Military

DATE=11/13/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N / PEACEKEEPING (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-269177

BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United Nations Security Council has pledged to establish clear guidelines for international peacekeeping missions. V-O-A Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United Nations.

TEXT: The Council was reacting to a special report on U-N peacekeeping that was released in late August. The report, prepared at the request of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, made a number of recommendations, several of which have now been adopted by the Security Council.

Included is a commitment to give peacekeeping missions clear and achievable mandates with definite rules on the use of force. There was widespread criticism early this year when U-N peacekeepers in Sierra Leone seemed unwilling or unable to deal effectively with rebels who were trying to disrupt the U-N mission.

The Security Council also calls for better advance planning of peacekeeping missions and a more rapid deployment of troops once they have been authorized by the Council.

United States representative James Cunningham told the Council it is essential that the United Nations run effective peacekeeping operations.

/// CUNNINGHAM ACT ///

There is no doubt that U-N peacekeeping remains at the core of this institution's responsibilities. Whether peacekeeping succeeds or fails will be the ultimate standard by which the world will judge the U-N.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Cunningham pointed out that there have been 53 U-N peacekeeping missions since 1948, with 35 of them in the past decade and 15 currently in operation.

Although the Security Council gave broad endorsement for changes in U-N peacekeeping, it did not take a position on changes in the financing of peacekeeping. The Council also took no position on the establishment of so-called "standby forces" that would be ready for immediate deployment. The special report on peacekeeping said there must be a reliable financing system and suggested creation of "standby forces." (Signed)

NEB/UN/BA/LSF/JWH