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Pak Army sending fresh contingent to Liberia

UN peacekeeping missions involving Pakistan covers a long and cherished history of Pakistani involvement with the United Nations. Pakistan joined the United Nations on 30 September, 1947. Since 1960, Pakistan has been actively involved in most of the UN Peacekeeping missions and today stands at the top with 10,175 troops and observers serving in current missions. Some of the major contributions were in Somalia, Sierra Leone, Bosnia, Congo and Liberia.
 
Best wishes for pak army brothers, wherever they go under UN they prove them better then others. pak army zindabad.
 
On golden anniversary, Ban lauds Pakistan’s contribution to UN peacekeeping

Members of the Pakistani Formed Police Unit serving with the UN Mission in Haiti

26 April 2011 – As Pakistan celebrates 50 years of participation in United Nations peacekeeping, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed the dedication of the troops, police and civilian personnel who play a crucial role in helping people around the world recover from war.

“Peacekeeping is a credit to us thanks to the fine work of our troop-contributing countries – Pakistan a leader among them,” Mr. Ban said last night in remarks at the opening of a photo exhibition celebrating 50 years of Pakistan’s participation in UN peacekeeping.

He noted that Pakistan’s contribution has been consistent ever since the first Pakistani peacekeeper served in the Congo 50 years ago. Pakistanis have served in 38 missions worldwide. They are involved now in nine of the UN’s most dangerous operations, with large contingents in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia.

“The numbers tell only part of the story. The other part is played out in the lives of people recovering from war,” Mr. Ban told the gathering, held at Pakistan’s Mission to the UN.

From the women who are treated by female members of Pakistan’s medical unit to children who play football on fields constructed by Pakistani troops, the services rendered by brave Pakistani troops, police and civilian personnel deserve profound gratitude, said the Secretary-General.

At the same time, “this great contribution comes at a great cost,” Mr. Ban added, noting that 122 Pakistani military, police and civilian personnel have lost their lives while serving the Organization.

“They are sons and daughters of Pakistan … but they are also members of the United Nations family. We mourn their deaths. We remember their lives. And we vow to carry forward their valiant work for peace.”


News Tracker: past stories on this issue

Pakistani doctors arrive in Darfur to boost UN-AU force, set up hospital for civilians
 
Prime Minister Gilani inaugurates photo exhibition Spirit of Peace

Rawalpindi: A photo exhibition “Sprit of Peace” to commemorate 50 years of Pakistan’s contribution to UN peacekeeping mission is being organized at Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA), Islamabad. The exhibition will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on 28 July 2011 and will remain open for general public from 29-31 July 2011.

The inauguration ceremony will also be attended by representatives of Armed Forces, Civil Armed Force, Police, Diplomats, ex Pakistani officials of senior appointments in UN Peacekeeping Missions besides UN officials, media personnel, injured soldiers, next of kin of UN Shuhada and youth from Balochistan and FATA. United Nations Peacekeeping Department is sending a special representative from New York to attend the exhibition. Pakistan permanent Envoy to United Nations Mr Abdullah Hussain Haroon will also be present on the occasion.

A similar kind of photo exhibition was arranged by Pakistan Mission to the UN at UN Headquarters, New York in April this year. The UN Secretary General Mr. Bani-Ki-moon, Chief Guest on the occasion, greatly appreciated Pakistan’s significant contributions to UN Peacekeeping Missions across the world, adding that this had brought credibility to the world body.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan has been at the forefront of United Nations efforts to maintain international peace and security by contributing significantly to UN Peacekeeping. Pakistan has hitherto participated in 41 UN Peacekeeping Missions and has been part of some of the most challenging international conflicts. Since 2006 Pakistan remains the largest troop contributing country with over 10,623 personnel presently deployed in eight peacekeeping missions.

This constitutes approximately 11% of the total UN peacekeeping deployment. Till to date, 126 Pakistani peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives out of over 130,000 soldiers deployed so far for the noble cause of helping humanity, building peace and bringing stability across the regions under the banner of United Nations with almost an equal number of Pakistani peacekeepers wounded over five decades during peacekeeping assignments. Pakistan Army understands the cost of peace and is always prepared for any sacrifice for the sake of national as well as international peace and security.

Prime Minister Gilani inaugurates photo exhibition Spirit of Peace - AsiaNet Pakistan

this is being followed at:
http://www.defence.pk/forums/current-events-social-issues/122345-spirit-peace-photo-exhibition.html

do contribute and pay tribute to the brave soldiers that bring good name to our flag!

regards!
 
here are a few interesting reads for those who want to have an over view of Pakistan's involvement in UN peace keeping missions:

UN peacekeeping missions involving Pakistan covers a long and cherished history of Pakistani involvement with the United Nations. Pakistan joined the United Nations on 30 September, 1947. Since 1960, Pakistan has been actively involved in most of the UN Peacekeeping missions and today stands at the top with 10,175 troops and observers serving in current missions. Some of the major contributions were in Somalia, Sierra Leone, Bosnia, Congo and Liberia.

Peacekeeping, as defined by the United Nations, is a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace. UN peacekeepers—soldiers and military officers, civilian police officers and civilian personnel from many countries—monitor and observe peace processes that emerge in post-conflict situations and assist ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements they have signed. Such assistance comes in many forms, including confidence-building measures, power-sharing arrangements, electoral support, strengthening the rule of law, and economic and social development. All operations must include the resolution of conflicts through the use of force to be considered valid under the charter of the United Nations.
Congo (August 1960 to May 1964)
During the operation Pakistan provided logistic support during movement of troops to and from Congo and inland movement to the United Nation troops. Pakistan Army Supply Corps (ASC) organized the whole operation in a meticulous manner. It continued uninterrupted from 1960 to 1964 with four Independent Army Supply Corps companies, each consisting of about 100 personnel. The movement control entailed move through sea, air, rail, river and road transport. A systematic organization was created to ensure foolproof administrative arrangements for transportation of troops, weapons, equipment, stores and rations throughout Congo in unfriendly environments. Pakistani troops thus performed the assigned task with professional skill and devotion which earned them applause across the world.
West New Guinea (October 1962 - April 1963)
In the circumstances, when the world was focusing its eyes on the United Nations Security Force, the Pakistani composite force comprising 14 Punjab Regiment, two companies of 18 Punjab Regiment and supporting elements, disembarked on the coast of Sorong after completing 6000 miles sea voyage on 8 October 1962.
The Battalion Headquarters were positioned at Biak. Pakistani troops effectively prevented skirmishes between Papuans and Indonesian troops. On one such occasion Pakistani troops rushed swiftly to Kaimana area on 14 January 1963, to avoid a bloody conflict and brought the situation under control
he performance of Pakistani troops was admired by President Soekarno who said, "It was because of Pakistani troops that Indonesia and Pakistan came so close together, they were Pakistan’s best ambassadors." In a rare acknowledgment of good job done the Chinese Premier Chou-En-Lai remarked, "The only example in United Nation’s history, when a United Nation military force had gone in, performed its role honestly and came out, was Pakistan’s military contingent to Indonesia"

Namibia (April 1989 to March 1990)

Kuwait (December 1991 to October 1993)
Pakistan, with its long tradition and considerable experience of assisting friendly nations in need of international help, offered its services for the reclamation of the devastated land. Finally the job was separately entrusted to Pakistan and six other countries. Pakistan was assigned the most difficult area in the north of Kuwait city. It was spread over 3000 square kilometers. Subsequently reclamation of Bubiyan Island also was entrusted to Pakistan.

Haiti (1993 to 1996)
United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH), during the 1991 coup and military rule in Haiti on the request of the United Nations, Pakistan provided one Infantry battalion to form part of UNMIH. This battalion, PAKBAT, arrived in Haiti in March 1995 and was deployed in Cape Haitien. At that time this area faced extremely volatile security situation and was also reputed to be the hotbed of political restlessness. In order to improve the security situation, PAKBAT started to discharge its responsibilities with an extensive patrolling program covering north, northeast and central regions.
For humanitarian assistance, food distribution among impoverished people of Haiti was one program. While much of the food was supplied by NGOs, PAKBAT troops even distributed their own quota of rations to hard pressed population, hence earned good-will.
Mr Enerique ter Horst, United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative in Haiti while appreciating the services of Pakistani troops said, "since the arrival of Pakistan Battalion in Haiti the United Nations has realized that Pakistan Army is not only a formidable fighting force but peace keepers and peace builders in the best sense of the word. The way in which they have participated in the reconstruction and humanitarian assistance program beyond the call of duty to ensue stable environment, makes me confident that United Nations shall very soon attain the objectives of its mission in Haiti."

On the occasion of Pakistan Independence Day; the President of Haiti expressed gratitude of the Haitien people for services rendered by Pakistani troops for the restoration of democracy in Haiti. He said, "I express my deep appreciation and gratitude to the people of Pakistan, the Pakistan Army and its valiant soldiers for their manifestations filled with utmost sincerity, friendship and solidarity."


Cambodia (March 1992 to November 1993)
he Pakistani troops carried out peacekeeping operations in the most difficult and remote regions during the period May 92 - August 93. They overcame enormous logistic and operational problems and, displaying their characteristic courage and determination, defended themselves and those for whom they were responsible. Undaunted by the odds, they handled crisis after crisis and persuaded the warring factions to lay down their arms.

In the words of the Force Commander UNTAC, Lieutenant General J.M. Sanderson, "the Pakistani contingent showed professionalism, patience, determination and compassion, which indeed are the hallmark of an effective peace-keeping force".

Bosnia (March 1992 to February 1996)
United Nations Protection Forces in Bosnia (UNPROFOR), recognizing the commendable performance of the Pakistan Army Contingents as United Nations peacekeepers in Somalia and Cambodia, the United Nations requested the Government of Pakistan to contribute troops to the United Nations Protection Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina. A 3000 strong contingent consisting of two Battalion Groups and a National Support (NS) Headquarters left for Bosnia and Croatia in May 1994.

The two battalion groups PAKBAT 1 and PAKBAT 2 were deployed in the towns of Dares and Durdevik (near the city of Tuzla) in Bosnia while the National Support Headquarters remained based at Split, Croatia. They were tasked to stabilize the military situation with a view to encouraging return of normalcy, improving freedom of movement by maintaining existing routes, providing protection and supporting various United Nations agencies and NGOs engaged in their relief activities and coordinate humanitarian assistance. The PAKBATs performed their military duties with total commitment. Two officers, one junior commissioned officer and three non commissioned officers laid down their lives for the noble cause of bringing peace to a war ravaged territory. Their sacrifices were duly acknowledged by United Nations Force Commander and the local population.

Pakistani Peace Keepers who were the first to respond and assist over 50,000 refugees who came over after the Serbs had over-run the United Nations declared Safe Heavens of Srebrenica and Zepa in July 95. As it was an event which had not been foreseen by the Bosnian government and the United Nations authorities, it was the Pakistani Peace Keepers who bore the brunt of the crisis for 36 hours single handedly. Food, clothing, medical treatment and shelter to these war-ravaged people was provided by the PAKBAT from their own resources before help arrived. Even after the arrival of assistance, it were the Pakistani troops who managed and coordinated the relief activities. It was duly acknowledged in an impressive ceremony organized by Tuzia Red Cross to award certificates of merit to all those who contributed in relief operations.
the Pakistani contingent lost 6 lives in this mission.

Somalia (March 1992 to February 1996)
one of the most difficult peace keeping mission for Pakistan army. we lost 39 lives in this. a total of arounf 7200 military men served in this operation.
United Nations Operation in Somalia I (UNISOM I), during the Somali Civil War, Pakistan was the first country to respond to the call of the United Nations. On 14 September 1992 five hundred Pakistani troops arrived in Mogadishu to launch the United Nation humanitarian campaign. Deployment of the security force was preceded by the arrival of an advance party of 50 United Nation observers, drawn from different countries, led by a Pakistani Brigadier
The Pakistani troops were asked by the United Nation Force Headquarters to carry out an inspection of the weapon storage sites of Farah Aideed, to whom the date and time of inspection had been communicated in advance. Nobody at the United Nation Force Headquarters was able to foresee his reaction and his power to arouse the feelings of his followers against those who were carrying out the inspection. Even as their colleagues were engaged in distributing food at one of the feeding points, the Pakistani inspectors were ambushed by Aideeds followers. The ambushers were using children and women as human shields to prevent being fired back while the road-blocks they had set up made Pakistanis withdrawal difficult. Though taken by surprise and totally exposed, the Pakistanis fought their way back, avoiding civilian casualties. In the process twenty-three Pakistanis were killed and sixty-seven sustained injuries. The Olympic Hotel Incident of 3 October 1993 took place during one of these operations when 75 US Rangers who were attempting an arrest on high level members of Mohammad Farrah Aideed's militia became stranded. The grim battle lasted eight hours. The US Rangers suffered 17 dead and 77 injured while one U.S. Army pilot was captured by Aideed forces. The U.S. 10th Mountain Infantry Division, along with Pakistani troops, was mobilized and sent in to the hot zone to aid the U.S. Rangers in their exfiltration. The exfiltration was a success and the wounded were admitted to the Pakistani hospital at Soccer Stadium. (See BLACK HAWK DOWN)
Major General Thomas M. Montgomery, Deputy Commander of the United Nations Forces in Somalia in a television interview said, "Many of the soldiers are alive today because of the willingness and skill of the Pakistani soldiers who worked jointly in a rescue operation with Malaysian and American soldiers in most difficult and dangerous combat circumstances." He thanked the people and Pakistan Army for sending, "such splendid soldiers to Somalia who we feel proud to serve with. Pakistani soldiers have been completely dependable even in the most difficult circumstances. They have shouldered a huge and dangerous load for UNOSOM and the Somali people."

Rwanda (October 1993 – March 1996)

Angola (February 1995 to June 1997)

Eastern Slavonia (May 1996 – August 1997)

Sierra Leone (October 1999 to December 2005)

at the moment around 10000 troops are serving in different parts of the world as UN peace Keeper.

Pakistan's role for world peace
http://ipripak.org/factfiles/ff70.pdf

regards!
 
Slightly off topic but how are pakistani soldiers transported to their mission zones. I know it's most likely to be by air. Does the UN charter aircraft for them or is the job of transportation left to the PAF?

logistics are the responsibility of the UN. charter flights on civilian airliners to their destination. once they are in the country, they are provided jeeps, trucks, apc's by the UN. in some cases helos are also provided.
 
Army’s role in world peace

PAKISTAN Army, which unfortunately has become target of some vested interests for the past few months, is in fact playing an unparalleled role not only for ensuring peace in the country and the region but also in the world. To highlight the services of Pakistan army to international peace the Prime Minister inaugurated a photo exhibition “A journey through Pakistan’s 50 years of International Peacekeeping” in Islamabad on Thursday and said Pakistan is dedicated to principles of peace and humanity and pledges to act with renewed vigour to usher in an era of security and prosperity for the humanity.

UN peacekeeping missions involving Pakistan covers a long and cherished history of its involvement with the United Nations. Since 1960, Pakistan has been actively involved in most of the UN Peacekeeping missions and today stands at the top with 10,175 troops and observers serving in current missions. Some of the major contributions were in Somalia, Sierra Leone, Bosnia, Congo and Liberia where our troops not only helped in restoration of peace but also extended humanitarian assistance including medical assistance to the needy. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has recognised the great sacrifices rendered by Pakistani peacekeepers. Tragically, 122 Pakistani military, police and civilian personnel lost their lives while proudly serving the United Nations. Similarly coming back to the present situation in the region, Pakistan army sacrifices are unmatched since 9/11 as over five thousand officers and jawans gave their lives in the war on terror which must be given due recognition by the international community. The army had been the first to come to the assistance of the nation in natural calamities and other occasions to protect the countrymen but some quarters in Pakistan are inadvertently targeting it which is extremely sad. In our view the army in the present situation needs backing of all segments of the society to meet challenges on different fronts including dealing the menace of terrorism.
 
Date Posted: 29-Jul-2011


Targeting peace


UN operations are more substantial than ever before and the fight for peace has become increasingly armed - raising issues of force provision and training. Jim Dorschner reports

While much of the world's attention has focused since 2001 on US and NATO combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the UN is sustaining the highest operational tempo since the organisation's establishment. The UN's history dates back to its very first peacekeeping operation (PKO), the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), which was established in the Middle East in 1948 and continues today. The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), led by Under-Secretary-General Alain Le Roy, manages 15 PKOs with more than 120,000 personnel deployed around the world, including about 100,000 uniformed personnel and 6,000 international civilians. In addition, a new operation began in South Sudan on 8 July.

The welcome news is that the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) closed in December 2010, having accomplished its mission and having "successfully contributed to enhancing security in eastern Chad", according to a report published by the UN secretary-general at the time. From 2012 several more missions will either end or initiate reductions leading to closure in the near future. These include Timor-Leste and Liberia, both expected to close next year, while Haiti, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus and Kosovo may see reductions.

With an approved budget for June 2010 to July 2011 of USD7.83 billion, the DPKO faces daunting challenges in terms of force generation and sustainment, fielding of adequate equipment and service support capability and provision of critical rotary-wing airlift. Operationally, deployed UN peacekeeping forces routinely face harsh environmental and health conditions in some of the most poverty-stricken and remote areas of the world while dealing with dangerous and frequently unpredictable armed factions enjoying significant local advantages.

Deployed UN force commanders also have to deal with friction among different national force components with varying degrees of capability and professionalism. An additional challenge is found in politically driven restrictions and caveats imposed by states that provide forces and by host countries run by weak, corrupt and less-than-competent governments.

Sudan
The Republic of South Sudan is the world's newest country, three times the size of neighbouring Uganda and one of the world's poorest, with a barely functioning economy and national infrastructure. It lacks nearly all government services, from health care to education and rule of law.

The country's society is split among majority and minority ethnic groups and the countryside is plagued by armed groups of militia and bandits that have competing interests and, in some cases, links outside the country. More than 2,300 people have been killed in South Sudan this year alone, despite the government spending USD700 million on security-related activities, exceeding the rest of the entire national budget.

Despite this largesse, the country's security forces are likely to remain a loose collection of poorly disciplined and trained but well-armed former guerrillas with leaders reluctant to embrace coherent direction or control by a weak central government, all of which will further complicate the relationship between the government and the UN's latest mission in the area.

On 27 June 2011 the UN Security Council (UNSC) authorised the deployment to Sudan of a contingent of 4,200 Ethiopian troops, known as the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). The Ethiopians deployed to begin monitoring the flashpoint border between the north and south on 20 July, with the authority to use force to protect civilians and humanitarian workers around the contested border city of Abyei in the wake of clashes between Sudanese government troops and local militias. This stopgap force is intended to bolster a hastily contrived joint security force of troops from Sudan and South Sudan that is unlikely to reduce tensions in the area on its own.

On 8 July the UNSC approved a mission to help the new nation of South Sudan establish peace and lay the foundation for long-term state-building, conflict prevention and economic development. Resolution 1996 established the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) for an initial period of one year. South Sudan gained independence the next day, after decades of conflict that cost an estimated two million lives.

Headed by newly appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Hilde Johnson of Norway, UNMISS is authorised to include up to 7,000 military personnel, 900 civilian police and a civilian component by the UNSC mandate. DPKO Press Officer Michel Bonnardeaux told Jane's that UNMISS is "morphing" from the pre-existing UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), which was created following the signing of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the north-south civil war and paved the way for independence.

"The transition towards this new mission is well under way," said Le Roy, noting that Johnson has been working with an initial team to establish the mission since she took up her post as head of UNMISS on 9 July, with the intent to complete the transition within six months.

Nigerian Major General Moses Bisong Obi has been UNMIS force commander since June 2010 and thereby became UNMISS commander on 8 July, when the Sudan mission officially ceased operations. No decision has been made about a replacement. The nearly 10,000 troops under Gen Obi's command will now reduce in size and reconfigure for the new mission; units are currently deployed far north into Sudan up to Khartoum and shifting southwards.

The force is built around a core of infantry battalions from Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Pakistan and Zambia, with a myriad of support units, including Russian and Pakistani helicopter units and Chinese engineer and motor transport companies. Bonnardeaux told Jane's that during the reconfiguration process an unspecified number of infantry battalions will be replaced by additional engineer units, possibly from Japan and South Korea, and enhanced force police units (FPUs). The engineers are required to improve airfields and roads and to build and expand base camps.

An important aspect of UNMISS will eventually be a quick-reaction force capability supported by military tactical helicopters, which will respond around the clock throughout the operational area to reinforce scattered contingents on the ground and perform special missions. The capability will probably include dedicated infantry, FPUs and special forces, along with medical, explosive ordnance disposal and other specialised assets.

Meanwhile, violence continues in the South Kordofan area of Sudan just north of the new inter-state border, resulting in further deaths and causing thousands to flee southward. This humanitarian crisis has escalated even as severe drought and conflict-induced population displacement affects the entire East Africa region.

Although UNMISS can take advantage of an existing footprint in South Sudan, the geographically isolated country possesses only a few airports and airstrips, a rudimentary road network and limited infrastructure with which to support the force. The infrastructure of key 'rear area support' countries like Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda are already feeling the strain of ongoing activities, from normal commerce to regional humanitarian aid missions.

Sustaining logistical requirements for UNMISS requires delivering supplies - from potable water to fuel, rations, batteries and spare parts - over vast distances to widely separated remote locations throughout South Sudan. Juba, the main airhead in-country, is roughly 900 km from Nairobi and over 1,300 km from the port of Mombasa; the northern border areas are another 700 km beyond Juba.

Many helicopters are required, with the majority provided by contractors, according to Le Roy. "We have no problem [obtaining] contract helicopters; the problem is military helicopters," he said.

With UNMISS still in transition, it is too early to detail how the force will function beyond acknowledging the difficulties that lie ahead in an incredibly complex and harsh operational environment. No doubt the mission will be extended beyond the one-year mandate.

Congo
Among the 14 other missions under way, the United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) is the largest in UN history with nearly 17,000 troops; 729 military observers; 1,255 police officers and 5,727 international civilians. The first UN PKO in the Congo operated from 1960 to 1964 and MONUSCO was a 2010 reconfiguration of a previous mission mandated in 1999: the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC).

The new mission is authorised to use all necessary means to protect civilians, humanitarian personnel and human rights defenders under imminent threat of physical violence and to support the government of the DRC in its stabilisation and peace establishment efforts.

Commanded by Indian Lieutenant General Chander Prakash, MONUSCO is a huge operation with four brigades deployed throughout the country maintaining "26 tactical operating bases that help provide security for remote communities", according to a spokesman. MONUSCO includes infantry battalions from Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Senegal and Uruguay; special forces from Guatemala and Jordan; aviation units from Bangladesh, India, Belgium and South Africa; and engineers from China, Indonesia and Nepal.

The mission has suffered a string of setbacks and scandals in the recent past. In October 2010 India withdrew five utility and four attack helicopters, representing a "25 per cent reduction in MONUSCO's military utility fleet and half of the mission's attack helicopters", according to a spokesperson for the UN DPKO. Although the move was ostensibly due to urgent requirements in India, reports have circulated that the decision was motivated by friction with the UN.

More troubling are accusations of negligence and lack of discipline in connection with a series of rapes and sexual assaults. In 2003 six Nepalese troops were convicted of sexual abuse while serving with the UN in the DRC and jailed in Nepal. In 2007 non-governmental organisations and UN officials made allegations in North Kivu that Indian peacekeepers had exchanged food and information with locals for gold from rebels and had sexually exploited female minors.

In August 2010 more than 240 women were raped by rebels and government soldiers in villages close to a MONUSCO base in the Eastern Congo without any intervention by UN forces. This prompted UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Atul Khare to admit: "While the primary responsibility for protection of civilians lies with the state - its national army and police force, clearly - we have also failed.... We must do better."

In June 2011 the Indian Army launched a court of inquiry against 12 officers and 39 soldiers allegedly involved in cases of sexual abuse while serving with MONUSCO in 2008. The allegations emerged after DNA tests commissioned by the UN on children born to local women in Durla in the Congo showed they had "distinctive Indian features". Thereafter the UN formally asked the Indian Army to initiate further investigations. The battalion in question was recalled from the Congo immediately after the allegations surfaced.

In Le Roy's view the DRC armed forces still suffer from poor discipline and lack of professionalism and are incapable of protecting the civilian population. MONUSCO is expected to remain at current force levels at least through this year's elections and into next year.

Haiti
Another major UN PKO, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), is finally making headway after more than 20 years of UN involvement in the country and may even be reduced next year. Under the command of Brazilian Major General Luiz Eduardo Ramos Pereira, MINUSTAH has 8,720 troops; 3,550 police officers and 542 international civilians. Core infantry units are provided by Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Jordan, Nepal, Peru, Sri Lanka and Uruguay. Aviation units come from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay and engineers from Chile, Ecuador, Japan and Paraguay.

MINUSTAH and Haiti suffered a tragic setback when a devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck on 12 January 2010, resulting in more than 220,000 deaths, including 102 UN personnel, with many thousands of people injured and 1.5 million left homeless. UN staff losses included the special representative and his principal deputy and constituted the highest number of casualties in a single day in the history of UN peacekeeping.

Despite the losses, MINUSTAH acted decisively in response to post-earthquake priorities: relief, security and restoration of state capacity. The UNSC endorsed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's recommendation to increase overall MINUSTAH force levels by 2,000 troops and 1,500 police officers to support immediate recovery, reconstruction and stability efforts in the country.

With the conclusion of successful elections in April 2011, Haiti appears to be on a path to increasing stability and security. The UN hopes it can begin scaling back MINUSTAH in 2012 in anticipation of eventual closure later this decade.

Lebanon
Another large and important continuing mission is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Established in southern Lebanon in 1978 in the wake of the Lebanese civil war, its mission was strengthened after the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizbullah.

Commanded by Spanish Major General Alberto Asarta Cuevas, UNIFIL consists of more than 12,000 peacekeepers from 35 countries, including 1,300 troops from France and 1,100 from Spain. Other UNIFIL mechanised and infantry units are provided by Ghana, Italy, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal and South Korea, with engineers from Belgium, China, Portugal and Turkey. The rotating offshore maritime component has included warships from Bangladesh, Germany, Greece, Indonesia and Turkey.

UNIFIL's difficult mission is to keep peace in one of the most highly militarised corners of the world, where the prospect of renewed hostilities is ever present - the consequences of which could potentially destabilise the entire region. UNSC Resolution 1701 of August 2006 authorises UNIFIL "to take all necessary action within areas of deployment ... to ensure that its area of operations is not utilized for hostile activities of any kind; to resist attempts by forceful means to prevent it from discharging its duties under the mandate of the Security Council; and to protect United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment, ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel, humanitarian workers and ... to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence".

Given this mandate and the complex operational environment, UNIFIL is the most heavily armed UN force to date, fielding main battle tanks and heavy artillery. Since 1978 277 UN troops have been killed in Lebanon, along with two military observers and eight international civilians.

Le Roy told Jane's that UN peacekeeping forces are "like a fire department that has to buy its equipment once the fire has started". The UN does not posses any forces itself, cannot compel member states to contribute troops and is unable to 'certify' forces, as member states are solely responsible for ensuring proper training and equipment for the units they provide.

Consequently, UN forces and command staff seldom, if ever, have the opportunity to train together and establish standardised procedures before going operational, which significantly reduces effectiveness, particularly in the critical early stages of a deployment.

With the demand for troops at record levels, obtaining contributions of properly trained and equipped forces can be problematic, but Le Roy told Jane's that he "wouldn't call it mission fatigue". He understands the dearth of European and North American contributions since 2001 due to other operational requirements and is sympathetic to the effects of ongoing economic stresses on those armed forces.

At the same time he appreciates the tailored assistance these 'high-end' countries have been able to provide. "In Côte d'Ivoire we couldn't have done what we did without the help of French forces, or in Sierra Leone with the UK, or in the DRC with [EU Operation] 'Artemis'," he said. The efforts of US forces in Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake were "extremely useful", he added.

'Triangular co-operation' is a concept gaining increasing currency in peacekeeping circles, whereby European and North American countries that are unable or unwilling to contribute their own troops offer to train and equip troops contributed by other countries. Examples of this include the US assistance provided to Rwandan forces, Belgium's to Benin and France's to Togo and Senegal.

Major equipment donation programmes are another way to overcome critical deficiencies. An example was Canada's 2005 contribution of 100 prototype Cougar light armoured vehicles to support operations in Darfur. Originally donated to the African Union (AU), they were subsequently handed over to UN forces. While useful to the mission, the programme highlighted training and logistics issues that must be addressed when gifting relatively advanced equipment. For example, according to Amnesty International, soldiers were not in theatre long enough to obtain training and experience on these vehicles.

According to Le Roy, one of the UN's top capability shortfalls is mobility in the form of armoured vehicles and tactical helicopters that can withstand the impact from improvised explosive devices. One source of donation may be the United States, which could offer mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles initially produced for service in Iraq, along with an associated training and support programme.

As for tactical helicopters, there can never be enough. This has forced the UN to pioneer the effective use of contract helicopters, largely from Russia and Ukraine, but these are inadequate to support certain activities that require more capable military aircraft and crews, such as night troop insertions and reconnaissance and 24-hour all-weather medical evacuation.

Also in short supply are engineers and deployable field medical facilities. Europe and North America remain the best sources of modern, deployable field hospital capabilities, but recently Argentina, India, South Africa and other countries have stepped up to support UN operations. In terms of engineer support, China, Japan and South Korea are proving capable and reliable contributors and engineer units are emerging as an important niche capability for smaller countries such as Cambodia and Paraguay.

A feature of UN PKOs over the past decade has been a demonstrated ability to operate in conjunction with other organisations, such as the Economic Community of West African States, the AU and the EU, or directly with such nations as the US, the UK and France. However, while Le Roy foresees "more and more partnerships", the ongoing UN-AU hybrid mission in Darfur has shown some of the limits of co-operative ventures and Le Roy does not expect the experiment to be repeated. "Hybrid is not the most efficient, not the best model. One chain of command is always easier for everyone," he said.

What Le Roy would very much like to see is an 'over-the-horizon capability' that can respond quickly to emerging crises and serve as a limited-duration bridge force while an appropriately trained and equipped UN force assembles and deploys. He cites the EU-led Operation 'Artemis' in the DRC in 2003 as an example.

With France as the lead nation, 'Artemis' forces were deployed in response to a UN request over a three-week period and subsequently grew to about 1,800 troops, mostly French but including forces from Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, South Africa, Sweden and the UK. After a three-month period in which the crisis was stabilised, 'Artemis' handed over responsibility to the UN's MONUC.

Le Roy is "pushing the EU to operationalise the concept" of designating existing standby battlegroups as on-call crisis response forces for emerging UN missions and as over-the-horizon reinforcements for UN operations. The same relationship could ultimately extend to other regional groupings in Asia, Africa and South America.

Formalising a rapid-reaction bridge capability would relieve the UN of a significant burden and allow it to concentrate on executing stabilised, long-term missions. Having trained and ready forces available to undertake the demanding initial entry and stabilisation phase of a PKO would also benefit UN forces transitioning into an operation by shaping the operational environment in advance.

In addition to a more co-operative approach with the international community, the last decade has seen UN forces employ more force on operations, including attack helicopters, artillery and special forces; this trend is certain to continue. In Côte d'Ivoire in April joint French-UN military action broke a long-running impasse and set conditions for stability. Such forceful approaches to resolving conflict situations, in relation to the composition and posture of future missions, is likely to include enhanced capabilities to provide what is known as 'robust peacekeeping'. However, Le Roy insists that robust peacekeeping should not be confused with 'peace enforcement', which he believes is not a UN peacekeeping mission.

UNMISS in South Sudan continues a 63-year legacy of UN PKOs without an end in sight as the 21st century progresses. Le Roy told Jane's that the UN is "not asking to increase our market share" in terms of global military operations. The UN DPKO does not have a say on when and how conflicts ignite, but is obliged to respond when called out by the UNSC.

Jim Dorschner is a correspondent based in Washington, DC
 
Protection of peacekeepers


By Khalid Iqbal

Published: August 22, 2011


Pakistan has an enviable record of contribution towards global security, peace, and stability under the auspices of United Nations. Since 1960, it has been actively involved in most of the UN’s peacekeeping missions, and today stands at the top with 10,175 troops and observers serving many ongoing missions. So far, Pakistan has participated in 41 missions in some of the most dangerous conflict zones, like Congo, Bosnia, Rwanda, Angola, Somalia, Cambodia, East Timor, Sierra Leone and Liberia, where our soldiers have helped restore peace and in the provision of humanitarian assistance. Pakistan has made the largest troop contribution to such initiatives, and so far deployed 130,000 peacekeepers from Far East Asia to Central America.

As a signatory to the MoU on UN Standby Arrangement System, Pakistan has pledged a brigade size force, including air force and navy assets, for the peacekeeping missions. Hopefully, it would participate in the high-profile missions involving the enforcement of no-fly zones, naval blockades, etc.

The performance of Pakistani peacekeepers has been acknowledged worldwide, especially by the governments of the affected areas and UN’s leadership. An undisputed professional standing of our peacekeepers has made them the passion of every UNSG’s special representative and force commander in every mission. Pakistani peacekeepers have persistently sacrificed their lives in the line of duty; the fatalities account for over 10 percent of total UN deaths. Meanwhile, almost an equal number of the peacekeepers have been wounded over the five decades. Tragically, 122 Pakistani military, police and civilian personnel have lost their lives while serving the United Nations.

Such missions expose our troops to attacks from warring militant groups, hostile social environment, adverse weather conditions, and health hazards. Many, in Pakistan, vividly recall the tragic episode that occurred in Somalia during 1993. Five groups of Pakistani peacekeepers were attacked by the militants belonging to warlord Mohamed Ali Farrah Aidid’s militia; the attackers used women and children as shield, but the Pakistani troops fought back courageously, and ensured that the women and children remained unharmed. During this episode, 23 Pakistani soldiers lost their lives and 56 sustained injuries.

Peacekeeping is envisaged as a non-coercive and politically impartial instrument. Traditionally, it has been based on a triad of principles viz consent of parties to the conflict, impartiality of the peacekeepers, and use of force by lightly armed peacekeepers only in self-defence. In the past, constraints imposed by these principles have led to the abandoning of some of the missions, leaving the suffering civilian population in a state of limbo.

The genesis of the ‘peacekeeping mission’ is rooted in the contradiction between the rejection of war and the need to keep peace by force. The UN Charter, which is based on the idea of preventing war, does not envisage peacekeeping. Yet, this method of crisis management has evolved out of the fear of a war breaking out. Dag Hammarskjöld and Lester B. Pearson “invented” peacekeeping in 1956. Chapters VI and VII of the UN Charter provide for political and military procedures for resolving conflicts. The idea was relatively simple: Establish a means for dialogue (Chapter VI) and, if the situation becomes a threat to international peace, take military action (Chapter VII).

Early day missions were timid, involving only military observers. Then it became clear that they had to be protected, and that it would be useful if the forces were interposed between the parties to a conflict. At first, attempts were made to resolve the problems of protection of the peacekeepers with allocation of additional resources, like increasing manpower and firepower, in the field for protecting the units more effectively. But as difficulties persisted, it slowly became clear that there was a doctrinal gap.

The first stage of peacekeeping lasted until the fall of Berlin Wall. Its success depended on the assumption that the belligerents would respect their commitments; and that they could more or less control their forces. This remained the case as long as the conflicts involved national armies. But from 1990 onward, the disintegration of some States undermined an essential condition of peacekeeping: The consistency and effectiveness of the commitments made by the parties to a conflict. In a civil war, the commitment of non-state actors to peace agreement can never be assumed; consent becomes a relative and evolving concept. It could be ambiguous and withdrawn arbitrarily. Hence, the security of peacekeepers continues to remain on tenterhooks.
Undoubtedly, there ought to be a balance between mission accomplishment and survival. This must be imbedded in the design of each mission, from conception through execution to safe extrication. When the safety of peacekeepers is threatened, peacekeeping is likely to go beyond an exclusively defensive posture. Such situations must cater for limited and local offensive actions with the proviso that they are not diverted towards perpetual coercive ends. The protection of observers and peacekeeping troops requires situation – based application of force and means to do so, which should be readily available to each field commander. These lessons have been learnt at the cost of deplorable humanitarian failures that made people doubt the relevance of UN peacekeeping capability in Bosnia, Somalia, and Rwanda.

Today, peacekeeping has weaknesses at every level of its implementation. The root cause of all of these weaknesses is physical vulnerability at the tactical level. It has become worse as States have become weaker and, thus, less able to guarantee their consent. Moreover, intra-state conflicts need more and more peacekeepers, as compared to inter-state conflicts.

Notwithstanding the evolution of the post-cold war era constraints, peacekeeping will always be a matter of consent, rather than compulsion. However, robustness of force and structures would increase the ability to control the area of operations where a crisis is taking place, while, at the same time, protecting those who are executing the peace mission.

The UN needs to devote a great deal of effort to evolve a viable doctrine for its peacekeeping activities to increase the coherence in conception and conduct of these operations. The envisaged doctrine should aim at improving the military components’ ability to control the situation through rapid mobility. Also, the UN should find procedural ways and means to compensate for the inherent structural weaknesses of its force composition viz their extremely diverse multinational nature, inter-operability issues, and difficulties of command articulation.

The writer is a retired Air Commodore and former Assistant Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force. At present, he is a member of the visiting faculty at the PAF Air War College, Naval War College and Quaid-i-Azam University.

Email:khalid3408@gmail.com
 
UN PHOTO EXHIBITION 2011

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