Two hundred and sixty Irish soldiers are on peacekeeping duty in Kosovo.
Ethnic tensions run deep in Kosovo and Ireland is one of forty countries operating in a NATO-led peace effort in the region. The campaign will continue until people learn to live together in peace.
Less than five years ago, ethnic cleansing was common here in Kosovo.
Comdt Larry Mac Eoin says that the presence of the peace keeping force in Kosovo is the reason that the situation is calm at the moment.
Kosovo has a population of around two million, ninety per cent of Albanian descent and eight per cent Serb. During the 1990s, Slobodan Milošević's Serb forces carried out fierce brutalities in the country.
Mass graves hold bodies of about ten thousand people who died and almost a million people were displaced.
In 1999, over 50,000 peacekeepers arrived in Kosovo initially to protect the Albanian population and now Serbs. The country is experiencing poverty and unemployment and many believe that their plight is being ignored. Society is also divided with children from both sides being taught in separate classrooms in some schools. Village elders attempt to put their differences aside to maintain peace.
The Irish Defence Forces have had a presence in Kosovo for the last four years. Last September, the number of Irish soldiers doubled. The troops are now in a new battle group under a Finnish commander.
Lt Col Michael Finn commends the preparation of troops for deployment and the positive attitude to engagement under the Finnish commander.
Irish soldiers on patrol now have the most modern radio and computer tracking systems.
Cpl Lynn Davis explains that the soldiers on patrol are constantly monitored to keep them as safe as possible.
In addition to protecting ethnic groups, the soldiers collect intelligence on crime, smuggling, prostitution and people trafficking. They also carry out humanitarian work such as teaching children to speak English.
Cpl Robbie Buggy says his experience in Kosovo is different to Lebanon as there are not as many bombs dropping in Kosovo. However, the situation can change daily.
The peacekeepers know that they're merely keeping the lid on ethnic tensions.
The United Nations remains optimistic that autonomy for Kosovo will be considered in 2005. Isabella Karlowicz, a spokesperson for the United Nations in Kosovo, says the only solution is a multi-ethnic country. Until that happens, 18,000 international peacekeepers will continue to keep the peace.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 15 December 2003. The reporter is Joe O'Brien.
