Army's peace role in Lebanon may be ended over shelling

Ireland's 21-year participation in UN peacekeeping missions in south Lebanon is to be reviewed after a crucial meeting today between the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, and his Israeli counterpart, Mr Moshe Arens.

Mr Smith is seeking "solid assurances" that the Israelis will intervene to stop their surrogate militia, the South Lebanese Army, from firing indiscriminately at Irish positions in the region. An Irish private was killed and another critically injured in shelling by the SLA late last month.

And in a hard-hitting meeting last night with the Lebanese Defence Minister, Mr Zhaiter Ghazi, the Minister warned that Irish troops would not be "taken for granted". He pointed to the recklessness evident in the conflict at present and said that shooting at UN compounds was "totally unacceptable".

Expressing surprise at the strength of the Government's protest, Mr Ghazi promised to raise Irish concerns with fellow ministers and with "contacts", understood to be the Hizbullah fighters, who are tolerated though not controlled by the Lebanese government.

Although Mr Smith said he would not be making an end to the attacks an "absolute condition" for continued Irish participation in the UNIFIL mission, there were clear signs that the Government is already thinking of the day when it withdraws from south Lebanon.

The Minister gained first-hand evidence of the increased instability in the Irish zone yesterday when his planned tour of the region was delayed and then curtailed by prolonged shelling involving Syrian-backed Hizbullah fighters and the SLA.

Mr Smith said Irish troops were committed to staying in south Lebanon for as long as necessary but there had to be greater assurances of safety from the Israelis. But, with the new Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Ehud Barak, having promised to pull his forces out of south Lebanon within a year, Mr Smith signalled that the Defence Forces are already thinking of withdrawal.

"We're here to finish the job we came here to do 21 years ago but not under conditions that would jeopardise our soldiers," he said. "But we're also looking for new pastures and new opportunities."

Up to 100 Irish soldiers are to travel to Kosovo shortly to participate in the UN mission there. Mr Smith said he anticipated being in Kosovo "for the long haul" and that numbers there would be increased as operations in south Lebanon were scaled down. Further overseas commitments are likely to arise shortly when Ireland joins the NATO-sponsored Partnership for Peace programme.

Participation in UN peacekeeping operations is vital for the Army as it provides unique opportunities for training and boosts morale. But in recent years, the Army has experienced difficulties in raising battalions for Lebanon. If familiarity breeds contempt, some Irish soldiers must be heartily sick of the country after 21 years - indeed, one is currently serving his 16th tour of duty, amounting to eight years in total away from his family.

Mr Smith points out, however, that a new continuous recruitment programme has improved matters, and 45 per cent of those currently serving here are on their first tour of duty.

In his meeting today with Mr Arens, Mr Smith says he will be looking for "solid assurances" that the SLA will cease its practice of indiscriminate firing. But with a new Israeli administration due to be formed in the coming days, it is questionable whether Mr Arens is in a position to give Mr Smith the guarantees he requires, even if he wanted to.