Madam, - If it proves to be the case that Ireland refuses to participate in the EU preventive deployment mission in Macedonia it will be a cause for shame. The argument that the mission does not have a UN mandate is no more than a convenient excuse for a total failure of vision and nerve.
A year ago, at the National Forum on Europe, I spoke of the possibility that this country would stand aside from an EU initiative to assist Macedonia and that some alleged principle would be paraded for what would be an act of sheer political irresponsibility. It appears that that has now come to pass.
The absence of a UN mandate in this case arises from the Chinese veto on the renewal of the mandate of the UNPREDEP mission to Macedonia which, between 1995 and 1999, provided a small Balkan nation with essential protection as it strove to build its economy and society in a crisis-ridden region.
The Chinese veto had nothing to do with theories of international peace-keeping as recently suggested in your columns but, as I learned as director for Macedonia in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, arose because Macedonia accepted an offer of badly needed financial help from Taiwan.
The removal of UNPREDEP was among the causes of the crisis and ethnic violence which threatened the very existence of Macedonia over the past two years.
The EU-brokered Ohrid Agreement has restored stability but it requires continued European support including the provision of a small peace-keeping presence.
Continued Chinese hostility makes a UN mandate impossible but it is clear that the initial NATO operation which the EU is taking over has had, and continues to have, the understanding and practical support of Secretary-General Kofi Annan. It is an essential example of international, and more importantly, European solidarity.
As I said at the National Forum, Irish refusal to participate in a mission to assist a small European neighbour such as Macedonia must call into question the very basis of Irish foreign policy. If our so-called principles mean that we can turn our backs on Macedonia what, if anything, do we stand for? - Yours, etc.,
TONY BROWN,
Bettyglen,
Raheny,
Dublin 5.