UN chief surprised by 'confusion' over Lisbon

UN SECRETARY general Ban Ki-moon expressed surprise that “confusion” about Irish Defence Forces activity was a factor in the debate ahead of the first Lisbon Treaty referendum, according to Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea.

Speaking to the media after a meeting with Mr Ban at the Department of Defence in Dublin yesterday, Mr O’Dea said: “He was a little surprised at the idea that during the last referendum campaign on Lisbon that there was some confusion about our military, what we’re doing abroad militarily.

“And he said, he emphasised and he re-emphasised to me, that there’s absolutely no incompatibility at all between what we are doing and what the objectives of the UN are – that what we are doing is exactly in line with the UN objectives of peacekeeping.”

According to a statement released by the department after the meeting, Mr Ban described Ireland as “an exemplary member of the United Nations over many years”.

Mr Ban said Ireland’s support and participation was an example to other nations. He said Ireland was a “real partner” to the UN in supporting international peace and security through the deployment of expensive resources, according to the statement.

Mr Ban expressed his appreciation of the Defence Forces’ contribution to peacekeeping for more than 50 years and observed that Ireland participated in almost half of all UN missions.

He said one of the greatest challenges facing the UN in peacekeeping was speed of deployment to troubled areas. He added that he welcomed the efforts of the EU “to develop the capacity for rapid deployment in support of the UN”.

However, Mr Ban said the UN faced “mounting difficulties in getting enough troops, the right equipment and adequate logistical support”, noting the difficulty in securing sufficient helicopters for the UN mission to Darfur.

In the department’s statement, Mr O’Dea restated Ireland’s commitment to supporting the UN, making particular reference to ongoing work in Africa.

“This commitment to Africa is evident today in the fact that Ireland’s largest current deployment is in Chad, where over 400 of the 750 Irish troops now serving overseas are deployed.”

Mr O’Dea said Ireland was a strong supporter of the UN’s aim to deliver effective and speedy peacekeeping and was working in the EU to ensure this continued.

Mr Ban also visited McKee Barracks in Dublin yesterday, where he met recent UN mission participants as well as representatives of the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women (Onet) and the Irish United Nations Veterans’ Association.

Retired Maj Gen Vincent Savino was among the veterans who spoke to Mr Ban.

“I wished him every success in his pursuit of peace throughout the world on behalf of the veterans,” said Maj Gen Savino.

“He thanked me very much and thanked all the veterans.”