Shatter says strong UN command is vital

MINISTER FOR Defence Alan Shatter said he would do what he could as Minister to ensure the difficulties Irish troops faced on UN missions in Liberia and Central Africa did not recur.

Mr Shatter said it was vital to have a “co-ordinated command structure for any UN mission” and to have “full co-operation between different forces located in an area”.

He was responding to Fianna Fáil defence spokesman Dara Calleary, who referred to remarks made by Col Gerald Aherne, chief of operations on the UN peace enforcement mission in Liberia.

Mr Calleary said in an article in Signal magazine the senior officer referred to UN “office politics negatively affecting military missions” and said that UN structures were beset by a muddled chain of command.

He also said that during the most recent mission in central Africa vital “life-support issues” for soldiers were “unsatisfactory”.

The Minister said the mission occurred prior to his appointment but “there were matters referred to” which “give rise to concern”.

He said 563 Defence Forces personnel were currently involved in 11 missions worldwide, including the Nordic battle group which had been on standby since January 1st and would stand down tomorrow.

The main missions are in the UN interim force in Lebanon, the EU-led operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Nato-led international security presence in Kosovo.

Sinn Féin spokesman Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked if the Minister would consider putting an annual motion before the Dáil to give authorisation to mobilisations of fewer than 14 personnel, the current minimum for the “triple lock” requirement of UN, Government and Oireachtas support.

Mr Shatter said there was “adequate opportunity at meetings of the defence committee to discuss very small contingents”.