O'Dea to visit troops in Kosovo

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea today begins a two-day visit to Irish peacekeeping troops in Kosovo.

Mr O’Dea will hold talks with senior military officers fronting UN operations in the war-torn region of the former Yugoslavia.

He will also view a demonstration of military equipment before touring the area patrolled by Irish troops.

“The Irish contingent, currently comprising 213 personnel, was first deployed to Kosovo in September 2003,” said a Defence Department spokesperson.

“The 32nd Infantry Group, mostly drawn from the Western Brigade, will complete its six-month tour of duty in Pristina in October.”

Most Irish troops are deployed in the Multi-National Task Force – Central (MNTF-C) that patrols the central Pristina region – the scene of heavy ethnic rioting in March 2004.

MNTF-C is led by the Czech Republic and also includes troops from Slovakia, Sweden, Finland and Latvia.

Mr O’Dea, who will be accompanied by officials as well as Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lt Gen James Sreenan, will visit Irish personnel at Camp Clarke and Camp Ville in Pristina.

The current KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) operation comprises 16,000 troops under the overall command of Lt Gen Giuseppe Valotto from Italy.

As well as peacekeeping, the Irish defence forces have been involved in small-scale humanitarian activities like rebuilding homes and upgrading local schools and sports facilities.

Current projects overseen by the 32nd Infantry Group and supported by Irish Aid funds include the construction of a sports arena in Oklap and refurbishing school toilets in Bandukic.