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MORE IRISH SOLDIERS will be deployed on peacekeeping missions, if proposals to put more structures in place around sending troops to volatile areas is agreed.
An initiative, which is to be spearheaded by Ireland, proposes the introduction of “rotation cycles”.
The proposal, which is co-sponsored by Ireland, Sweden, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium, will put in place a system that would see EU member States collaborate together to contribute to UN missions.
The plan hopes to offer more transparency and also deal with how countries can exit such operations.
One of the key concerns of member States relates to the management of the rotation of countries involved in UN Peacekeeping missions.
Paul Kehoe, the Minister of State for Defence, believes the UN from time to time finds itself in a “vicious circle” whereby potential contributors to UN missions decide not to commit personnel or capabilities as they feel they have no certainty in relation to exiting the operation.
This can make UN operations unattractive to States, and undermine the effectiveness and capacity of these operations, he said.
The new initiative launched at the EU Council Meeting of defence ministers today hopes to enhance the contribution of EU member States to the UN Blue Hat Operations across the globe.
“The initiative we have launched today is designed to provide a roadmap to enhance coordination among our EU partners to deliver greater certainty for member States in contributing to UN Missions,” said Kehoe.
Under the new plans, a member State may for example indicate that it is considering deploying a capability to a particular UN mission for a specific period, depending on the nature of that specific contribution.
In the case of on the ground personnel it may be for a number of years, while in respect of higher end capabilities it may be much shorter in terms of deployment duration.
The minister said the process would require close and detailed engagement with the UN, which has already pledged support for these proposals.
Over the last few months ongoing discussions have been held with the UN Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping, Jean-Pierre Lacroix about rolling out the sequenced rotation at the European level.
Kehoe said the plan can help deliver “sustained support for peacekeeping, while more European coordination can also facilitate several member States to deliver a contingent or capability by working closely together”.
“We will now work closely with EU colleagues, our co-sponsors the External Action Service and the UN to develop this framework for greater collaboration in support of UN Peacekeeping missions,” he said, adding that Ireland fully supports is engagement in EU Battlegroups, which Irish soldiers have taken part in over the years.
This year, Ireland currently has over 600 personnel serving overseas in 13 countries and on one sea.
As Ireland celebrates its 60th anniversary of unbroken service with the UN, Kehoe said he has been actively exploring ways to enhance the contribution of EU member states to the UN Blue Helmet Operations.
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Its factual stuff. Vodka kills. My uncle in east Russia was an alcoholic he drunk minimum 1 bottle a day. My aunt had horrible life, its not just that vodka kills its also ruins families…
For hundreds of years, many people in Russia have lived miserable lives. Their solace has been vodka, the true opiate of the masses. For hundreds of years, many people in Ireland lived miserable lives. Their solace has been poteen, whiskey, stout and now, gin, vodka, rum, wine, cocaine, amphetamines and heroin.
A bottle a day Pavel? Wow how long did he manage that for ?
Bottle of Vodka in Russian Supermarket for as little as 199 Rubels – about 4euro. Even cheaper on black market. However, I would argue it is a generational thing, and younger Russians don’t have the same attraction to daily drinking as older people. Jobs are plentiful, social mobility is on the increase and better health education. I still get shocked the high (massive) percentage of people who smoke – must be close to 50% of the population. The vast majority of this I suspect is concentrated in lower socio-economic class, as the risks are poorly explained. What Pavel says above is very true – whatever the impact on the alcoholic themselves, it is the family, kids and friends who often suffer a greater pain.
@ Jon : Very sad to see so many young women smoking, More than men.
In Russia , vodka drinks you!
Drank volka once a few yrs back. Missed 2 days of my life trying to recover…… 2-3 bottles a week. Their liver must be pickled!
Was in Moscow few years back and could not get over how a group of men at the bar had a large bottle each!!!! And drinking it like milk serious problem !
@ Micheal : Part of the problem is vodka is very cheap. You can buy a bottle in a supermarket for just over 100 Rubles. 1.5 Euro. That said there has been a major switchover to beer in the last five years or so, especially by younger people who consider it un cool to drink vodka. In addition to that they are much better educated as to its dangers. Beer ranges from anything between 1.50 Eur. in a small bar for 0.5 , and 9.50 Eur for a Guinness or Kilkenny in Moscow .
Mistake above.. In Tatarstan bottle of vodka 120 Rubels = 2.65 Eur. Still very cheap
Believe it or not but an awful lot of Irish people are drinking just as much vodka.
One of my friends aunties would easily do a large bottle per day!
Vodka you talking about?
It’s a woman? Good lord!
Better drink up, Putin. At 63 you’re already living on borrowed time.
Putin doesn’t Drink.
Typical.. The one c*nt you want to die from vodka doesn’t drink!! Booooo!
And this is something new? Come on .
Drink Water,more expensive but better for you
A 750ml bottle has approx 21 ‘pub’ 35ml measures. Even 1 bottle a week would be a lot, but 3 is slow suicide which too many people are doing
Really? I never would have believed it.
I’ll think about that when I’m hoovering a 2nd bag up my nose later!
Vodka’s a hell of a drug.
Breaking news! Irish men drink too much Guinness!
Guinness for strength !!
Pa
There is quiet a difference between a pint of Guinness and a pint of Vodka.
Go home vodka, you’re drunk
All spirits are deadly for the body even in small amounts. I gave up drinking spirits when I was 22 years old due to some crazy incidents and 17 years on I still don’t miss them!!! :)
ffs let them at it.nobody forcing them .this is sad for the journal if this is news
Go way 55 is long enough to live
Will you say that when you are fifty four Alan?
Ireland is no different
Well clearly it is because 1/4 of all Irish men aren’t dead by 55.
It’s their lives.. They have chosen this life. I’m sure it’s pretty miserable for them either way
Quickly, someone send Putin a bottle
Horrible drink dont know why any one drink this stuff
Stops the blood from freezing in the cold Russian winter
Alcohol doesn’t raise body temperature. All it does is make you feel warmer. Which is fine if you just want to feel a bit warmer, but useless to avoid hypothermia or any risk posed by low body temperature.
What constitutes news please tell me?
Something that’s not “Old’s.
Irish men n women will drink anything that resembles alcohol and they will die also.
have your say