DATE=9/4/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N PEACEKEEPING / BRITAIN (L-O)
NUMBER=2-266130
BYLINE=WALTER WISNIEWSKI
DATELINE=LONDON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Britain is calling for a major change in U-N
peacekeeping operations around the world. A report
issued in London says the United Nations should have a
rapid reaction force on standby, ready to go into
action anywhere in the world on short notice. V-O-A's
Walter Wisniewski reports from London.
TEXT: British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook says
problems inherent in the U-N system of peacekeeping
have become - brutally evident - during the past few
years.
He says U-N peacekeeping efforts have been too slow
and inadequate - in the former Yugoslavia, in Rwanda,
and in other world hot spots, including Sierra Leone
where rebels held 500 U-N troops hostage earlier this
year.
Mr. Cook told British radio there should be a
permanent training center and headquarters unit for
peacekeepers - preferably in Britain - to keep
standards high and response time swift.
/// COOK ACT ///
We are urging that there should be a capacity
for an on-standby headquarters unit for
peacekeeping forces, certainly [able to be]
deployed rapidly, so we do not have to start,
every time, putting it together.
/// END ACT ///
Britain also is calling for an expanded Security
Council, to improve the U-N ability to confront
dictators and stop bloodshed around the world.
Foreign Secretary Cook says Latin America, Asia, and
Africa each should hold a permanent seat on the
Security Council.
/// 2ND COOK ACT ///
We focus here, first of all, on the need to
increase the authority of the Security Council,
by making sure it is more representative of the
General Assembly, of the world as it is today.
/// END ACT ///
Britain also is calling for permanent Security Council
seats for Germany and Japan.
The report, aimed at improving the way the United
Nations intervenes in conflicts around the world, has
the backing of Britain's ruling Labor Party and the
opposition Liberal Democrats.
The foreign-affairs spokesman for the Liberal
Democrats, Menzies Campbell, says continued U-S
participation in U-N programs is important.
/// CAMPBELL ACT ///
When the United States is actively engaged
[involved], then the effectiveness of the United
Nations in turn is vastly improved. And it is
equally correct to say that the Congress must
ensure that the United States pays its dues.
/// END ACT ///
Britain says the United Nations should change its
approach to peacekeeping, so it focuses more on
conflicts within countries rather than between
nations. This also would allow international forces
to intervene more quickly to prevent mass murder.
(SIGNED)
NEB/WTW/KL/RAE
04-Sep-2000 14:09 PM EDT (04-Sep-2000 1809 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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