A SENIOR Army officer will be stationed at NATO headquarters in Belgium for the next year as part of the Defence Forces' participation in the international peacekeeping operation in former Yugoslavia, it emerged yesterday.
The appointment, as part of a 50 strong contingent which is serving with the NATO led stability force (Sfor) in Sarajevo, was announced in the Dail by the Minister for Defence and the Marine.
Mr Barrett was putting a motion before the Dail to permit the Defence Forces' participation in the multinational Sfor peacekeeping operation.
The Defence Forces' contribution to Sfor will consist of a 49 strong military police contingent in Sarajevo. While the general make up of the contingent was already known, it was not known publicly until yesterday that it would entail the attachment of military staff to NATO headquarters.
The Minister confirmed that an officer of lieutenant colonel ranks would go to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe to liaise on Irish operations. It is the first time Irish military personnel have had such a role with NATO.
The Minister said the involvement of other non NATO countries Sfor indicates that military neutrality has not been an issue in the context of Ifor (the force which preceded Sfor) and Sfor. The overriding consideration is the critical need to bring about peace and stability in this troubled region."
The only comment from the Defence Forces yesterday was: "The Dail has taken a decision and it is our role and intention to implement the decision."
Senior military sources, however, were delighted with the decision. There has been growing concern about the reduction in UN peacekeeping operations.