There are things that can be done. For example, this is an 80 km strip of land, relatively narrow but widened in places. Clearly moving UN positions closer to the Israeli border would make it safer”.