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11/01/2008
Troops Bound For Chad This Month
Irish troops are set to head to Africa shortly. At a meeting in Brussels on Friday morning, final problems about the provision of helicopters and medical back up were resolved and it was announced that the expected deployment of Irish peacekeepers in Chad is to take place.
Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea said the first Irish troops would now be on the ground in Central Africa early next month, following a delay of about two months.
Last autumn, the EU agreed to send about 4,000 peacekeepers to Chad to protect refugees from neighbouring Darfur.
France is providing most of the troops. Ireland has promised over 400 soldiers and an Irish General, Lt Pat Nash, has been put in charge of the operation.
The troops were due in Chad long before Christmas, but the mission was held up because of a shortage of helicopters and medical facilities.
At this morning's meeting, France agreed to provide most of the required helicopters and Italy confirmed it would look after the medical needs.
It is now expected that French troops will be on the ground on 29 January.
A week later, the initial Irish Ranger troops will take up position, and the main body of Irish peacekeepers will be deployed in early March.
Minister O'Dea said that while the launch process has taken longer than anticipated, the mission demonstrates the potential of the EU to respond to conflict and humanitarian crisis.
(BMcC)
Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea said the first Irish troops would now be on the ground in Central Africa early next month, following a delay of about two months.
Last autumn, the EU agreed to send about 4,000 peacekeepers to Chad to protect refugees from neighbouring Darfur.
France is providing most of the troops. Ireland has promised over 400 soldiers and an Irish General, Lt Pat Nash, has been put in charge of the operation.
The troops were due in Chad long before Christmas, but the mission was held up because of a shortage of helicopters and medical facilities.
At this morning's meeting, France agreed to provide most of the required helicopters and Italy confirmed it would look after the medical needs.
It is now expected that French troops will be on the ground on 29 January.
A week later, the initial Irish Ranger troops will take up position, and the main body of Irish peacekeepers will be deployed in early March.
Minister O'Dea said that while the launch process has taken longer than anticipated, the mission demonstrates the potential of the EU to respond to conflict and humanitarian crisis.
(BMcC)
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27 August 2008
Chad Violence Set To Grow On End Of Rains
The imminent end of Chad's annual rainy season is expected to mark an elevation in the intensity of fighting involving Ireland's troops in the troubled African state.
Chad Violence Set To Grow On End Of Rains
The imminent end of Chad's annual rainy season is expected to mark an elevation in the intensity of fighting involving Ireland's troops in the troubled African state.
13 August 2008
Irish Troops Chopper Into Chad
Irish troops presently undertaking operations in Chad have been sent three helicopters to help cope with monsoon conditions in the African state. The wet season in Chad has severely limited ground movement by all sides and the choppers are seen as vital for the force to fulfil its mission.
Irish Troops Chopper Into Chad
Irish troops presently undertaking operations in Chad have been sent three helicopters to help cope with monsoon conditions in the African state. The wet season in Chad has severely limited ground movement by all sides and the choppers are seen as vital for the force to fulfil its mission.
19 June 2008
UN Criticises Irish Troops In Chad
The office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNCHR) has criticised Irish troops in Chad after a raid on their offices by rebels. A spokeswoman for the UNCHR said the she accepted Irish forces where serving in Chad on a basis of neutrality, but is reported to have argued they should have stepped in.
UN Criticises Irish Troops In Chad
The office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNCHR) has criticised Irish troops in Chad after a raid on their offices by rebels. A spokeswoman for the UNCHR said the she accepted Irish forces where serving in Chad on a basis of neutrality, but is reported to have argued they should have stepped in.
17 June 2008
Defence Minister Says Chad Attack Was Mistake
The Irish defence Minister has said that an attack by Chadian rebels on Irish forces in the war-torn country could have been "a mistake". Speaking as he arrived in Chad's capital N'Djamena, Minister Willie O'Dea said he believed the attack on Saturday was a "knee-jerk" reaction by rebels, and the shooting was a mistake.
Defence Minister Says Chad Attack Was Mistake
The Irish defence Minister has said that an attack by Chadian rebels on Irish forces in the war-torn country could have been "a mistake". Speaking as he arrived in Chad's capital N'Djamena, Minister Willie O'Dea said he believed the attack on Saturday was a "knee-jerk" reaction by rebels, and the shooting was a mistake.
16 June 2008
Irish soldiers in hour-long firefight with Chad rebels
Irish troops came under fire at the weekend when rebels trying to topple President Idriss Deby attacked a town in eastern Chad where refugees were sheltering. There was heavy fighting for about an hour, but it was not clear if there were casualties. Eastern Chad is temporary home to some 300,000 refugees who have fled the Darfur conflict in Sudan.
Irish soldiers in hour-long firefight with Chad rebels
Irish troops came under fire at the weekend when rebels trying to topple President Idriss Deby attacked a town in eastern Chad where refugees were sheltering. There was heavy fighting for about an hour, but it was not clear if there were casualties. Eastern Chad is temporary home to some 300,000 refugees who have fled the Darfur conflict in Sudan.
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Ireland WeatherToday:Scattered showers of rain, sleet and, over hills, snow in the morning with sunny spells, the best of these in the south. The showers dying out this afternoon with increasing amounts of sunshine. Occasionally fresh westerly or northwesterly winds easing. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.
