Madam, - An advance unit of the Army in the form of the ranger wing departed recently for Chad. There has been some comment about their mission, the involvement of the French, the global politics and the relationship between China and the Sudan. In the midst of this debate the plight of the 500,000 refugees and their very right to exist and live in some form of safety and security has almost become secondary.
We in Europe tend to forget that European involvement in Africa is not a legacy to be proud of and perhaps now Europe should begin to repay and shoulder its responsibility for the exploitation of the past. The French, Germans, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, British, Belgians, Italians all left a history of division, unfinished conflicts and their involvements were focused on exploiting natural resources and strategic considerations.
It took an Irishman, Roger Casement to first highlight the savagery of the colonial powers and now when we see the tribal and ethnic violence in parts of Africa we must not forget that Europeans contributed with their methods and strategies of divide and conquer.
Ireland, partly because of its own history, has contributed uniquely to UN missions and humanitarian assistance programmes with an understanding of culture and diversity that makes us acceptable to others but also gives us as a nation the potential to become real leaders on the global stage.
In supporting this initiative I would acknowledge the Government's commitment to this mission, which without doubt is the most challenging ever undertaken by the Defence Forces. It is imperative, now that this mission has commenced, that every effort is made to support the Army's efforts on the ground. I wish Lieut Gen Nash, commanding officer of this force, every success and a safe mission. - Yours, etc,
JAMES FINUCANE, Oakpark, Tralee, Co Kerry.