RAPID DEPLOYMENT, REGIONAL COOPERATION, TIMELY REIMBURSEMENT FOR TROOP CONTRIBUTORS AMONG PEACEKEEPING ISSUES RAISED IN SPECIAL COMMITTEE

Special Committee on                                       

 Peacekeeping Operations                                   

177^th & 178^th Meetings (AM & PM)

RAPID DEPLOYMENT, REGIONAL COOPERATION, TIMELY REIMBURSEMENT FOR TROOP

CONTRIBUTORS AMONG PEACEKEEPING ISSUES RAISED IN SPECIAL COMMITTEE

With United Nations peacekeeping possibly facing the greatest expansion in its history, including 14 current missions and at least five more in the offing, the question was whether the Organization was poised to meet that challenge, the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations was told, as it concluded its general debate in two meetings today.

Pakistan’s representative, noting that United Nations peacekeeping was on the verge of a critical period, stressed the need to match the ever-increasing requirements of peacekeeping with the commensurate resources.  The conduct of peacekeeping operations needed to be driven by the unique requirements of each mission, not by any political or financial considerations.  Peacekeeping was an expansive task requiring resources and manpower, he said.

Speakers addressed a wide arrange of challenges facing peacekeeping operations and the maintenance of peace and security in the world, from rapid deployment, peace-building and cooperation between the United nations and regional and subregional organizations to rapid reimbursement to troop-contributing countries.  They paid tribute to those who had paid “the ultimate price” in the cause of peace.

Stressing the need to improve the rapid deployment capacity of both the United Nations and the troop-contributing countries, the representative of Bangladesh said that deployment of a complex operation within the envisaged 90-day rapid deployment time line had become increasingly difficult, as it depended on an entire chain of closely interlinked variables.  The size and number of missions at hand, simultaneous strategic air and sealift capacities from various ports, logistic preparedness of mission support elements or ready availability of Strategic Deployment Stocks were only the tip of the iceberg.  To identify early shortfalls, he suggested that potential troop-contributing countries submit national availability plans for peacekeeping operations in a given year.

The representative of India said that, while according the highest priority to the safety and security of United Nations peacekeepers and associated personnel, he did not subscribe to the position that a review of safety and security should necessarily end with a request for additional bodies or large sums of money.  Rather, he said, emphasis should be on enhancing the United Nations’ threat assessment and information-management capacities.  The question of accountability and responsibility in the area of field security was also a key issue.

South Africa’s representative said experience had shown that cooperation with regional structures could enhance the maintenance of international peace and security.  Certainly, the African Union had shown its commitment in that regard.  However, that active role by regional structures should not be perceived as absolving the United Nations of its responsibility.  She urged the Secretariat to continue its efforts aimed at enhancing regional initiatives.  The scope for regional peace operations was limited by the lack of funds and logistic capabilities.  Therefore, the international community should work out some strategies on how to enhance that cooperation with the provision of logistics and equipment.

Norway’s representative noted that peace operations were no longer only about keeping the peace, but just as much about peace-building, as exemplified by recent events in Kosovo.  The Department of Peacekeeping Operations must increase its planning capacity for the civilian dimensions of peacekeeping operations and other United Nations departments, funds, and agencies must contribute to peace-building.  The Department’s military planning capacity also needed to be strengthened.  The present number of staff was insufficient to follow up ongoing operations, as well as plan for new ones.

Many speakers, mainly from developing countries, addressed the need for –- and the lack of –- timely reimbursement for troop and equipment contributions.  Echoing those sentiments, the representative of Chile said an important part of troop contingents came from developing countries, which sometimes had financial and logistical problems.  Special attention must, therefore, be given to reimbursements to developing countries, and rapid deployment must be accompanied by the principle of rapid reimbursement,

The Special Committee was established by the General Assembly in 1965 to conduct a comprehensive review of all issues relating to peacekeeping.  It reports to the Assembly on its work through the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization), and it is comprised of 114 member States, mostly past or current contributors of peacekeeping personnel.

The representatives of Jordan, Bulgaria, Côte d’Ivoire, Turkey, Uganda, Nepal, Iran, Indonesia, Singapore, Syria, Ukraine, Guatemala, Thailand, Republic of Moldova, Senegal and El Salvador also spoke, as did representatives of observer StatesBurundi and THE Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and the Permanent Observer for the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

After the general debate, the Committee’s working group convened in closed session to hear briefings on best practices and public information.  The Committee will meet again in open meeting at a date to be announced.

Background

The 2004 session of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations met this morning to continue its debate.  For background on the reports before the Committee, please see Press Release GA/PK/177.

Statements

HARON HASSAN (Jordan) said his delegation had taken note of the Secretariat’s appeal to support its efforts to enhance the Department’s capacity in the area of the rule of law, particularly in the areas of justice and corrections.  While the two-person Rule of Law Unit should be expanded gradually, ultimately it should become a stand-alone department that would incorporate all the work that fell under the rule of law rubric.  Regarding the “over the horizon force”, his delegation wanted clarification regarding the criteria for deployment of the force -- the trigger -- and the decision-making process behind it, or who controlled the trigger.  He hoped the Secretariat would elaborate on the thinking behind establishing the force.

He also asked for clarification regarding the United Nations Standby Arrangements System and the mechanism to link troops from one MemberState to equipment from another or regional entities, including whether that mechanism affected countries with the obligation to contribute troops.  The commitment group continued to grow.  All Security Council members, especially the permanent members, had an obligation to ensure that peacekeeping missions were properly supported.  Contributing necessary equipment should not relieve Council members of their inherent obligation under the Charter to contribute troops.

The safety and security of United Nations personnel should be a top priority, he added.  The Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court had defined attacks on United Nations and humanitarian personnel as war crimes.  He proposed a stronger information capability that would provide the proper analysis of the area of operation and he reiterated the need to provide a light aerial reconnaissance unit to operate with troops and observers in the field at all times in dangerous operations.

Regarding the financial component of peacekeeping, all Member States must pay their assessed contributions in full, on time and without conditions, he said.  He expressed concern over the inability of the Contingent-Owned-Equipment Working Group to reach an agreement between the concerned parties on the matter regarding reimbursements.  Noting that the cooperation between the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) would help to ensure that the needs of women in peacekeeping operations would be more systematically addressed, he welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding to institutionalize that cooperation.

STEFAN TAFROV (Bulgaria) said the terrorist acts against the United Nations in Baghdad, as well as renewed violence in Kosovo, underlined the need to take urgent measures to overcome the gaps in the security of United Nations and associated personnel.  As an elected member of the Security Council, his country had co-sponsored resolution 1502 (2003) in which the Council had strongly condemned all forms of violence against United Nations personnel and had urged Member States to ensure that perpetrators of such crimes would not go unpunished.  Good intelligence was the best way to allow missions to prevent potential attacks and minimize risks.

He said adequate training of peacekeepers was a fundamental pre-condition for their security and for the success of missions.  Regional initiatives that allowed groups of countries to cooperate in training were promising.  Such forms of cooperation should be seen within existing structures of participating countries.  Peacekeeping operations could not take place without close cooperation between United Nations, regional and subregional organizations and other international agencies.  In 2003, the United Nations and the European Union had signed a Joint Declaration on Cooperation in Crisis Management.  Cooperation between United Nations and regional organizations according to Charter provisions also offered the best possibility for a rapid force deployment.

The rapid reimbursement of expenses of peacekeeping operations to smaller countries was very important.  In 2000, Bulgaria had voluntarily increased its contributions to the United Nations for peacekeeping, he said.

LOUIS ANGAH (Côte d’Ivoire) said his country was resolved to emerge from the greatest crisis in its history.  He was grateful to the United Nations and the international community for its agreement to devote personnel and resources to the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI).  Trusting that the deployment would take place as planned, he stressed the need for synergy among all the partners in the transition and the peace-building phases.  President Laurent Gbagbo was committed to implement the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement and Accra II, as well as relevant Council resolutions and to ensure the safety and security of personnel.

He praised the Secretary-General for his tireless efforts to apply the Committee’s recommendations.  United Nations peacekeeping operations could only benefit from the constant mobilization and attention of Member States, in proportion to their capacities.  Côte d’Ivoire reaffirmed its wish to participate in such work, as soon as it could.

The Organization remained the safe harbour of the human family and the only real guarantor of world peace, he said.  As the head of the family, the United Nations could delegate responsibility to regional and subregional organizations.  However, the United Nations must be able to promptly compensate for weaknesses in those organizations.  The United Nations could not evade the obligation of giving itself the resources for acting.  The use of resources in the framework of an integrated regional strategy would establish the conditions for coherence among the different components of the United Nations system.  Other considerations included the delay with which documentation was made available to delegations without English as the official language.  What could be done to ensure equal treatment among the official languages?

VIJAY K. NAMBIAR (India), aligning himself with the statement on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, accorded the highest priority to the safety and security of United Nations peacekeepers and associated personnel.  He did, however, not subscribe to the position that a review of the systems for safety and security should necessarily end with a request for additional bodies or large sums of money.  Rather, he said, emphasis should be on enhancing the United Nations’ threat-assessment and information-management capacities.  The question of accountability and responsibility in the area of field security was also a key issue.  While not disagreeing on the need for a safety and security focal point within the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, he said it would be desirable to first look at the Secretary-General’s report on the management of the United Nations security system, which was still in its draft stages.

He regretted that there had not been significant growth in levels of cooperation between the Security Council, the Secretariat and troop-contributing countries.  As mentioned, full deployment in 90 days was a difficult goal to attain.  There were only a few countries willing to sign on the dotted line.  It must be appreciated that, as in India, democratically-elected governments could not take decisions in an arbitrary way on participation without going through established procedures.  Dissemination of more timely and accurate information to troop-contributing countries on upcoming missions was necessary, backstopped by efficient management of the administrative and financial aspects, if deployments were to become truly effective and rapid.  He had the impression that the on-call lists for military and police were being somewhat underutilized.

As the role of civilian police in peacekeeping operations had expanded, he said coordination between the military and police division should be an integral part of the multi-disciplinary assessment teams that visit mission areas.  He supported the emphasis on small-scale and rapidly disbursed quick impact projects, which were quick and ready solutions to sustain confidence and support for peacekeeping operations.  Each mission’s budget should include a line for such projects from the beginning up to two years.

He said reimbursements continued to be linked to payments by Member States of their assessed contributions, and he encouraged States to do so on time and without conditions.  The expeditious liquidation of missions was of paramount importance, as they also involved speedy processing of claims, payment to troop-contributing countries, and closing of the account.  He said establishing dual mechanisms to “facilitate a more regular review of the administrative aspects of the Contingency Owned Equipment (COE) system” (paragraph 97 of the report), was futile.  The triennial review mechanism currently in place should suffice.  Regarding the United Nations Ration Scales review, he said a clear rationale, transparency in procedures and close consultation with troop-contributing countries must remain the bottom line.

BERRIS EKINCI (Turkey), aligning herself with the statement on behalf of the European Union, said her country’s experience in Afghanistan, Kosovo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, among other mission participation, had created a wealth of experience.  Aware of the increasing importance of a civilian police dimension in peacekeeping operations, her country was among the few countries to commit personnel to the police on-call list.  She stressed the importance of female representation in peacekeeping operations.

Welcoming the ongoing work of the Secretariat in formulating the Standardized Generic Training Module project, she said Turkey had established a full-fledged Peace for Partnership Training Centre in Ankara in 1998.  Her country would also co-sponsor with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations a civilian police peacekeeping regional training-of-trainers course for European police-contributing countries in June.  The seminar “Challenges of Change:  the Nature of Peace Operations in the 21^st Century and the Continuing Need for Reform”, organized by Turkey, in collaboration with the Folke Bernadotte Academy and the Swedish Foreign Ministry, had contributed to the ongoing debate on how to assemble efficient and complex peacekeeping schemes.

IFTEKHAR AHMED CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh) said 2004 would be yet another eventful year for United Nations peacekeeping.  The year had been marked with significant successes in enhancing the United Nations capacity to rapidly mount and manage multidimensional peacekeeping operations.  The prompt launching of a large and complex mission in Liberia testified to that claim.  A sustained implementation of the Brahimi reforms, along with prudent application of best practices and lessons learned, have made that possible.  Yet, there was little scope for complacency.  United Nations peacekeeping had reached a critical juncture with a “supply crunch” to be expected in 2004.  Unprecedented demands were being placed on troop-contributing countries’ resources and on those of the United Nations.  Bangladesh remained committed to continually equipping the United Nations to enhance its peacekeeping capacity, he said.

Fully deploying a complex operation within the 90-day rapid deployment time line envisaged by the Brahimi Panel was becoming increasingly difficult, as it depended on an entire chain of closely interlinked variables, he said.  The size and number of missions at hand, simultaneous strategic air and sealift capacities from various ports, logistical preparedness of mission support elements or ready availability of Strategic Deployment Stocks were only the tip of the iceberg.  Bangladesh, therefore, attached importance to further enhancing rapid-deployment capacities, personnel and material preparedness of both the United Nations and the troop-contributing countries.  One practical mechanism to identify early shortfalls during a given year could be for potential troop-contributing countries that had committed a brigade in the Standby Arrangements System and qualified personnel in the “on-call list” to submit a national availability plan of personnel and force multipliers for peacekeeping operations in a given year.  Bangladesh would be ready to volunteer in such an exercise.

The principle of complementarity of support by MemberStates, as well as regional entities, should apply as and when the situation called for it, he said.  The succession of a United Nations-mandated rapid and robust multinational or regional force by a robust United Nations peacekeeping force under clear mandate had already passed the litmus test of cost and benefit.  Bangladesh welcomed the steady progress in building the African Standby Force and urged donors to support African institutions to better respond to Africa’s need for conflict prevention and resolution.  All regional peace efforts must enjoy a clear and consensual United Nations mandate and consent of the parties, upholding the principles of universality, legitimacy and impartiality.  They must complement United Nations peacekeeping and not supplant them, with follow-on participation of willing and highly capable forces from all regions to contribute to global peace and security.

Greater joint investment by the United Nations and the troop-contributing countries in making well-trained personnel fully aware of the operational, moral and ethical conduct expected of them was critically important to the rapid deployment, credibility and image of a mission, he said.  As the role of civilian police became increasingly important in strengthening the rule of law and criminal justice chain, he called upon the Secretariat to support troop-contributing countries in specialized skill development of the civilian police personnel, including in French.  Bangladesh unequivocally supported a zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct.  However, he also attached equal importance to a fair trail for the peacekeeper.

The gruesome murder last year of two United Nations peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was testimony to the increasingly precarious security environments United Nations personnel were exposed to and the caveats in enforcement of international law.  More must be done to ensure safety, security and justice to United Nations and associated personnel.  An effective preventive measure would improve field intelligence and its use to protect United Nations personnel.  A credible show of force multipliers, supported by robust rules of engagement and a clear mandate, could deter the perpetrators.

He commended the Secretariat for frequently consulting with the troop-contributing countries throughout 2003, a hallmark of post-Brahimi reforms.  In mission planning, he recommended representation from the Department of Peacekeeping Operations during pre-deployment reconnaissance visits, particularly in the case of complex missions.  He also encouraged the Secretariat to maintain a pre-mandate time line in making available to potential troop-contributing countries key operational documents, including the draft threat assessments, concepts of operation and rules of engagement.  Bangladesh also wanted to see a revitalized engagement of the Council with the troop-contributing countries under the two existing mechanisms of private meetings and the joint meetings of working groups on peacekeeping.

Peacekeeping was not a substitute for sustainable peace and development, as it could only do so much with time-bound mandates and exit strategies, he said.  He called on all to invest generously from the planning stage of a mission in all areas, including the rule of law and security sector reform.  Incorporating gender mainstreaming could contribute to peace-building efforts.  To address the challenges to peacekeeping in 2004, a balance must be struck in greater understanding of the costs incurred by troop-contributing countries vis-à-vis the peacekeeping budget.  The developing countries shared more than 70 per cent of the physical burden and risks of peacekeeping by providing troops and contingent-owned equipment, particularly in Africa.  He urged constructive engagement by Member States in reviewing the rates in the Fifth Committee.

FRANCIS K. BUTAGIRA (Uganda), associating himself with the statement made on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, said it was clear that United Nations personnel and missions were becoming targets for attack and many lives and properties had been lost or were at stake.  There was, therefore, a need for enhancement of the security and safety of missions, especially for unarmed civilian personnel in the field.  He supported the appeal for a full-time security and safety focal point and establishment of a mission security management unit within the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.  Missions must be in a position to ensure the rule of law and keep the initiative, as noted by the Secretary-General, the mission must, if challenged, be able to “defend itself and its mandate”.  Added to that should be “defending the unarmed civilians”.

There was an urgent need to build African peacekeeping capabilities and capacities.  The largest numbers of refugees were in Africa, and out of the current 13 peacekeeping missions, five were in Africa.  Africa had shown its willingness to play its part in managing conflicts, but assistance from those countries who could do so had not been forthcoming.  African nations must be supported and institutions must be nurtured to achieve the required capabilities and capacities to realize their goals for peace.  The underlying causes of conflicts, and promotion of durable peace and sustainable development, must be addressed fully, he said in conclusion.

NARAYAN DEV PANT (Nepal), associating himself with the statement on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, said for peacekeeping missions to succeed, there had to be a seamless cooperation between the Secretariat and the troop-contributing countries.  The current practice of meetings with troop-contributing countries constituted a positive step forward, but more efforts were needed on the part of the Security Council and the Secretariat to hold such consultations with a substantive agenda and in a structured manner.  There was an imperative need for the Secretariat to consult with troop-contributing countries in the planning phase of new missions.

He said the Standby Arrangements needed further reinforcement to ensure that troops could be deployed at short notice and his country was willing to increase committed troops from 2,000 to 3,500.  He urged the United Nations to continue to help in equipment shortfalls, a problem confronted by a number of countries.  The success of complex peacekeeping operations depended, among other things, on a comprehensive strategy consisting of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, the rule of law, security sector reform and quick-impact projects.  In that context, he welcomed the creation of the Criminal Law and Judiciary Advisory Unit within the Civilian Police Division.  Due consideration should be given to the possibility of implementing quick impact projects in the initial phase of every complex peacekeeping mission.

Nepal recognized the need to maintain high moral standards for peacekeepers and had adopted a policy of least tolerance on matters concerning conduct and discipline, he said.  Regarding reimbursements, he said progress was snail-paced.  It was a matter of concern for his least-developed country.  The Secretariat must do everything possible to ensure that there was a fair geographical distribution in appointments in the peacekeeping areas of the United Nations, both at Headquarters and at missions.

HOSSEIN MALEKI (Iran) said the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security rested with the United Nations and the fulfilment of that huge task was heavily dependent on the successful operation of peacekeeping forces in different parts of the world.  Those operations, while not a substitute for a permanent solution, contributed to the restoration of peace and security.  Last year had witnessed significant progress in United Nations peacekeeping and a notable increase in activities in different parts of the world.

While all the areas identified in the report were important, comprehensive and inclusive training for United Nations peacekeeping personnel should receive higher priority, he said.  In that regard, establishing a training advisory group, as well as developing an evaluation methodology and monitoring system for evaluating and monitoring the results of peacekeeping training, should be considered during the current discussion.  As a new troop contributor, Iran supported United Nations peacekeeping operations and was willing to support troop, civilian police and other personnel, as well as materiel support.  He strongly supported the central role of the United Nations in all peacekeeping operations.  The United Nations responsibility, as the sole universal body, was not changeable.  In the case of “robust” peacekeeping, the responsibility for leading an operation by another organization should be endorsed and assigned by the United Nations.

He also welcomed the United Nations review of its systems and procedures for safety and security to develop better capacities to prevent and manage threats by improving the mechanisms for gathering information in the field, as well as the ability to use that information effectively.  Iran supported the deployment of HIV/AIDS policy advisers in all major peacekeeping operations.  Training could play a significant role in a rapid and professionalized peacekeeping operation.  He supported the Department of Peacekeeping Operations’ approach to assisting troop-contributing countries to enhance their training efforts for more efficient participation in peacekeeping operations.

JOHAN LØVALD (Norway) said United Nations peacekeeping was facing two challenges, namely the increased demand for United Nations-led operations, especially in Africa, and the fact that United Nations peacekeepers were operating in a more threatening environment.  There were two ways to respond to those challenges, including strengthening the United Nations own capacity and by intensifying cooperation with other organizations.  Enhanced intelligence capacity in the United Nations for analysing filed information was needed, in order to protect mission personnel.  He supported the Secretary-General’s request for a full-time security and safety focal point and the establishment of a mission security management unit with the Department.

Peace operations were no longer only about keeping the peace, but just as much about peace-building, he said.  Recent events in Kosovo exemplified the hurdles in that process.  The Department of Peacekeeping Operations must increase its planning capacity for the civilian dimensions of peacekeeping operations and other United Nations departments, funds, and agencies must contribute to peace-building.  The Department’s military planning capacity also needed to be strengthened.  The present number of staff was insufficient to follow up ongoing operations, as well as plan for new ones.  The High Readiness Brigade was making a contribution in that regard.  It had made a significant contribution to the establishment of headquarters for the United Nations mission in Liberia and a similar role could be foreseen in the Sudan.

The new challenges related to peacekeeping underlined the importance of smooth cooperation between the various organizations and with ad hoc coalitions in charge of such operations, he said.  All United Nations-mandated operations served the same purpose, namely to contribute to peace and security.  The role envisaged for the African Union in establishing the planned mission in Burundi was an example of that positive trend.  The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was currently in the process of finalizing a paper on strengthening its relations with the United Nations on capability and operational issues.  The African Union’s decision to embark on a process of establishing an African Standby Force was a major step forward for African peacekeeping.

Training was greatly important to the successful implementation of operations, he continued.  Operations in the field must have a common understanding of their roles, as well as commensurable levels of competence.  Pre-deployment training was vital for ensuring that personnel from different troop-contributing countries functioned well together in the field.  Changing the command and control concept at the operational level could also enhance efficiency.  The Force Commander/Chief Military Observer should be given greater authority to operate within given parameters.  The objective would be to establish unity of command, as it was an indispensable principle of any military operation.  The structure of the chain of command was critical to the success of a military mission, because it established legitimacy, authority, responsibilities and accountability at all levels.

The Brindisi Logistics Base, with its Strategic Deployment Stocks, played a crucial role in enhancing the rapid deployment capability of peacekeeping operations, he said.  Stocks should be replenished regularly to meet the demands of future operations.  Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and justice and security sector reform were key elements in multidimensional operations.  Developments in Afghanistan and Iraq demonstrated the importance of a well-functioning security sector as a precondition for stability.  Civilian police had a vital role to play in that regard.  The rule of law was indispensable to peace and he welcomed efforts to strengthen the United Nations capacity in that regard.  Proper conduct was fundamental to ensuring that peacekeepers fulfilled their functions and that mission mandates were implemented. 

He welcomed the Secretary-General’s intention to deploy HIV/AIDS policy advisers in all major peacekeeping operations and fully supported the objective of making peacekeeping personnel “agents of change”.  Norway greatly appreciated the work being done by the gender adviser in the DPKO and looked forward to the recruitment process being completed promptly.  The gender adviser was key to ensuring that the gender dimension was included at the beginning of the process when planning new operations.  A single adviser, however, was only a first step.  The position would need to be further strengthened and upgraded.

PRAYONO ATIYANTO (Indonesia), aligning himself with the statement on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, said in meeting the increasing demand for United Nations peacekeeping, it was important to stress that there could be no delay in the involvement of both the North and the South in sharing responsibilities.  As a troop-contributing country, Indonesia was interested in enhancing the safety and security of peacekeeping personnel.  He “identified with” the Secretary-General’s request for a post of personnel conduct officer in each mission.  It was important that cases of misconduct, including sexual abuse and exploitation of women, must attract adequate monitoring and action.  Investigations of misconduct, however, must involve the troop-contributing countries from the beginning until the closure of cases.

Multidimensional peacekeeping operations had come to stay, he said, and peacekeepers must now work closely with a rainbow of experts, including humanitarian, gender and judicial personnel, to ensure the success of a given mandate.  There must continue to be clear coordination between relevant organs and the offices of the United Nations in planning and implementation.  The Secretariat, the funds and programmes of the United Nations, and the specialized agencies functioned best and achieved most when they cooperated, rather than competed.

Stressing the continued importance of training and preparation, he said the Secretariat’s recent pre-deployment use of the “just-in-time” strategy was to be welcomed as an exercise in creative thinking to prepare and sensitize personnel that were about to be deployed on a mission.  Regarding reimbursements, he said if the Secretariat was able to meet the target of the Committee for Programme and Coordination to reimburse troop costs within four months from their due date, a tremendous step would have been taken towards breaking the existing backlog, and in encouraging troop contributors.

BONGIWE QWABE (South Africa), aligning herself with the statement on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, said her country was one of those that had written to the Security Council to seek more cooperation between the Security Council and the troop-contributing countries prior to the adoption of mandates of peacekeeping missions.  Troop-contributing countries, based on their experiences, could provide helpful insights into the planning of a mission, and consultations would also address the Council’s tendency to make decisions without including those who were politically involved a conflict, as well as those on whose shoulders major financial burdens were placed.

Experience had shown that cooperation with regional structures could enhance the maintenance of international peace and security.  Certainly, the African Union had shown its commitment in that regard, she said.  However, that active role by regional structures should not be perceived as absolving the United Nations of its responsibility.  She urged the Secretariat to continue its efforts aimed at enhancing regional initiatives.  The scope for regional peace operations was limited by the lack of funds and logistic capabilities.  Therefore, the international community should work out some strategies on how to enhance that cooperation with the provision of logistics and equipment.

Noting the upsurge in disciplinary cases in the field of operation, she said the root causes of those were often attributed to different challenges facing the contingents in the field, including the loss of loved ones, lack of communication with families, or depression.  To address that problem, her country had started to deploy counselors with its troops, resulting in a decrease in disciplinary cases and more motivated personnel.  She proposed, therefore, that the Special Committee should give consideration to demanding that troop-contributing countries include counselors in their deployments.

MUNIR AKRAM (Pakistan) said the United Nations was on the verge of a critical period in the area of peacekeeping.  Currently the United Nations was fielding 14 peacekeeping missions worldwide and at least five new missions would be deployed in the next few months.  It would be, perhaps, the greatest expansion in the history of United Nations peacekeeping.  The question that must be asked was whether the United Nations was ready to meet the challenges and what could be done to better support operations.  Peacekeeping was an expansive task, requiring resources and manpower.  While the requirements of peacekeeping were ever increasing, they were not always matched by the necessary resources.  The conduct of peacekeeping operations needed to be driven by the unique requirements of each mission, not by any political or financial considerations.

Peacekeeping should not be a stopgap measure, but a comprehensive solution that also addressed underlying causes including economic and human exploitation, he said.  Getting the entry strategy right was far more critical than identifying any exit strategy.  Mandates must not be terminated prematurely before a durable solution had been found.  Haiti was a case in point.  The role of troop-contributing countries was also important and their concerns should be considered.  In that regard, he stressed the importance of training as an increasingly critical element in peacekeeping operations.  It was important to tap the experience of the major troop contributors with considerable peacekeeping background.  While he appreciated efforts to improve the processing of claims for troop and equipment costs, he hoped that efforts would continue to clear some of the backlogs.  He was concerned that the Contingent-Owned Equipment Working Group had been unable to reach any agreement.

Continuing, he said the Special Committee should explore ways to improve the safety and security of peacekeepers in the field.  Recent incidents had shown how the lack of timely information and intelligence could lead to tragic consequences.  Experience had shown that “robust rules of engagement” were the best deterrent against any spoilers or would-be attackers.  Pakistan had been a leading advocate of triangular cooperation between the troop-contributing countries, the Council and the Secretariat.  While the briefings in the private meetings of the Council and the troop-contributing countries were useful, they did not fully cover the concerns of contributors.

Pakistan remained committed to peacekeeping operations, not only as a contributor, but also as a host of one of the oldest peacekeeping operations, namely the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).  The time was ripe to substantially strengthen that mission to enable it to assist in the ongoing peace process, as well as the protection of human rights in Kashmir.  It was an historic opportunity that the United Nations must not miss.

TAN YORK CHOR (Singapore) said the Committee was meeting at a time when challenges to United Nations peacekeeping were manifold.  With new missions on the horizon, the United Nations commitment to peacekeeping was likely to further increase.  At the same time, the security environments in which the United Nations operated had become more perilous, and threats to the safety and security of United Nations personnel had made them more vulnerable than ever.  The United Nations needed to ensure that the necessary security and safety measures were quickly put in place and that Member States were kept fully informed.  There was merit to the Secretary-General’s request for a full-time security and safety focal point and the establishment of a mission security management unit within the DPKO.

While much had been done since the landmark Brahimi report, efforts to improve the effectiveness of peacekeeping must be continued, he said.  The “robustness” of peacekeeping operations must continue to be a focus.  Many factors contributed to “robustness”, including the provision of well-trained peacekeepers.  A well-equipped peacekeeping force with enabling capabilities was another.  A clear understanding of the need for “robustness” was yet another.  Truly collective responsibility in the maintenance of international peace and security could only come about when both developing and developed countries contributed.  At a time when the need for robust peacekeeping had gown, the international community must find ways to ensure enhanced North-South participation in United Nations peacekeeping.

In some circumstances, United Nations peacekeepers might not be the most appropriate instruments, he said.  In those instances, multinational forces authorized by the Council might be better placed to do the job.  In that context, he supported the United Nations efforts to enhance cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations and to enhance Africa’s peacekeeping capacity.  Nevertheless, the conduct of peacekeeping operations should not be divested wholesale to regional organizations.  Also, the Organization should be wary of applying one model to all regions.

An effective peacekeeping mission was frequently also an integrated one, he said.  The complex and multidimensional nature of today’s peacekeeping operations required that the various components of a field mission worked closely together towards the attainment of overall objectives.  The Department of Peacekeeping Operations’ efforts to enhance integration among the various programmes and departments was encouraging.  In terms of training, he was pleased to see the Department’s efforts, such as the establishment of a training advisory group to develop an integrated training policy and strategy and to coordinate the training activities of its military, civilian police and civilian components.  He looked forward to the establishment of integrated mission training centres in all missions.

In today’s security environments, effective information management and analysis capabilities could also be crucial to the success of missions and the safety and security of United Nations personnel, he said.  The United Nations must develop better capacities to prevent and manage threats by improving mechanisms to gather information.  In that respect, Singapore welcomed the establishment of joint mission analysis cells.  He welcomed developments in the area of justice and the rule of law, including the development of an active rule of law framework and the establishment of the Criminal Law and Judicial Advisory Unit.  Additional resources were needed in that area.

FAYSSAL MEKDAD (Syria), aligning himself with the statement on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, said peacekeeping operations had proved their effectiveness in fulfilling their mandates and had proved they were vital to meeting the challenges posed to world peace and security.  Successes included Kosovo, Georgia, Ethiopia and Eritrea, Timor-Leste and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  He hoped that peacekeeping operations would be extended to neglected conflict areas, such as Somalia.  In the Middle East, United Nations peacekeeping still played a role in a responsible manner.  He commended the existing good relations between the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and Syrian officials.

Peacekeeping operations were not an alternative to lasting solutions to a conflict but were a temporary measure, he said.  Unfortunately, in the Middle East, peacekeeping operations were measured by decades, because of the aggressive policies of Israel.  Recalling the attack on Ein El Saheb on 5 October 2003, he said that blatant violation was not an isolated incident.  Prior to that attack, a Syrian police officer had been shot.  An investigation had shown that there had been no justification for that crime.  Syria had turned to the United Nations, as the appropriate place to deal with the matter.

He affirmed the need for peacekeeping operations to abide by their mandates and by the basic principles of the Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.  He supported enhancement of the security and safety of peacekeepers and stressed the importance of the triangular partnership between the Secretariat, the Security Council and troop-contributing countries.

ANDRIY BESHTA (Ukraine) said if peacekeeping was to remain an effective instrument of the United Nations, the Security Council, MemberStates and the Secretariat had to work closely together in order to meet the challenges.  Supporting United Nations peacekeeping, his country had been among the major troop-contributing countries of the last four years and the single largest troop-contributing country in Europe.  Welcoming the development of new types of partnerships and arrangements between the United Nations and a number of regional and subregional organizations in the area of peacekeeping, he called on the international community to continue to support efforts of the African Union to strengthen its peacekeeping capacities.

He said the central element of any peacekeeping operations must be to ensure adequate levels of security and safety for its personnel.  He called on those States who had not done so to ratify or accede to the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associate Personnel as soon as possible.  He supported strengthening and expanding the legal regime of protection for United Nations and associated personnel under that Convention, as well as the need for better information-gathering and analysis in the field aimed at preventing and managing the threats to peacekeeping personnel.

The latest experience had shown that meeting the objectives of deployment within 30/90 days were still far from being met.  Financial and logistical problems remained major obstacles to meeting the goals.  It was, therefore, important to continue to look for ways to ensure timely reimbursement to troop-contributing countries for troops and contingent-owned equipment.  His country had been providing hundreds of armoured personnel carriers and heavy cargo trucks, including maintenance and training in operation, to peacekeeping contingents of other countries in the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL).

MONICA BOLANOS-PEREZ (Guatemala) said the Department of Peacekeeping Operations was facing a time of important challenges and reforms.  Progress had been made in the design of structures to strengthen the Department’s capacity, but a great deal remained to be done, given the increase in the demand for United Nations peacekeeping.  The Organization’s capacity to manage information could be further improved.  She welcomed the signing in November 2003 of the memorandum of understanding on the Standby Force Arrangements.

Rapid deployment was a fundamental concept in the Brahimi report, she added.  In that regard, she welcomed the process of consultations with Member States and invited the Secretariat to continue the process.  The safety and security of United Nations personnel was another major subject, and her delegation encouraged the Department to work with the Office of the Security Coordinator to make further progress.  She reiterated her country’s readiness to work in the Special Committee to improve the peacekeeping system.  Any effort in the field would enhance the credibility and legitimacy of the United Nations in the fulfilment of one of its critical functions.

HERALDO MUÑOZ (Chile) aligning himself with the statements made on behalf of the Rio Group and the Non-Aligned Movement, said peacekeeping operations were one of the most relevant responsibilities in the multilateral field.  Successes and changes that had occurred in security on a global scale showed the need to broaden and make more effective the measures contained in Chapters VI and VII of the Charter.  Over the last decade, doctrines and principles had been formulated, such as humanitarian intervention and preventive diplomacy.

He said peacekeeping operations needed to be considered as elements of an integral process, which also included efforts to prevent conflict, humanitarian assistance, promotion of human rights and promotion of social development, among other things.  Lasting peace required a rapid deployment capability for the United Nations.

Since the beginning of peacekeeping operations, Chile had participated in many missions.  Over the last decade, due to legislative changes, its participation had been broadened, providing police personnel and medical teams in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  After adoption of resolution 1529, Chile had deployed a battalion in Haiti.  One of the key components to the success of a peacekeeping operation was the appropriate mandate for a mission.  In that regard, ongoing consultations between the United Nations and the troop-contributing countries were important, he said, and encouraged the Secretariat to continue with the current trend of consultation.

An important part of troop contingents came from developing countries, which sometimes had financial and logistical problems.  Special attention must be given to reimbursements to developing countries.  Rapid deployment must be accompanied by the principle of rapid reimbursement, he said.  Post-conflict reconstruction combined the responsibilities of the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and international financial institutions.  There was, therefore, a need to find operational means for coordination among those organizations.  No policies could produce more positive results than those that included conflict prevention.   In that regard, an early warning system was a matter of necessity.

Colonel SAKDA SANGSNIT (Thailand) said the expanded field of peacekeeping activities, with its enlarged budget, would dramatically increase the financial responsibilities of Member States.  It was, therefore, important that the Secretariat be able to demonstrate its ability to carry out peacekeeping in a cost-effective manner.  In that regard, establishment of a review mechanism, whereby peacekeeping were evaluated on a regular basis, could be considered.

He supported efforts to enhance United Nations capacity to deploy more rapidly.  Where possible, United Nations deployment should be a pre-emptive measure to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control.  The Department of Peacekeeping Operations could benefit from closer cooperation with regional coalitions in providing the Organization with well-trained, rapidly deployable and cohesive multinational forces, such as the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) in Timor-Leste and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Liberia.  The regional coalition could support the Department of Peacekeeping Operations both in planning for new missions and as part of an initial/interim United Nations force headquarters, until replacement by United Nations regular staff.

Unity of command and cooperation between the Force Commander and the Chief Administrative Officer were vital to the success of a mission, he said.  Security was also an important aspect of peacekeeping operations and should be considered from the initial preparation during an integrated planning process.  Precise and updated information was necessary for the troop-contributing countries at its initial preparation for the individual soldier in his home country.  He would like to see more openness and information-sharing between the Secretariat and the MemberStates in that regard.

ALEXANDER CUJBA (Republic of Moldova) said challenges for peacekeeping activities included increased demand, particularly in Africa, ways and methods of cooperation with peacekeeping partners, and enhancing safety and security of United Nations personnel.  Even though peacekeeping could not be a substitute for permanent solutions and it could not resolve the primary causes of conflicts, efforts must be redoubled to use a small window of opportunity to help consolidate the seeds of peace that had germinated in some of the most conflict-ridden parts of the world.

He said regional organizations had offered unique and complementary capabilities in peacekeeping, and he supported the DPKO recommendations to expand and deepen its contacts with regional partners.  It must be ensured that available peacekeeping resources were used in the most beneficial manner possible.  In that regard, he welcomed the considerable advancement made in strengthening the United Nations Standby Arrangements System (UNSAS) for military, police and civilian personnel.

Despite the fact that the ability of his country to contribute effectively to peacekeeping operations had been impeded by financial constraints, it had made considerable steps in improving the situation.  It was considering strengthening its contribution to peacekeeping by concluding a Memorandum of Understanding and providing national troops to UNSAS.  His country had made substantial payments to the United Nations budgets within the last three years.  He reaffirmed the Republic of Moldova’s commitment to pay its assessed contributions in full and on time.

MALICK THIERNO SOW (Senegal) said that the safety and security of United Nations personnel remained one of the major concerns of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.  He was awaiting the publication of the global assessment of United Nations management for the security and safety of United Nations bodies.  In the face of many threats, it was indispensable to have a preliminary evaluation of the situation.  It was also desirable to assess progress in the development of the Organization’s capability to prevent future attacks.  He strongly urged the Peacekeeping Department to persevere in efforts to address that scourge.  He supported the Secretary-General’s recommendation that the policy of safety and security be further rationalized.  Senegal had signed and ratified the Convention on the Safety and Security of United Nations and Associated Personnel in 1999.

He supported the new approach by which disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) programmes were examined in the framework of an integrated and regional approach, he said.  He was eager to see if that option was feasible.  West Africa had three simultaneous peacekeeping operations in countries with shared borders.  In view of the complex and multidimensional nature of cross border issues and to create conditions for development, he encouraged the Department to encourage the deployment of multidisciplinary peacekeeping operations.

The restoration of the rule of law could not be accomplished through some algebraic formula, he said.  Any viable long-term programme for reconstruction must include the establishment of peace, political stability and a basis for good governance.  It was also necessary to strengthen capacities for the protection of human rights in countries emerging from conflict to promote national reconciliation.  He was awaiting the Secretary-General’s report on the role of the United Nations in the promotion of justice and the rule of law.

It was vital, he said, to strengthen Africa’s capacities for training    vis-à-vis peacekeeping operations, so it could participate and contribute more effectively.  He was pleased to note the contributions of industrialized countries and others to promote the prevention and peacekeeping capacities of African countries.  He welcomed the development by the DPKO of a coordinated and integrated approach on the questions of training, methodology and follow-up.  He also took note of the prospect of developing in 2004 a civilian personnel training strategy.  The impact of information in peacekeeping operations need not be proven.  He strongly encouraged the Department to take measures in coordination with the Department of Public Information (DPI) to develop programmes commensurate with the challenges ahead.  He would support any recommendation to allocate more resources for that purpose.

Colonel HECTOR CELARIE (El Salvador), aligning himself with the statement made by Brazil on behalf of the Rio Group and Uruguay’s statement, said his country had studied the possibility of increasing its contributions to peacekeeping operations and had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to identify resources his Government could make available to that end.  The most important role of the Organization was to preserve peace.  In the past decade, his country had become an example for other Member States, as it had implemented successfully the peace agreement signed in 1992 after a decade of internal conflict.

His Government had the necessary political determination to provide support to the Organization and hoped to actively take part in its operations, he said.   Soldiers and policemen of his country had acquired a number of skills, as well as the moral condition necessary to make them ready to participate.  Equal opportunities for men and women were important.  Women officers were trained in its armed forces and would, perhaps, one day take part in United Nations’ efforts to preserve peace in the world.  He deplored and condemned any attacks against United Nations and associated personnel.

MARC NTETURUYE (Burundi) first turned to the issue of rapid deployment, saying that a mission sent too early or too late might fail to meet its objective.  It was important to estimate the right time to deploy a mission.  To do that, operational preparations must be conducted expeditiously and that deserved the special attention of the Security Council and the Secretary-General.  Regarding the recruitment of civilian police and peacekeeping troops, it was clear that there were not enough police and soldiers for peacekeeping missions.  In that connection, he proposed that the United Nations recruit in countries that were in the process of demobilizing and reducing the size of their armies or police forces.  The United Nations could benefit from the presence of peacekeeping operation in a country to recruit and provide in situ training, if necessary.  An offer of employment for ex-combatants could, among other things, contribute to voluntary demobilization.

The DDR operation was the most delicate stage in the peace process, he said.  The United Nations was virtually alone in having expertise in that field.  The DDR programmes could only succeed if they were done in conjunction with other aspects of the peace process, such as judicial reform, and could only be handled in partnership with United Nations peacekeeping missions and other specialized agencies of the United Nations system.  On the rule of law, he said that no solution could be applicable to every situation.  Every case had its own characteristics.  The conflicts, such as those in Burundi and the Great Lakes region, were such that it was difficult to imagine reconciliation without the restoration of truth and justice.  That point was not given enough attention in the United Nations.  At least, that was the impression in Burundi.  Lasting peace in Burundi was not possible without justice.  A possible peacekeeping mission in Burundi, which would not facilitate the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, would have little chance of success.

On the issue of discipline and AIDS, he said that the behaviour of peacekeeping personnel would determine the relations among government, the population and the peacekeeping mission itself.  Offences committed against the population could harm the credibility of a mission, as could the spread of AIDS, as a result of the behaviour of peacekeepers.  A rapid impact project, conducted through the peacekeeping operation, could create a special relationship of trust and could be more effective than a public information campaign conducted through the media.

Turning to some of the questions raised by the Secretary-General in the introduction of his report, he said that certain peacekeeping operations, especially in Africa, had serious problems regarding troops and financial and logistical resources.  That was because rich countries had stopped sending their troops and did not give sufficient means to developing countries, which had volunteered their own troops.  Where big Powers had their own interests, the resources were not lacking.

While the Security Council had the primary responsibility for the maintenance and the restoration of international peace and security, he noted that the Council had hesitated and encouraged regional organizations to deploy their own resources without giving them the financial and logistic means they needed.  Regional organizations could only be involved in relatively easy situations and for a short period of time.  The ECOWAS in West Africa was an example to follow.  But, in the Africa of the Great Lakes, the nature of the conflict was such that it would be risky to send troops from bordering countries.

JOSE ANTONIO LINATI-BOSCH, Observer for the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, said that there was no doubt that cooperation with regional arrangements, financial problems such as reimbursement, and the importance of ensuring credibility through professional conduct by peacekeepers remained fundamental challenges faced by United Nations peacekeeping.  He praised the Handbook on United Nations Multi-Dimensional Peacekeeping Operations, issued by the DPKO, which provided a very full response to those complex issues. 

The safety and security of personnel must be considered as one of the crucial aspects of peacekeeping operations, he said.  The Sovereign Order had stated its concern about the lack of security for its doctors and humanitarian personnel.  He insisted that the Order’s humanitarian personnel, as well as its medical units, transport, emblems and signs, be protected by the United Nations when the Organization required its participation, and that that protection be included in the framework of the peacekeeping operations’ mandates.

He said that disarmament, demobilization and reintegration were not possible without social and economic support.  To address the criminal and shadow economies created during conflict, improved law enforcement and judicial reform were required.  It would eventually be imperative to include those measures in the mandates of United Nations peacekeeping operations.

PAK GIL YON (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea), associating himself with the statement on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, said due to the high-handedness and arbitrariness prevalent in international relations, the principles of justice and fairness were often disregarded and the principle of sovereign equality was shaken to its very foundation.  Recently, there had been a grave situation whereby the internal affairs of a sovereign State had been violated by force.  Such “doctrine of strength” disturbed the international order.  The current situation demanded that peacekeeping operations be performed fully in line with the mission and role mandated by the international community.

He said to make peacekeeping operations healthy and successful, activities should be carried out based on the principles of respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.  It was important to prevent peacekeeping operations from being used by a certain country for its own political purpose.  United States troops in South Korea, which did not receive any instruction and financial assistance from the United Nations, were still using the name and flag of the Organization for more than half a century after the conclusion of the Armistice Agreement in Korea.  The United States troops in South Korea were, in fact, aggressive forces and were the root cause of the division of Korea.  Withdrawal of United States forces from South Korea had today become an urgent demand.

The nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula was also an outcome of the unilateral power politics.  The present reality showed that abandonment of the United States hostile policy to stifle the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was key to peace on the Korean peninsula.  The United States negative stand towards the recent round of six-way talks in Beijing had disappointed people and had raised many questions.  The United States had responded with a joint military exercise in South Korea.  It was impossible to sit face to face with a party carrying a dagger in its belt.  The increased military threat the United States posed to the Democratic People’s Republic, whiling away time with lip-service to “dialogue”, would only compel his country to strengthen its nuclear deterrent force both in quality and quantity as a corresponding measure.  No one could take issue with that measure for self-defence, he said.

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