In the midst of anxiety over terrorism and conflict, a web page linking Canada and Ireland is happy to reflect on the role of both countries in peacekeeping operations under the aegis of the United Nations Organization.

Originally promoted by Lester B. Pearson, eminent Canadian diplomat, the peacekeeping duties of the United Nations have been carried out by soldiers of many countries in many of the world’s trouble spots since 1956, the year of the Anglo-French attack on Egypt and Israel’s incursion into the Sinai during what was termed the Suez Canal Crisis.

The Honor Roll of those who served and those who fell is lengthy. A web page maintained by the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association lists the names of Canadians who died in the service of peace. There is also a peacekeeping monument in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, honouring Canadian peacekeepers.

On Wednesday, September 26 2001, a memorial was unveiled in Lebanon in honour of the 45 Irish soldiers who lost their lives while on UN peacekeeping duty in the region.

The three-sided monument is inscribed in English, Irish and Arabic, and bears the names of the 45 dead, 18 of whom were killed in action.

There are currently 559 Irish military personnel serving in Lebanon as part of UNIFIL. They are due to be withdrawn in November

The Lebanese Minister for Defence, Mr. Khalid Hrawi, speaking at the unveiling of the monument, said the people of Lebanon would always remember what Ireland did as part of UNIFIL and in social and humanitarian areas.

Ireland’s Minister of Defence, Mr. Michael Smith, attended the ceremony.

Footnote: Lester B. Pearson later entered politics and became Canada’s 19th Prime Minister (1963-68).