Sir, – Some of the best Irish politicians and citizens want desperately, like myself, to retain our commitment to UN peacekeeping. Ireland has an extraordinary reputation for success in the difficult role that UN peacekeeping demands.
The simplest solution to the apparent reluctance from some members of the Oireachtas to retain a peacekeeping role could best be resolved by a referendum, which is long overdue and which, I believe, would have the support of the great majority of Ireland’s citizenry.
Ireland’s peacekeeping connection with the UN, I believe, is important, not only because the UN accepts the cost of peacekeeping and provides all the equipment, but because in addition it gives the Irish troops the status that they are there representing the interests of the UN – and UN protection is necessary, as evidenced by some tragedies in the last couple of months and years. Our reputation going back to the days of the Congo remains in place.
However, the UN Security Council, in my view, is the wrong entity of the UN to be involved in approving peacekeeping activities. The reality is that they represent their own interests, as the US, UK, China, France and Russia.
RM Block
The problem is their origin goes back to the 1940s when Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt met in Yalta and decided the new global entity needed to be controlled by them: that meant setting up the Security Council and the five veto powers which have been maintained ever since. No change.
My question is, does this country and Government want to entrust our peacekeeping to a council with its own vested interests? My answer is that this country should do what it should have done years ago and hold a referendum which, I believe, the majority of Irish people would support.
This would clarify our position vis à vis Europe and make it easier to stand as a country that is committed to non-violence and peacekeeping. This kind of protection indeed may be required in the months and years ahead.
Today the UN has a General Assembly made up of 195 member states: the General Assembly was established with the intention that they would be the decision making arm of the UN.
The General Assembly alone, in my view, should be allowed to judge how life could be made safer for all those involved. Together, the 195 member states have the capacity to be involved in peacekeeping when the Security Council fails.
I would hope the Irish Government would support such a proposal, and move the triple lock to the General Assembly where it belongs, and where all the supports for Irish peacekeeping would be maintained.
DENIS J. HALLIDAY
Former UN Assistant Secretary General (1994-98)
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6
