Irish troops should stick to peacekeeping

The Irish Defence Forces have 442 soldiers serving overseas in 14 missions with the UN, EU, OSCE and Nato. 

This is scattergun. Missions such as the NATO force in Afghanistan are making war, not peace, and the dangers to Irish soldiers in Kabul will be increased with the withdrawal of most other foreign troops. Ireland should focus on peacekeeping in serious conflicts, such as in the Congo and Darfur.

The majority of the Irish people want Ireland to pursue positive neutrality, which includes sending Irish soldiers abroad to promote international peace and sustainable development, but does not include the resource wars being pursued by the US and Nato.

Our Irish values are not Nato’s values. The seven Irish soldiers in Afghanistan with Nato should not be replaced when their mission ends on December 31. They should not be in Afghanistan.

Edward Horgan

Newtown

Castletroy

Limerick