Originally posted by Laners
View Post
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Is Ireland's Peacekeeping model fit for purpose?
Collapse
X
-
For now, everything hangs on implementation of the CoDF report.
-
I read an account where a Mowag gunner,under orders, shot two "rebels/fighter/insert name and type of enemy here" off a motorcycle, as part of one of those rescue operations, as they were seen to be bearing an RPG with intent. No-one appears to have batted an eyelid, official or otherwise, so clearly the kid gloves were off, weapons were hot and action was expected. This is quite the contrast to previous actions and events in UNIFIL,going way back.
- Likes 3
Comment
-
Last edited by DeV; 9 November 2020, 12:41.
- Likes 1
Comment
-
Originally posted by DeV View Post
Good intentions. Nothing to support it.For now, everything hangs on implementation of the CoDF report.
- Likes 3
Comment
-
Originally posted by DeV View PostNot of course to mention things like people going on courses in NATO countries (not just the UK either), Ex Combined Endeavour, CJEX 2016 and Exercise Viking (being the highest profile).
Comment
-
Walking Point for Peace: An Irish view on the state of UN peacekeeping
Edward Burke and Jonathan Marley June 2015
- Likes 1
Comment
-
Originally posted by DeV View PostThere is a proposal to amend legislation to allow ARW (armed) deployment overseas with Ministerial approval
also, a review of the Triple Lock
The Triple Lock should go as it is no longer fit for purpose. Any UN resolution for a armed mission will be blocked by Russia or if Russia propsoes one it will be blocked by all the others (China will abstain).
- Likes 2
Comment
-
Originally posted by EUFighter View Post
Is this to allow larger deployments of the ARW?
The Triple Lock should go as it is no longer fit for purpose. Any UN resolution for a armed mission will be blocked by Russia or if Russia propsoes one it will be blocked by all the others (China will abstain).
strange because there are currently 12 UN peacekeeping operations around the world (plus others authorised by the UN)
Comment
-
Originally posted by EUFighter View Post
Is this to allow larger deployments of the ARW?
The Triple Lock should go as it is no longer fit for purpose. Any UN resolution for a armed mission will be blocked by Russia or if Russia propsoes one it will be blocked by all the others (China will abstain).
A deployment of Irish special forces soldiers to the Ukraine has been delayed due to confusion over the legality of sending troops abroad on protection missions.
The Irish Times understands that legislation is being drafted to clarify the law and permit a team of Army Ranger Wing (ARW) personnel to deploy to provide protection to Irish Embassy staff in the capital, Kyiv. The Irish Embassy in the city reopened in August, six months after evacuation of its staff following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Irish Ambassador Thérèse Healy is understood to be one of the only EU ambassadors in the country who does not have a close protection team, a matter which has caused significant concern among Department of Foreign Affairs officials. The plan is now to send a small, armed “close protection team”, composed of elite troops, to Kyiv to provide security to Ms Healy and her staff.
A request for a close protection team was made to the Department of Defence last year. However, this has been delayed as the department took the view that the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006 does not explicitly permit Defence Forces deployment overseas on protection missions. This is despite the ARW being deployed several times in the past to conduct overseas protection of Irish people.
Most recently, an ARW team travelled to Kabul International Airport in 2021 to provide security for Irish officials working to evacuate citizens following the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban. In 2015, an ARW close protection unit travelled to Beruit in Lebanon to protect a former Irish soldier giving evidence in the trial of Mahmoud Bazzi, who was accused of killing two peacekeepers in 1980.
They have also deployed to Irish embassies in several countries during times of heightened security threats and sometimes accompany ministers visiting UN deployments. Humanitarian tasks
The 2006 Act provides for Irish troops to go overseas for a variety of reasons, including training, ceremonial duties and humanitarian tasks. But it does not explicitly mention protection.
The problem was first raised internally around the time of the Kabul mission. It is not clear why nothing was done about it until now.
It is understood Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Micheál Martin is to shortly introduce amending legislation allowing the deployment of troops for this purpose, after which a close protection team will immediately travel to Kyiv. Ukraine’s government has already told Irish officials it will allow for the deployment of armed Irish troops on its territory for protection purposes.
The deployment of the team is not expected to trigger the Triple Lock, which requires Government and Dáil approval, along with a United Nations mandate, before troops can be deployed. The Triple Lock only applies to contingents of 12 troops or more and the close protection team will likely be smaller than this.
Mr Martin visited Kyiv last year when taoiseach. Then minister for foreign affairs Simon Coveney also visited. On both occasions close protection was provided by the Garda Emergency Response Unit (ERU), a move which prompted some anger within defence circles. One of the reasons cited by Government officials for not sending the ARW was confusion about the law.
Close protection is one of the core skillsets of the ARW, which is considered the most highly trained unit in the Defence Forces. The team deploying to Kyiv will be armed but will likely wear civilian clothes and operate discreetly.
There has not been fighting around Kyiv since Russian forces were driven back from the region last April. However, the city is still subject to regular missile attacks, some of which have caused civilian causalities.
- Likes 2
Comment
-
Current model is seen by some as the "Old World" lecturing the developing world, while using the troops of the developing world as its enforcers.
It didn't work in the 1950s, it works less today. For example, how has UNFICYP contributed to stabilisation of the territorial dispute in Cyprus? Has the UN Buffer zone just maintained the Status Quo for the last 60 years or so? The British maintain a Base there still, and play a lead role in the UM mission. Is that not a continuation of imperialism with a blue beret?
I understand in the 90s, Gardai sent out under UNMIBH to Bosnia-Herzegovina in reality worked under Europol control, as the UN were no longer trusted in the area. Vehicles carried IPTF logo, not UN. Europol ended up taking over the mission in 2002 as EUPM.
20 or so years ago the UN was exposed badly in the Balkans, and little was done since to fix what was broken. Now with a UNSC member having invaded a neighbouring state, claimed its territory, and continued its invasion further under the guise of protecting the occupants of their currently captured territory, and the UN is powerless to prevent it, and Sanctions are being actively bypassed without penalty, it demonstrates how very League of Nations it has become.For now, everything hangs on implementation of the CoDF report.
- Likes 2
Comment
Comment