UN peace troops still needed
UN peace troops still needed
By Enny Soeprapto
JAKARTA (JP): The dispatches of 7,000 peacekeepers to Haiti
and 8,000 to Angola in recent months are the latest peace-keeping
operations undertaken by the United Nations since 1948. That was
the year of the UN Truce Supervision Organization, the first of
such operations, was established to supervise the cessation of
hostilities in Palestine. Since then over 20 operations have been
set up involving either observers, supervisors or peace-keeping
forces in Africa, the Mediterranean, Asia, Latin America, the
Caribbean and the Balkans.
Although the Charter of the UN does not contain the word
"peace-keeping", this term has been tacitly accepted by the
member states as referring to the undertakings by the Security
Council to dispatch peace-keepers in accordance with its central
role in the maintenance of international peace and security as
stipulated in the Charter.
The end of the cold war and the new developments in East-West
relations have facilitated the decision-making process in the
Security Council. During the cold war period, most of the peace-
keeping operations were established in connection with armed
conflicts of an international nature. Now peace-keeping
operations are undertaken in response to situations resulting
mostly from armed conflicts of an internal nature.
Setbacks endured by some peace-keeping operations have
overshadowed their successes, which were generally taken for
granted or not widely recognized by the international public.
Preventing the resumption, expansion or aggravation of a
conflict, peace-keeping operations carry out impartial
supervisions of cease-fires, armistice agreements and troop
withdrawals. Through their presence they personify the UN.
Though they have their shortcomings, it would be unfair to
state that peace-keeping operations are a futile exercise and not
worth establishing in the future. Peace-keeping operations have
only a limited mandate and they must carry out their missions
under strict operational procedures.
The size of their forces is limited and because they are
generally armed for defensive purposes only, they are not always
suited to face serious situations. Peace-keepers have had to
perform under difficult conditions and have performed their
duties admirably and with dedication. Imagine what would have
happened in the then Congo without the UN Force in the Congo or
in Cambodia without the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia.
Even if today's conflicts are eventually solved, the
possibility of new conflicts emerging, at the subregional or
national level particularly, should not be ruled out. Such
conflicts threaten regional stability and most cannot be solved
by the countries or organizations in the affected regions.
The efficiency and effectiveness of peace-keeping operations
should be constantly enhanced. The existence of stand-by armed
forces with appropriate training and ability to be called on with
short notice is essential.
For this purpose, the members of the UN should consider the
possibility of establishing special peace-keeping reserve forces.
This does not mean placing the members of such special units in
special camps to await their assignments as a peace-keeping
force. They could be selected from existing military units in the
countries concerned.
The peace-keeping mission would undergo special training and
the armed forces concerned would later be returned to their units
of origin. These trained military personnel could be reassembled
on short notice if required.
Such a system would enable governments to respond quickly to
the Secretary General's requests and make available qualified and
suitable military personnel without delay. A pocket-size booklet
containing essential and practical information on the country of
assignment could also be prepared for the members of the peace-
keeping force before their departure.
The UN, for their part, should constantly review peace-keeping
operational procedures to ensure that officers in the field take
urgent actions without losing too much time waiting for
clearance. Equally important is an efficient administrative
staff. The effectiveness of the operations will depend on such
staff, which should be recruited from the UN system and familiar
with the UN administrative procedures.
Peace-keeping operations are expensive. The costs vary from
"only" US$7 million, as in the case of the UN Mission in Haiti,
to $1,700 million spent in Cambodia. It is essential that the
major contributors to the UN budget be involved in the setting up
of peace-keeping operations to ensure their financing.
In spite of certain shortcomings and setbacks, the UN peace-
keeping operations have proven to be important instruments in the
maintenance of international peace and security. They will be
needed in the future and their importance will likely increase.
The writer is an observer of international affairs.