The European Union has taken over control of peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina today (December 2), the largest mission the Union has ever embarked upon.
A ceremony in Sarajevo marked the historic conclusion of the Nato-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the launch of the European Union’s follow-on, EUFOR.
SFOR has been brought to a successful end almost exactly nine years since Nato deployed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995, in what was the Alliance’s first peacekeeping operation.
The decision reflects the improved security situation in the country.
“Today is truly a day for celebration – for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and also for the wider international community,” said Nato Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer at the handover ceremony.
He said the progress the country had made was unimaginable in the early 1990s. People no longer lived in fear, state institutions had been established and there was respect for human rights.
The successful end of SFOR does not spell the end of Nato’s engagement in Bosnia and Herzegovina, however. While the European Union assumes responsibility for peacekeeping operations, Nato will maintain a headquarters in Sarajevo to assist the country with defence reform.
It will also carry out some operational tasks, in co-ordination with the European Union, including counter-terrorism and assistance in apprehending persons indicted for war crimes.
The handover was also proof of the “developing cooperation between Nato and the European Union,” Mr. De Hoop Scheffer said.
The 7,000-strong EUFOR mission will be led by Britain and supported by Nato under the so-called ‘Berlin Plus’ arrangements, which provide a framework for Nato-EU cooperation.
In reality the handover will mean little change on the ground, as some 80% of the troops currently serving under Nato's banner will simply swap their badges for those of EUFOR.
The ceremony, held at SFOR Headquarters, saw the mission’s flag replaced by the flag of EUFOR and the formal establishment of Nato’s new headquarters in Sarajevo.
Showing posts with label peacekeeping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label peacekeeping. Show all posts
EU begins its first peacekeeping role
The European Union takes a small but significant step on to the world security stage today when it begins its maiden peacekeeping operation in the Balkans.
Sending a police mission to Bosnia to take over from the existing UN force is its first action under the the slowly evolving common policy for security and defence: areas zealously guarded by nation states.
It may also herald a more intense EU military involvement in Europe's turbulent "near abroad".
The 500 officers, commanded by a Danish police commissioner, will add blue berets and EU armbands to their national uniforms. Their task will be to train and monitor professional multi-ethnic local police forces in Bosnia, which is still struggling to rebuild its society after its 42-month war.
Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy and security chief, said the deployment was "a strong symbol of the collective will of Europeans to act jointly in this key task of consolidating stability and security in our continent".
Officials in Brussels say the importance of the mission lies in the way its work is integrated into a wider approach to the Balkans, the one part of the world where the EU has developed an effective common foreign policy.
Organised crime has been identified as the single biggest threat to progress in the region, involving shadowy alliances between drug smugglers, corrupt politicians and extreme nationalist groups.
Under the stability pact for south-east Europe created after the Kosovan war in 1999, Balkan countries have been encouraged to reform with a view to forging a closer relationship with the EU.
Slovenia, the wealthiest of the former Yugoslav republics, is joining the union in 2004. Bulgaria and Romania are expected to join in 2007. Croatia said last week that it wanted to make a formal application to join.
The police mission could lead to far greater European military and security activity in the region. An agreement with Nato last month allows it to send peacekeeping troops to Macedonia, probably next spring.
Even more ambitiously, it has suggested that it might take over from Nato the command of the 12,000 peacekeepers in Bosnia.
Planners in Brussels are desperate to find missions for the EU's fledgling rapid reaction force, a unit of 60,000 soldiers designed for peacekeeping and humanitarian duties where Nato is not involved.
Sending a police mission to Bosnia to take over from the existing UN force is its first action under the the slowly evolving common policy for security and defence: areas zealously guarded by nation states.
It may also herald a more intense EU military involvement in Europe's turbulent "near abroad".
The 500 officers, commanded by a Danish police commissioner, will add blue berets and EU armbands to their national uniforms. Their task will be to train and monitor professional multi-ethnic local police forces in Bosnia, which is still struggling to rebuild its society after its 42-month war.
Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy and security chief, said the deployment was "a strong symbol of the collective will of Europeans to act jointly in this key task of consolidating stability and security in our continent".
Officials in Brussels say the importance of the mission lies in the way its work is integrated into a wider approach to the Balkans, the one part of the world where the EU has developed an effective common foreign policy.
Organised crime has been identified as the single biggest threat to progress in the region, involving shadowy alliances between drug smugglers, corrupt politicians and extreme nationalist groups.
Under the stability pact for south-east Europe created after the Kosovan war in 1999, Balkan countries have been encouraged to reform with a view to forging a closer relationship with the EU.
Slovenia, the wealthiest of the former Yugoslav republics, is joining the union in 2004. Bulgaria and Romania are expected to join in 2007. Croatia said last week that it wanted to make a formal application to join.
The police mission could lead to far greater European military and security activity in the region. An agreement with Nato last month allows it to send peacekeeping troops to Macedonia, probably next spring.
Even more ambitiously, it has suggested that it might take over from Nato the command of the 12,000 peacekeepers in Bosnia.
Planners in Brussels are desperate to find missions for the EU's fledgling rapid reaction force, a unit of 60,000 soldiers designed for peacekeeping and humanitarian duties where Nato is not involved.
UN peacekeeping effort in Afghanistan
UN peacekeeping effort in Afghanistan
The Assembly maintained its focus on Afghanistan throughout the 1980s, adopting a series of resolutions which called for an end to the conflict, withdrawal of foreign troops, UN assistance to find a political settlement and international help for refugees and others affected by the conflict.
Following the May 1987 agreement, the UN had begun strenuous efforts to coordinate humanitarian assistance. Afghanistan had long been designated by the UN as one of the world's least developed countries and war only made it more difficult to respond to the challenge of reconstruction and development.
In 1989, under the guidance of the Secretary-General's newly-appointed Coordinator for United Nations Humanitarian and Economic Assistance Programmes, a plan of action was developed jointly by United Nations agencies and programmes, including the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
In 1993, two peace accords were negotiated between President Rabbani and eight other Afghan leaders - in Islamabad on 7 March and in Jalalabad on 18 May. In these accords, the leaders agreed to form a government for 18 months, to set in motion an electoral process, to formulate a constitution, and to establish a defence council to set up a national army. In his annual report issued in September, the Secretary-General observed that although the accords were encouraging, they had neither resolved the problems of the government nor removed the threat of renewed fighting around Kabul.
In December 1993, at the request of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General established the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan (UNSMA) to canvass a broad spectrum of Afghan leaders and solicit their views on how the UN could best help with national reconciliation and reconstruction. Meanwhile, the movement of civilians mirrored the ebb and flow of battlefield realities, with many refugees returning to peaceful parts of the country. In 1992, more than 1.2 million returned home from Pakistan.
The Assembly maintained its focus on Afghanistan throughout the 1980s, adopting a series of resolutions which called for an end to the conflict, withdrawal of foreign troops, UN assistance to find a political settlement and international help for refugees and others affected by the conflict.
Following the May 1987 agreement, the UN had begun strenuous efforts to coordinate humanitarian assistance. Afghanistan had long been designated by the UN as one of the world's least developed countries and war only made it more difficult to respond to the challenge of reconstruction and development.
In 1989, under the guidance of the Secretary-General's newly-appointed Coordinator for United Nations Humanitarian and Economic Assistance Programmes, a plan of action was developed jointly by United Nations agencies and programmes, including the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
In 1993, two peace accords were negotiated between President Rabbani and eight other Afghan leaders - in Islamabad on 7 March and in Jalalabad on 18 May. In these accords, the leaders agreed to form a government for 18 months, to set in motion an electoral process, to formulate a constitution, and to establish a defence council to set up a national army. In his annual report issued in September, the Secretary-General observed that although the accords were encouraging, they had neither resolved the problems of the government nor removed the threat of renewed fighting around Kabul.
In December 1993, at the request of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General established the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan (UNSMA) to canvass a broad spectrum of Afghan leaders and solicit their views on how the UN could best help with national reconciliation and reconstruction. Meanwhile, the movement of civilians mirrored the ebb and flow of battlefield realities, with many refugees returning to peaceful parts of the country. In 1992, more than 1.2 million returned home from Pakistan.
UN peacekeeping in Iraq-Kuwait
UN peacekeeping in Iraq-Kuwait
On 2 August 1990, Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait. On the same day, the Security Council adopted its resolution 660 (1990), condemning the invasion and demanding Iraq’s immediate withdrawal of its forces to the pre-occupied position. The Council instituted mandatory arms and economic sanctions against Iraq.
Between 2 August and 29 November 1990, the Council adopted 12 resolutions on various aspects of the situation between Iraq and Kuwait, culminating in resolution 678 (1990). If Iraq have not implemented all the necessary resolutions, Member States cooperating with Kuwait's legitimate Government were authorized to use "all necessary means" to compel Iraq and restore international peace and security in the area.
On 3 April 1991, the Council adopted resolution 687 (1991), setting detailed conditions for a formal ceasefire to end the conflict and establishing the machinery for ensuring implementation of those conditions. Following Iraq’s acceptance of the resolution’s provisions, the ceasefire became a formal one.
Establishment of UNIKOM
By resolution 687 (1991) the Council established, a demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the boundary between Iraq and Kuwait, to be monitored by a United Nations observer unit. The Secretary-General reported back on 5 April 1991, and on 9 April, by its resolution 689 (1991), the Security Council, established the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM) with the strength of 300 military observers.
The Council gave UNIKOM a mandate to monitor the DMZ and the Khawr 'Abd Allah waterway between Iraq and Kuwait; to deter violations of the boundary; and to observe any hostile action mounted from the territory of one State against the other.
UNIKOM is deployed
UNIKOM’s aim was to patrol and observe the assigned zones in order to prevent conflicts between Iraq and Kuwait. Except for the oilfields and two towns - Umm Qasr, which became Iraq's only outlet to the sea, and Safwan - the zone is barren and almost uninhabited. UNIKOM enjoys full freedom of movement throughout the DMZ and observes the length and breadth of the zone.
On 2 August 1990, Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait. On the same day, the Security Council adopted its resolution 660 (1990), condemning the invasion and demanding Iraq’s immediate withdrawal of its forces to the pre-occupied position. The Council instituted mandatory arms and economic sanctions against Iraq.
Between 2 August and 29 November 1990, the Council adopted 12 resolutions on various aspects of the situation between Iraq and Kuwait, culminating in resolution 678 (1990). If Iraq have not implemented all the necessary resolutions, Member States cooperating with Kuwait's legitimate Government were authorized to use "all necessary means" to compel Iraq and restore international peace and security in the area.
On 3 April 1991, the Council adopted resolution 687 (1991), setting detailed conditions for a formal ceasefire to end the conflict and establishing the machinery for ensuring implementation of those conditions. Following Iraq’s acceptance of the resolution’s provisions, the ceasefire became a formal one.
Establishment of UNIKOM
By resolution 687 (1991) the Council established, a demilitarized zone (DMZ) along the boundary between Iraq and Kuwait, to be monitored by a United Nations observer unit. The Secretary-General reported back on 5 April 1991, and on 9 April, by its resolution 689 (1991), the Security Council, established the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM) with the strength of 300 military observers.
The Council gave UNIKOM a mandate to monitor the DMZ and the Khawr 'Abd Allah waterway between Iraq and Kuwait; to deter violations of the boundary; and to observe any hostile action mounted from the territory of one State against the other.
UNIKOM is deployed
UNIKOM’s aim was to patrol and observe the assigned zones in order to prevent conflicts between Iraq and Kuwait. Except for the oilfields and two towns - Umm Qasr, which became Iraq's only outlet to the sea, and Safwan - the zone is barren and almost uninhabited. UNIKOM enjoys full freedom of movement throughout the DMZ and observes the length and breadth of the zone.
UN peacekeeping in Timor Leste
UN peacekeeping in Timor Leste
Having declared its independence a mere four years ago, Timor Leste is still a fledgling nation emerging from the aftermath of a long, and often bloody, struggle for freedom. Though citizens have been ably assisted by various UN missions as they attempt to build the country, Timor Leste still has many challenges to overcome.
The combination of regional and UN assistance coupled with a commitment from local government officials to address the tension will help cease the fighting. In the long term, Timor Leste, working with regional governments, in particular Australia, will need to address the broad security challenges underlying the current instability.
The Peace Building Commission was formed to improve the coordination of relevant actors within and outside the UN and to extend the period of attention given by the international community to post-conflict recovery.
Having declared its independence a mere four years ago, Timor Leste is still a fledgling nation emerging from the aftermath of a long, and often bloody, struggle for freedom. Though citizens have been ably assisted by various UN missions as they attempt to build the country, Timor Leste still has many challenges to overcome.
The combination of regional and UN assistance coupled with a commitment from local government officials to address the tension will help cease the fighting. In the long term, Timor Leste, working with regional governments, in particular Australia, will need to address the broad security challenges underlying the current instability.
The Peace Building Commission was formed to improve the coordination of relevant actors within and outside the UN and to extend the period of attention given by the international community to post-conflict recovery.
India peacekeeping in Sri Lanka
Peace Keeping operations - In addition to the experience gained in wars with Pakistan and China, the Indian army has been involved in two regional peacekeeping operations. The first was in Sri Lanka from 1987 to 1990, the second in Maldives in 1988. In addition, Indian forces have participated in ten UN peacekeeping forces.
Sri Lanka
Since the early 1970s, ethnic conflict has pitted Sri Lanka's Tamil minority against the Sinhalese majority over issues of power sharing and local autonomy. The main combatants are the Sri Lankan army and the secessionist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Indian involvement, encouraged by pro-Tamil sentiments in its state of Tamil Nadu, which is close to Sri Lanka, and the Indian government's covert aid to and training of Tamil militants between 1977 and 1987, drew India into the conflict. The Indo-Sri Lankan Accord, signed on July 29, 1987, committed New Delhi to deploying a peacekeeping force on the island, making the Indian government the principal guarantor of a solution to the ethnic violence that had heightened dramatically since 1983. Nearly 60,000 Indian troops drawn from two divisions (one from the Central Command and the other from the Southern Command) were in Sri Lanka as the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) between 1987 and 1990.
Originally sent to Sri Lanka as a neutral body with a mission to ensure compliance with the accord, the IPKF increasingly became a partisan force fighting against Tamils. The popularity of Indian forces, which was never high, decreased still further amidst charges of rape and murder of civilians. Despite the considerable experience that Indian troops had gained in fighting insurgencies in India's northeast, the IPKF was at a marked disadvantage in Sri Lanka. In fighting Naga and Mizo guerrillas in northeast India, the army had fought on home ground, and the central government could couple the army's efforts with direct political negotiations. In Sri Lanka, the Indian forces did not possess an adequate local intelligence network. Despite the growth of the IPKF to 70,000 strong, the predominantly urban context of northern Sri Lanka imposed constraints on the use of force. It also is widely believed that Sri Lankan forces offered only grudging cooperation. Given the inability of the IPKF to prevent either Sinhalese or Tamil extremist actions, it steadily lost the support of both sides in the conflict.
As the Sri Lankan presidential elections approached in December 1988, both the contending parties, the ruling United National Party led by then Prime Minister Ranasinghe Premadasa, and the three-party United Front led by former Prime Minister Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike, expressed their reservations about the 1987 accord. Premadasa was elected, and after he was inaugurated, he declared an end to the five-and-a-half-year state of emergency and asked India to withdraw the IPKF. In July 1989, the IPKF started a phased withdrawal of its remaining 45,000 troops, a process that took until March 1990 to complete.
During the three-year involvement, some 1,500 Indian troops were killed and more than 4,500 were wounded during this operation. Another casualty resulting from the Sri Lanka mission was the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by a Tamil militant in 1991. As a participant in what began as a peacekeeping mission, the Indian armed forces learned some valuable lessons. These included the realization that better coordination is needed between military and political decision makers for such missions. One of the commanders of the IPKF also noted that training, equipment, and command and control needed improvement.
In 1995, at the request of the Sri Lankan government, Indian naval ships and air force surveillance aircraft established a quarantine zone around the LTTE stronghold in the Jaffna area. The supply of military matériel by Indian sympathizers to the Tamil insurgents in Sri Lanka from Tamil Nadu, just thirty-five kilometers across the Palk Strait, was an ongoing problem that continued to keep India involved in the conflict.
Sri Lanka
Since the early 1970s, ethnic conflict has pitted Sri Lanka's Tamil minority against the Sinhalese majority over issues of power sharing and local autonomy. The main combatants are the Sri Lankan army and the secessionist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Indian involvement, encouraged by pro-Tamil sentiments in its state of Tamil Nadu, which is close to Sri Lanka, and the Indian government's covert aid to and training of Tamil militants between 1977 and 1987, drew India into the conflict. The Indo-Sri Lankan Accord, signed on July 29, 1987, committed New Delhi to deploying a peacekeeping force on the island, making the Indian government the principal guarantor of a solution to the ethnic violence that had heightened dramatically since 1983. Nearly 60,000 Indian troops drawn from two divisions (one from the Central Command and the other from the Southern Command) were in Sri Lanka as the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) between 1987 and 1990.
Originally sent to Sri Lanka as a neutral body with a mission to ensure compliance with the accord, the IPKF increasingly became a partisan force fighting against Tamils. The popularity of Indian forces, which was never high, decreased still further amidst charges of rape and murder of civilians. Despite the considerable experience that Indian troops had gained in fighting insurgencies in India's northeast, the IPKF was at a marked disadvantage in Sri Lanka. In fighting Naga and Mizo guerrillas in northeast India, the army had fought on home ground, and the central government could couple the army's efforts with direct political negotiations. In Sri Lanka, the Indian forces did not possess an adequate local intelligence network. Despite the growth of the IPKF to 70,000 strong, the predominantly urban context of northern Sri Lanka imposed constraints on the use of force. It also is widely believed that Sri Lankan forces offered only grudging cooperation. Given the inability of the IPKF to prevent either Sinhalese or Tamil extremist actions, it steadily lost the support of both sides in the conflict.
As the Sri Lankan presidential elections approached in December 1988, both the contending parties, the ruling United National Party led by then Prime Minister Ranasinghe Premadasa, and the three-party United Front led by former Prime Minister Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike, expressed their reservations about the 1987 accord. Premadasa was elected, and after he was inaugurated, he declared an end to the five-and-a-half-year state of emergency and asked India to withdraw the IPKF. In July 1989, the IPKF started a phased withdrawal of its remaining 45,000 troops, a process that took until March 1990 to complete.
During the three-year involvement, some 1,500 Indian troops were killed and more than 4,500 were wounded during this operation. Another casualty resulting from the Sri Lanka mission was the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by a Tamil militant in 1991. As a participant in what began as a peacekeeping mission, the Indian armed forces learned some valuable lessons. These included the realization that better coordination is needed between military and political decision makers for such missions. One of the commanders of the IPKF also noted that training, equipment, and command and control needed improvement.
In 1995, at the request of the Sri Lankan government, Indian naval ships and air force surveillance aircraft established a quarantine zone around the LTTE stronghold in the Jaffna area. The supply of military matériel by Indian sympathizers to the Tamil insurgents in Sri Lanka from Tamil Nadu, just thirty-five kilometers across the Palk Strait, was an ongoing problem that continued to keep India involved in the conflict.
Pakistan, China to Make Common Efforts for International Peace, Prosperity: Gilani
ISLAMABAD, Sep 28 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said China and Pakistan would continue common endeavours for building a better future for its people and for promotion of international peace, stability and prosperity.Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of China Cultural Week arranged by Chinese Embassy here on Monday, he said, “Pakistan greatly values its friendship with China. We are committed to promoting and deepening our fraternal ties, including in the area of culture and people-to-people contacts.”
The Prime Minister said the friendship between China and Pakistan is unique and multi-dimensional and it spans a vast spectrum of political, strategic, defence, cultural, economic and trade areas.
“We have untiringly and steadfastly built this ideal relationship over the span of past five decades. Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou En Lai together with late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto laid the foundations of our all weather friendship, which was further cemented by Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed.”
In addition to the strong bilateral relations, Pakistan and China have a common worldview on a host of issues, ranging from Taiwan to Tibet to human rights to a fair and just global order, he said adding, “Our friendship is based on complete trust, mutual understanding and shared aspirations for peace and progress.”
“China is a factor of stability in the region,” he said.
He mentioned that the Chinese civilization has contributed enormously to the global culture through its ingenuity, richness, sagacity and diversity.
The wisdom of the Chinese people is reflected in the sayings of the great sage Confucius, he observed.
Throughout China, he said, one can see the intricate craftsmanship of Chinese artisans in the jade carvings, lacquer ware, terracotta pottery, the beautiful architecture of the Forbidden City, the engineering marvel of the Great Wall and the magnificence of Chinese opera.
The Prime Minister inaugurated a photographic exhibition on 60 years of Pak-China Relations and on Chinese customs.
The exhibitions are being held to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The Prime Minister watched a cultural show of Chinese artists and acrobats.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of China to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui said they are looking forward to the visit of Prime Minister Gilani to China next month.
He called relations between Pakistan and China as all weather and higher than Himalayas, deeper than Arabian sea and sweeter than honey.
People of China achieved prosperity for themselves through their hard work and contributed to the stability of the region and the world, he added.
The Ambassador said Pakistan is a brotherly country which extended unconditional support to China on various issues.
The Prime Minister said the friendship between China and Pakistan is unique and multi-dimensional and it spans a vast spectrum of political, strategic, defence, cultural, economic and trade areas.
“We have untiringly and steadfastly built this ideal relationship over the span of past five decades. Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou En Lai together with late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto laid the foundations of our all weather friendship, which was further cemented by Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed.”
In addition to the strong bilateral relations, Pakistan and China have a common worldview on a host of issues, ranging from Taiwan to Tibet to human rights to a fair and just global order, he said adding, “Our friendship is based on complete trust, mutual understanding and shared aspirations for peace and progress.”
“China is a factor of stability in the region,” he said.
He mentioned that the Chinese civilization has contributed enormously to the global culture through its ingenuity, richness, sagacity and diversity.
The wisdom of the Chinese people is reflected in the sayings of the great sage Confucius, he observed.
Throughout China, he said, one can see the intricate craftsmanship of Chinese artisans in the jade carvings, lacquer ware, terracotta pottery, the beautiful architecture of the Forbidden City, the engineering marvel of the Great Wall and the magnificence of Chinese opera.
The Prime Minister inaugurated a photographic exhibition on 60 years of Pak-China Relations and on Chinese customs.
The exhibitions are being held to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The Prime Minister watched a cultural show of Chinese artists and acrobats.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of China to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui said they are looking forward to the visit of Prime Minister Gilani to China next month.
He called relations between Pakistan and China as all weather and higher than Himalayas, deeper than Arabian sea and sweeter than honey.
People of China achieved prosperity for themselves through their hard work and contributed to the stability of the region and the world, he added.
The Ambassador said Pakistan is a brotherly country which extended unconditional support to China on various issues.
Peace-keeping Efforts in Afghanistan
NATO's role in Afghanistan
NATO’s main role in Afghanistan is to assist the Afghan Government in extending its authority and influence across the country, paving the way for reconstruction and effective governance. It does this predominately through its UN-mandated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
Since NATO took command of ISAF in 2003, the Alliance has gradually expanded the reach of its mission, originally limited to Kabul, to cover Afghanistan’s whole territory. The number of ISAF troops has grown accordingly from the initial 5,000 to around 50.000 troops coming from 42 countries, including all 28 NATO members.
ISAF missions
ISAF is a key component of the international community’s engagement in Afghanistan, assisting the Afghan authorities in providing security and stability and creating the conditions for reconstruction and development. ISAF, through its Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTS), is helping the Afghan Authorities strengthen the institutions required to fully establish good governance and to promote human rights. PRTs’ principal mission consists of building capacity, supporting the growth of governance structures and promoting an environment which governance can improve.
ISAF’s main role is to assist the Afghan government in the establishment of a secure and stable environment. ISAF forces are conducting security and stability operations throughout the country together with the Afghan National Security Forces and are directly involved in the development of the Afghan National Army through mentoring, training and equipping. ISAF conducts security and stability operations across Afghanistan.
Main Roles of Peace-Keeping Efforts in Afghanistan
The two main roles were to support the Afghan National Army and to support the Afghan National Police.
Firstly, the ISAF is helping the Afghan National Army (ANA) to operating capability in support of the United States which is sponsoring the overall ANA training and equipping programme.Under the NATO Equipment Donation Programme, Allied Command Operations (ACO), with its headquarters in Mons Belgium, coordinates equipment donations on behalf of ISAF contributing nations. A funding programme has also been established to cover the transportation and installation costs of the equipment donations, the purchase of equipment, the purchase of services for engineering & construction projects and trainings.
Secondly, the ISAF also provides support to the Afghan National Police (ANP) within means of ISAF’s key supporting tasks. ISAF works with United States as well as the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL) which was launched in June 2007
Limitations in the Peace-Keeping Efforts
However, there may be limited success despite efforts to keep peace in Afghanistan. On 10th February 2008, the NATO commander says that more troops are needed in the Afghanistan due to disrupting critics saying that the alliance is losing Afghanistan. The commander asked for more troops from member nations to aid in the programme.
All 26 member nations have sent contingents, but the total force remains short of aircraft, intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities and about 7,000 troops.
There is minor small progress on the governance and economic development due to the shortages in resources that were donated.
Solutions to Problems
The NATO commander commented that the NATO governments and private groups working in Afghanistan do not have a coordinated reporting system. Thus, he hopes that the alliance can change by appointing a civilian coordinator for its Afghan mission. The troop shortage, and other problems will be discussed when NATO's top leaders meet at a summit in Romania in April, 2008.
Peace-keeping Efforts in Iraq
What is NATO?
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is an alliance of 28 countries from North America and Europe committed to fulfilling the goals of the North Atlantic Treaty which was signed on 4 April 1949.
What does NATO do?
The fundamental role of NATO is to safeguard the freedom and security of its member countries by political and military means. NATO has helped end bloody conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Today, NATO-led forces are helping to bring stability to Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq and Darfur. Dialogue and co-operation with non-NATO countries are helping to overcome the divisions of the Cold War era and to extend security and stability well beyond NATO borders. The Alliance is taking on new operations: bringing stability to Afghanistan, assisting Iraq, protecting against terrorism in the Mediterranean and helping the African union to bring peace to the Darfur region of Sudan. NATO is also broadening cooperation with other international organisations such as the European Union.
Peace-keeping Efforts in Iraq
There have been attempts by the international community to improve and repair the infrastructure of Iraq in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion, when much was destroyed. The NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I) was set up in 2004 at the request of the Iraqi Government. NTM-I focuses on training and mentoring through the NATO Training and Equipment Co-ordination Group. Their main aim is to help Iraq develop a democratic and safe country. To enforce this initiative, NATO works with the Iraqi government on a structured cooperation framework to develop a long-term relationship with Iraq.
How the Efforts are being carried out:
NATO is helping the Iraqi government build the capability to ensure, by its own means, the security needs of the Iraqi people.
The NATO Training Implementation Mission was established on 30 July 2004. NATO extended training assistance to bridge the gap between routine police work and military operations. Training is also expanded to include navy and force leadership training, border security and small arms accountability. NATO members contribute to training efforts in Iraq through financial contributions or donations of equipment.
Expanding NATO's assistance
On 9 December 2004, NATO Foreign Ministers authorized the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) to start the next stage of the mission.This paved way for the deployment of 300 additional staff, including trainers and support staff, and a significant increase in the existing training and mentoring given to mid- and senior-level personnel from the Iraqi security forces.
Thus, it changed the mission’s name from NATO Training Implementation Mission to NATO Training Mission-Iraq. In April 2008, NATO leaders extended the Mission through 2009 and approved proposals for a structured cooperation framework to develop the Alliance’s long-term relationship with Iraq.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) is an alliance of 28 countries from North America and Europe committed to fulfilling the goals of the North Atlantic Treaty which was signed on 4 April 1949.
What does NATO do?
The fundamental role of NATO is to safeguard the freedom and security of its member countries by political and military means. NATO has helped end bloody conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Today, NATO-led forces are helping to bring stability to Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq and Darfur. Dialogue and co-operation with non-NATO countries are helping to overcome the divisions of the Cold War era and to extend security and stability well beyond NATO borders. The Alliance is taking on new operations: bringing stability to Afghanistan, assisting Iraq, protecting against terrorism in the Mediterranean and helping the African union to bring peace to the Darfur region of Sudan. NATO is also broadening cooperation with other international organisations such as the European Union.
Peace-keeping Efforts in Iraq
There have been attempts by the international community to improve and repair the infrastructure of Iraq in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion, when much was destroyed. The NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I) was set up in 2004 at the request of the Iraqi Government. NTM-I focuses on training and mentoring through the NATO Training and Equipment Co-ordination Group. Their main aim is to help Iraq develop a democratic and safe country. To enforce this initiative, NATO works with the Iraqi government on a structured cooperation framework to develop a long-term relationship with Iraq.
How the Efforts are being carried out:
NATO is helping the Iraqi government build the capability to ensure, by its own means, the security needs of the Iraqi people.
The NATO Training Implementation Mission was established on 30 July 2004. NATO extended training assistance to bridge the gap between routine police work and military operations. Training is also expanded to include navy and force leadership training, border security and small arms accountability. NATO members contribute to training efforts in Iraq through financial contributions or donations of equipment.
Expanding NATO's assistance
On 9 December 2004, NATO Foreign Ministers authorized the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) to start the next stage of the mission.This paved way for the deployment of 300 additional staff, including trainers and support staff, and a significant increase in the existing training and mentoring given to mid- and senior-level personnel from the Iraqi security forces.
Thus, it changed the mission’s name from NATO Training Implementation Mission to NATO Training Mission-Iraq. In April 2008, NATO leaders extended the Mission through 2009 and approved proposals for a structured cooperation framework to develop the Alliance’s long-term relationship with Iraq.
Peace-Keeping Efforts of UN in Indo-Pakistan
United Nations (UN)
Facts about the UN
There are currently 192 members in the UN. The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. The current UN peace-keeping operation ranks at 16.
Due to its unique international character, the Organization can take action on a wide range of issues. The UN is best known for peacekeeping, peace building, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance. The Organization works on fundamental issues such as sustainable development, environment and refugees protection, disaster relief, counter terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation, to promoting democracy, human rights, governance, economic and social development and international health, clearing landmines, expanding food production, to achieve its goals and coordinate efforts for a safer world for this and future generations.
United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP)
United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) was set up in 1949 in January to supervise the ceasefire that was agreed upon by India and Pakistan in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. However, renewed hostilities had the UNMOGIP monitors the ceasefire called for by the United Nations Security Council.
Background Information of the Indian and Pakistan Conflict
When the British withdrew from the India after the World War Two, it was divided, primarily on religious grounds, into the two states of India and Pakistan. Kashmir was included in India, but the issue of which state it should belong to has been contested ever since, largely because Kashmir's population is predominantly Muslim.
UN’s Intervention
India and Pakistan declared independence on August 1947. Under the scheme of partition provided by the Indian Independence Act of 1947, Kashmir belonged to either India or Pakistan. This became a catalyst for the conflict between two countries and fighting ensued the next year.
In January, the Security Council established the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) to mediate the dispute. In April 1948, the council decided to enlarge the membership of UNCIP to recommend more measures to stop the fighting. In July 1949, India and Pakistan signed the Karachi Agreement establishing a ceasefire line which is supervised. The Council decided that with the termination of the UNCIP, the UNMOGIP should continue with the supervision. Thee UNMOGIP’s functions were to observe, report and investigate complaints of ceasefire violations.
However, hostilities broke out again at the end of 1971. The ceasefire came into effect with a few positions on the 1949 ceasefire line changed. In July 1972, India and Pakistan signed an agreement defining the line of Control with slight deviations established in the Karachi Agreement in 1949. Pakistan, however, did not accept the new agreement.
Both countries had disagreements about the UNMOGIP’s mandate and functions. However, the agreement can only be terminated by the Security Council. The Pakistan Government has continuously lodged complaints about ceasefire violations whereas the Indian military had restricted the activities of UN observers in India. However, both countries have continued to provide accommodation, transport and other facilities to UNMOGIP.
India and Pakistan Relations today
Despite numerous territorial disputes and military conflicts, attempts to warm ties have been made. Agreements talks, confidence building measures and aid in times of disasters have eased strained political ties.
Firstly, India voiced increasing concern over Pakistan’s nuclear weapon programmes and Pakistani arm purchases. Thus, in the effort to curtail tensions, the two countries formed a joint commission to examine disputes. In December 1988, the prime ministers of both countries signed a pact to not attack each other’s nuclear facilities. Agreements on cultural exchanges and civil aviation were also initiated.
Secondly, In June 1997, the foreign secretaries identified eight "outstanding issues" around which continuing talks would be focused. The agreement talks broke down over the structure of how to deal with the issues of Kashmir, and peace and security.
Thirdly, India offered generous aid to Pakistan during the 2005 Earthquake. India pledged monetary and relief material to the victims of the earthquake. This generous gesture opened a channel for co-operation between both India and Pakistan.
Facts about the UN
There are currently 192 members in the UN. The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. The current UN peace-keeping operation ranks at 16.
Due to its unique international character, the Organization can take action on a wide range of issues. The UN is best known for peacekeeping, peace building, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance. The Organization works on fundamental issues such as sustainable development, environment and refugees protection, disaster relief, counter terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation, to promoting democracy, human rights, governance, economic and social development and international health, clearing landmines, expanding food production, to achieve its goals and coordinate efforts for a safer world for this and future generations.
United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP)
United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) was set up in 1949 in January to supervise the ceasefire that was agreed upon by India and Pakistan in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. However, renewed hostilities had the UNMOGIP monitors the ceasefire called for by the United Nations Security Council.
Background Information of the Indian and Pakistan Conflict
When the British withdrew from the India after the World War Two, it was divided, primarily on religious grounds, into the two states of India and Pakistan. Kashmir was included in India, but the issue of which state it should belong to has been contested ever since, largely because Kashmir's population is predominantly Muslim.
UN’s Intervention
India and Pakistan declared independence on August 1947. Under the scheme of partition provided by the Indian Independence Act of 1947, Kashmir belonged to either India or Pakistan. This became a catalyst for the conflict between two countries and fighting ensued the next year.
In January, the Security Council established the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) to mediate the dispute. In April 1948, the council decided to enlarge the membership of UNCIP to recommend more measures to stop the fighting. In July 1949, India and Pakistan signed the Karachi Agreement establishing a ceasefire line which is supervised. The Council decided that with the termination of the UNCIP, the UNMOGIP should continue with the supervision. Thee UNMOGIP’s functions were to observe, report and investigate complaints of ceasefire violations.
However, hostilities broke out again at the end of 1971. The ceasefire came into effect with a few positions on the 1949 ceasefire line changed. In July 1972, India and Pakistan signed an agreement defining the line of Control with slight deviations established in the Karachi Agreement in 1949. Pakistan, however, did not accept the new agreement.
Both countries had disagreements about the UNMOGIP’s mandate and functions. However, the agreement can only be terminated by the Security Council. The Pakistan Government has continuously lodged complaints about ceasefire violations whereas the Indian military had restricted the activities of UN observers in India. However, both countries have continued to provide accommodation, transport and other facilities to UNMOGIP.
India and Pakistan Relations today
Despite numerous territorial disputes and military conflicts, attempts to warm ties have been made. Agreements talks, confidence building measures and aid in times of disasters have eased strained political ties.
Firstly, India voiced increasing concern over Pakistan’s nuclear weapon programmes and Pakistani arm purchases. Thus, in the effort to curtail tensions, the two countries formed a joint commission to examine disputes. In December 1988, the prime ministers of both countries signed a pact to not attack each other’s nuclear facilities. Agreements on cultural exchanges and civil aviation were also initiated.
Secondly, In June 1997, the foreign secretaries identified eight "outstanding issues" around which continuing talks would be focused. The agreement talks broke down over the structure of how to deal with the issues of Kashmir, and peace and security.
Thirdly, India offered generous aid to Pakistan during the 2005 Earthquake. India pledged monetary and relief material to the victims of the earthquake. This generous gesture opened a channel for co-operation between both India and Pakistan.
China's Contribution to UN Peacekeeping Grows
As the United Nations finds its peacekeeping missions stretched around the world, one major power is making a difference. China, a country that once criticized UN peacekeeping operations as interference with national sovereignty, is now a major troop contributor. Close to 2,200 Chinese are now wearing the characteristic blue helmets of U.N. peacekeepers.
Chinese peacekeepers are an increasing and welcome presence to over-stretched UN peacekeeping operations from Sudan to Haiti and Liberia.
With 115,000 blue helmets dispersed around the world on increasingly complex missions, the U.N. says it is grateful for the Chinese contribution. Alain Le Roy is the United Nations Undersecretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations.
"Their troops are very well disciplined of course, the organization of their command structure is extraordinary and whether you are on the ground in Haiti or Darfur, the Chinese camp can be easily recognized and the competence of the troops, their engineers, their doctors are at a very high quality," he said.
China does not provide combat troops, but it does provide medical teams, engineers, civilian police, and military observers. Chinese diplomats at the UN say they want to project a reassuring peaceful image, one of a responsible country.
And China's Ambassador to the U.N., Zhang Yesui, says as the country develops they will become more involved.
"China is still a developing country and a low income developing country but I am confident that as China develops we will be in a better situation to contribute more to United Nations Peace keeping operations," he explained.
The current commitment of 2,200 peacekeepers is not a large one for a country that has a standing army of more than 2 million, but it is valuable in terms of the image it projects in the international community, especially in Africa, where the deployment of its blue helmets coincides with a wave of Chinese investment.
"Whenever there is peace, I think there will be opportunities for investment," he added. "So I think this is very important for the business people as well."
Presently, China ranks far behind peacekeeping giants such as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh or Nigeria, but its contribution has surpassed that of most western countries. China also has recently deployed several naval vessels to help combat piracy off the coast of Somalia.
Peacekeeping analyst Richard Gowan from the Center on International Cooperation sees China as filling a gap that many Western powers cannot handle.
"Western countries do not have the money and they do not have the troops to sustain significant peacekeeping outside Afghanistan and the Balkans, and China is taking advantage of that. It's filling the gap. And China is starting to look like a global power, while European countries especially are in retreat."
The U.N. hopes the Chinese surge will motivate other countries to follow suit. The United States and Britain have all down-scaled U.N. peacekeeping, focusing more on providing money rather than troops. Former UN Peacekeeping Operations Head Jean Marie Guehenno says that gives the impression to some that they do not care about U.N. operations.
And he argues Chinese involvement may encourage other large powers to get back into peacekeeping."I think it is not at all unthinkable that at some point there would be greater re-engagement of the Western members of the Security Council in peacekeeping and I think the engagement of China is an additional factor that may push in that direction and that is a good thing," he noted.
Around the world, blue helmets are the ambassadors of a new China.
Chinese peacekeepers are an increasing and welcome presence to over-stretched UN peacekeeping operations from Sudan to Haiti and Liberia.
With 115,000 blue helmets dispersed around the world on increasingly complex missions, the U.N. says it is grateful for the Chinese contribution. Alain Le Roy is the United Nations Undersecretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations.
"Their troops are very well disciplined of course, the organization of their command structure is extraordinary and whether you are on the ground in Haiti or Darfur, the Chinese camp can be easily recognized and the competence of the troops, their engineers, their doctors are at a very high quality," he said.
China does not provide combat troops, but it does provide medical teams, engineers, civilian police, and military observers. Chinese diplomats at the UN say they want to project a reassuring peaceful image, one of a responsible country.
And China's Ambassador to the U.N., Zhang Yesui, says as the country develops they will become more involved.
"China is still a developing country and a low income developing country but I am confident that as China develops we will be in a better situation to contribute more to United Nations Peace keeping operations," he explained.
The current commitment of 2,200 peacekeepers is not a large one for a country that has a standing army of more than 2 million, but it is valuable in terms of the image it projects in the international community, especially in Africa, where the deployment of its blue helmets coincides with a wave of Chinese investment.
"Whenever there is peace, I think there will be opportunities for investment," he added. "So I think this is very important for the business people as well."
Presently, China ranks far behind peacekeeping giants such as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh or Nigeria, but its contribution has surpassed that of most western countries. China also has recently deployed several naval vessels to help combat piracy off the coast of Somalia.
Peacekeeping analyst Richard Gowan from the Center on International Cooperation sees China as filling a gap that many Western powers cannot handle.
"Western countries do not have the money and they do not have the troops to sustain significant peacekeeping outside Afghanistan and the Balkans, and China is taking advantage of that. It's filling the gap. And China is starting to look like a global power, while European countries especially are in retreat."
The U.N. hopes the Chinese surge will motivate other countries to follow suit. The United States and Britain have all down-scaled U.N. peacekeeping, focusing more on providing money rather than troops. Former UN Peacekeeping Operations Head Jean Marie Guehenno says that gives the impression to some that they do not care about U.N. operations.
And he argues Chinese involvement may encourage other large powers to get back into peacekeeping."I think it is not at all unthinkable that at some point there would be greater re-engagement of the Western members of the Security Council in peacekeeping and I think the engagement of China is an additional factor that may push in that direction and that is a good thing," he noted.
Around the world, blue helmets are the ambassadors of a new China.
(Voice of America)
Role of Religious Organization in Peace Keeping- North East India
North east India consists of the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. They are different from the other parts of India and have only recently been added to India’s political scene. As such, there is still a lot of unrest amongst the various ethnic groups with regards to territories and rights. The rebellions come in the form of merders, burning of houses, villages, churches, etc.
The Joint Peace-Team of Northeast India consists of representatives from the Lutheran, Baptist, Presbyterian, CNI, Catholic and the NEICC Churches, led by Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, and they serve to look for the cause of outbreaks of violence and provide it with a solution and an angle to approach it from. They also serve as a voice to the public for the victims, as many of the places cannot be reached by the media.
The Northeastern Team affirmed that their success was mainly due to the fact they worked together as an ecumenical team, for relief, rehabilitation and peace-building; that they kept close to their Hindu and Muslim friends in the neighborhood and elicited support from the Administration. At every stage they made sure not to alienate the local officers nor general public.
They insisted that there would be no substitute for building up neighborhood relationships, especially when the time comes for the police to be withdrawn. Confidence-building gestures must become visible. Emphasis was placed on the importance of throwing feelers to the opponent seeking for dialogue. If this cannot be done directly, an effort could be done through a third party.
They do understand the need to handle inter-ethnic tensions as inter-ethnic tensions. By allowing such tensions to develop a religious dimension, they acknowledge that they are merely isolating and weakening ourselves stating that that is precisely what their opponents are trying to do, thus refusing to yield to that.
In the same way, they believe that one should never provoke the opposing group nor allow ourselves to be provoked. If unpleasantnesses have arisen between communities due to economic or political imbalances or even perceived unfairness of one group against another, they have to be addressed accordingly; dialogue must be initiated. Experience has shown that when problems are handled according to their nature (economic, political, cultural, social), the religious prejudice that has been artificially linked with the issue, often disappears. Stray incidents are bound to happen when things are returning to normal after a serious conflict. They should not be generalized.
The experience of the Northeastern Team has been that it is always better to look to the future after a tragedy than list the grievances of the past and assign responsibilities for each of the negative things that have happened. Even claims of rights, insistence of justice, winning of cases…all these are of value only if neighborhood harmony can be restored, confidence built up, and relationship re-established.
Thus, we can see that this particular religious organization tries as far as possible to stay in a neutral position, not siding with any one party in question. In addition, they hold a very logical viewpoint, first analyzing the situation and discussing solutions not according to what their holy book says but according to what is logical. In addition, their strong ties with the other religions keep them safe from any misunderstandings between the various groups. Thus, the serve as the analyzers, solution providers and in some situations the executors, making sure that what they are proposing is tailor fitted to the situation at hand.
The Joint Peace-Team of Northeast India consists of representatives from the Lutheran, Baptist, Presbyterian, CNI, Catholic and the NEICC Churches, led by Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, and they serve to look for the cause of outbreaks of violence and provide it with a solution and an angle to approach it from. They also serve as a voice to the public for the victims, as many of the places cannot be reached by the media.
The Northeastern Team affirmed that their success was mainly due to the fact they worked together as an ecumenical team, for relief, rehabilitation and peace-building; that they kept close to their Hindu and Muslim friends in the neighborhood and elicited support from the Administration. At every stage they made sure not to alienate the local officers nor general public.
They insisted that there would be no substitute for building up neighborhood relationships, especially when the time comes for the police to be withdrawn. Confidence-building gestures must become visible. Emphasis was placed on the importance of throwing feelers to the opponent seeking for dialogue. If this cannot be done directly, an effort could be done through a third party.
They do understand the need to handle inter-ethnic tensions as inter-ethnic tensions. By allowing such tensions to develop a religious dimension, they acknowledge that they are merely isolating and weakening ourselves stating that that is precisely what their opponents are trying to do, thus refusing to yield to that.
In the same way, they believe that one should never provoke the opposing group nor allow ourselves to be provoked. If unpleasantnesses have arisen between communities due to economic or political imbalances or even perceived unfairness of one group against another, they have to be addressed accordingly; dialogue must be initiated. Experience has shown that when problems are handled according to their nature (economic, political, cultural, social), the religious prejudice that has been artificially linked with the issue, often disappears. Stray incidents are bound to happen when things are returning to normal after a serious conflict. They should not be generalized.
The experience of the Northeastern Team has been that it is always better to look to the future after a tragedy than list the grievances of the past and assign responsibilities for each of the negative things that have happened. Even claims of rights, insistence of justice, winning of cases…all these are of value only if neighborhood harmony can be restored, confidence built up, and relationship re-established.
Thus, we can see that this particular religious organization tries as far as possible to stay in a neutral position, not siding with any one party in question. In addition, they hold a very logical viewpoint, first analyzing the situation and discussing solutions not according to what their holy book says but according to what is logical. In addition, their strong ties with the other religions keep them safe from any misunderstandings between the various groups. Thus, the serve as the analyzers, solution providers and in some situations the executors, making sure that what they are proposing is tailor fitted to the situation at hand.
Bilateral Relations
Singapore, US satisfied with bilateral relations
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Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick on Tuesday expressed their satisfaction at the state of bilateral relations, according to a statement by Lee's press secretary.
During their hour-long meeting, Lee said that he looks forward to strengthening the multi-faceted relations between Singapore and the United States in his first official visit to the America scheduled for the coming July.
Lee reiterated Singapore's support for the United States in the global fight against terrorism while Zoellick briefed Lee on the developments in the Middle East and the reconstruction of Iraq.
Singapore is the last leg of Zoellick's trip to Southeast Asia to review post-tsunami reconstruction efforts as well as bilateral economic and security issues, which started on May 2.
In a press conference held in the American Embassy here on Tuesday, Zoellick emphasized that Southeast Asia, with dynamic economies, strategic sealanes and a population of 500 million people, is a key region for the United States.
"It is in the broader Asian region's interest to have a strong, healthy and dynamic ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), " he added.
He said that he explored ways to boost trade and economic ties between the United States and Southeast Asian nations during his meetings with state leaders and senior officials of Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, countries covered by his trip.
Another important part of his trip, according to Zoellick, is to strengthen security ties between the United States and the region.
Recognizing terrorism as a global threat and taking various forms, he noted that ASEAN countries have been cooperating with the United States in areas including maritime security, counter terrorism and proliferation security.
As for post-tsunami response, Zoellick said that the United States has been working closely with countries in the region and is pleased to render help in the reconstruction efforts in Indonesia's Aceh, the worst hit area by the disaster of last December.
He assured that his country will keep the focus of attention in this regard as the US Congress has approved a 900-million-dollar post-tsunami package and the government is committed to building a 250 km road in the western part of Aceh.
Zoellick arrived in Singapore on Monday for a three-day visit. He also met with Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Foreign Minister George Yeo during his stay in the island state.
font size ZoomIn ZoomOut
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick on Tuesday expressed their satisfaction at the state of bilateral relations, according to a statement by Lee's press secretary.
During their hour-long meeting, Lee said that he looks forward to strengthening the multi-faceted relations between Singapore and the United States in his first official visit to the America scheduled for the coming July.
Lee reiterated Singapore's support for the United States in the global fight against terrorism while Zoellick briefed Lee on the developments in the Middle East and the reconstruction of Iraq.
Singapore is the last leg of Zoellick's trip to Southeast Asia to review post-tsunami reconstruction efforts as well as bilateral economic and security issues, which started on May 2.
In a press conference held in the American Embassy here on Tuesday, Zoellick emphasized that Southeast Asia, with dynamic economies, strategic sealanes and a population of 500 million people, is a key region for the United States.
"It is in the broader Asian region's interest to have a strong, healthy and dynamic ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), " he added.
He said that he explored ways to boost trade and economic ties between the United States and Southeast Asian nations during his meetings with state leaders and senior officials of Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, countries covered by his trip.
Another important part of his trip, according to Zoellick, is to strengthen security ties between the United States and the region.
Recognizing terrorism as a global threat and taking various forms, he noted that ASEAN countries have been cooperating with the United States in areas including maritime security, counter terrorism and proliferation security.
As for post-tsunami response, Zoellick said that the United States has been working closely with countries in the region and is pleased to render help in the reconstruction efforts in Indonesia's Aceh, the worst hit area by the disaster of last December.
He assured that his country will keep the focus of attention in this regard as the US Congress has approved a 900-million-dollar post-tsunami package and the government is committed to building a 250 km road in the western part of Aceh.
Zoellick arrived in Singapore on Monday for a three-day visit. He also met with Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Foreign Minister George Yeo during his stay in the island state.
The role of United Nations in peacekeeping in Asia and the Middle East
Completed missions in the Middle East:
Completed missions in Asia:
Completed missions in Asia:
An example of how ASEAN attempt to have peace
ASEAN Leaders, at their 7th Summit on 5 November 2001 in Brunei Darussalam, adopted the 2001 ASEAN Declaration on Joint Action to Counter Terrorism. The ASEAN Leaders viewed terrorism as a profound threat to international peace and security and "a direct challenge to the attainment of peace, progress and prosperity of ASEAN and the realization of ASEAN Vision 2020". They expressed commitment to combat terrorism in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, other international laws and relevant UN resolutions. They also underlined that "cooperative efforts in this regard should consider joint practical counter-terrorism measures in line with specific circumstances in the region and in each member country".
They also identified specific measures for ASEAN to implement the Declaration, namely:
•Review and strengthen national mechanisms to combat terrorism;
•Call for the early signing/ratification of or accession to all relevant anti-terrorist conventions including the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism;
•Deepen cooperation among ASEAN’s front-line law enforcement agencies in combating terrorism and sharing "best practices";
•Study relevant international conventions on terrorism with the view to integrating them with ASEAN mechanisms on combating international terrorism;
•Enhance information/intelligence exchange to facilitate the flow of information, in particular, on terrorists and terrorist organisations, their movement and funding, and any other information needed to protect lives, property and the security of all modes of travel;
•Strengthen existing cooperation and coordination between the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and other relevant ASEAN bodies in countering, preventing and suppressing all forms of terrorist acts. Particular attention would be paid to finding ways to combat terrorist organisations, support infrastructure and funding and bringing the perpetrators to justice;
•Develop regional capacity building programmes to enhance existing capabilities of ASEAN member countries to investigate, detect, monitor and report on terrorist acts;
•Discuss and explore practical ideas and initiatives to increase ASEAN's role in and involvement with the international community including extra-regional partners within existing frameworks such as the ASEAN + 3, the ASEAN Dialogue Partners and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), to make the fight against terrorism a truly regional and global endeavour;
•Strengthen cooperation at the bilateral, regional and international levels in combating terrorism in a comprehensive manner and affirm that at the international level the United Nations should play a major role in this regard.
•The specific measures outlined in the Declaration have been incorporated in the Terrorism component of the Work Programme to Implement the ASEAN Plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crime adopted in May 2002. The Work Programme is based along 6 strategic thrust namely:
• information exchange;
• cooperation in legal matters;
• cooperation in law enforcement matters;
• institutional capacity building;
• training; and
• extra-regional cooperation.
ASEAN is also carrying out training programmes and projects in counter terrorism in 2003, including on psychological operation/psychological warfare courses for law enforcement authorities and on intelligence procuring. Courses on bomb/explosive detection, post-blast investigation, airport security and passport/document security and inspection are also planned.
They also identified specific measures for ASEAN to implement the Declaration, namely:
•Review and strengthen national mechanisms to combat terrorism;
•Call for the early signing/ratification of or accession to all relevant anti-terrorist conventions including the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism;
•Deepen cooperation among ASEAN’s front-line law enforcement agencies in combating terrorism and sharing "best practices";
•Study relevant international conventions on terrorism with the view to integrating them with ASEAN mechanisms on combating international terrorism;
•Enhance information/intelligence exchange to facilitate the flow of information, in particular, on terrorists and terrorist organisations, their movement and funding, and any other information needed to protect lives, property and the security of all modes of travel;
•Strengthen existing cooperation and coordination between the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and other relevant ASEAN bodies in countering, preventing and suppressing all forms of terrorist acts. Particular attention would be paid to finding ways to combat terrorist organisations, support infrastructure and funding and bringing the perpetrators to justice;
•Develop regional capacity building programmes to enhance existing capabilities of ASEAN member countries to investigate, detect, monitor and report on terrorist acts;
•Discuss and explore practical ideas and initiatives to increase ASEAN's role in and involvement with the international community including extra-regional partners within existing frameworks such as the ASEAN + 3, the ASEAN Dialogue Partners and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), to make the fight against terrorism a truly regional and global endeavour;
•Strengthen cooperation at the bilateral, regional and international levels in combating terrorism in a comprehensive manner and affirm that at the international level the United Nations should play a major role in this regard.
•The specific measures outlined in the Declaration have been incorporated in the Terrorism component of the Work Programme to Implement the ASEAN Plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crime adopted in May 2002. The Work Programme is based along 6 strategic thrust namely:
• information exchange;
• cooperation in legal matters;
• cooperation in law enforcement matters;
• institutional capacity building;
• training; and
• extra-regional cooperation.
ASEAN is also carrying out training programmes and projects in counter terrorism in 2003, including on psychological operation/psychological warfare courses for law enforcement authorities and on intelligence procuring. Courses on bomb/explosive detection, post-blast investigation, airport security and passport/document security and inspection are also planned.
How ASEAN has helped in peacekeeping
Over the past four decades, ASEAN has managed to contain historical animosities among the members and minimize frictions. It has succeeded in bringing together major political rivals in the region – Japan and China and India and China.
The second reality is the rise of a new sense of Asian identity, forged during the financial crisis in 1997 when the region felt abandoned by the US and ill-served by international institutions like the IMF. Asean has helped grow this new regionalism but moderated it so as not to exclude the US and allow the rise of a regional hegemony. This helps to bond the countries together and to maintain peace.
In this period, Asean has been the only entity able to bring together consistently the giants of Northeast Asia – China, Japan and South Korea -- in the ASEAN+3 meeting. It is also Asean that has reached out to the wider East Asian Summit to include Australia, New Zealand and India, which is often seen as a hedge against Chinese domination.
Recognizing the organization’s importance, China has sought to improve its relations with the region by working through the organization. It has sought to sooth the regional anxiety over its contentious claim to the South China Sea by signing a code of conduct in 2002. Although the territorial claims remain unresolved, the code has managed to maintain peace.
The second reality is the rise of a new sense of Asian identity, forged during the financial crisis in 1997 when the region felt abandoned by the US and ill-served by international institutions like the IMF. Asean has helped grow this new regionalism but moderated it so as not to exclude the US and allow the rise of a regional hegemony. This helps to bond the countries together and to maintain peace.
In this period, Asean has been the only entity able to bring together consistently the giants of Northeast Asia – China, Japan and South Korea -- in the ASEAN+3 meeting. It is also Asean that has reached out to the wider East Asian Summit to include Australia, New Zealand and India, which is often seen as a hedge against Chinese domination.
Recognizing the organization’s importance, China has sought to improve its relations with the region by working through the organization. It has sought to sooth the regional anxiety over its contentious claim to the South China Sea by signing a code of conduct in 2002. Although the territorial claims remain unresolved, the code has managed to maintain peace.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
The purpose of ASEAN is to help promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries of the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.
The ASEAN Member states have adopted the following fundamental principles:
1. Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity,and national identity of all nations
2. The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion or coercion
3. Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another
4. Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner
5. Renunciation of the threat or use of force
6. Effective cooperation among themselves.
The ASEAN Community is comprised of three pillars, namely the ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.
The creation of ASEAN was the result of efforts by some Southeast Asian states to create
an association that could provide the framework for successful management of disputes
among them. The creation of ASEAN can be seen as determined by the desire of its
original member-states; i.e. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and
Thailand, to handle existing and potential inter-state disputes through peaceful measures
and minimise the risk of militarised conflicts.
At the time of ASEAN’s conception, Southeast Asia was beset by instability aggravated by underdevelopment. The ASEAN pioneer states themselves were just beginning to learn to trust one another, while nursing the hangover of bitter disputes of recent years. The newborn ASEAN was, therefore, presented as a subregional grouping for economic, social and cultural cooperation. However, security concerns and political purposes were never far from the ASEAN founders’ intentions.
As a key figure in ASEAN diplomacy, former Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas has pointed out, “The truth is that politics attended ASEAN at its birth. It was the convergence in political outlook among the five original members, their shared convictions on national priority objectives and on how best to secure these objectives in the evolving strategic environment of East Asia which impelled them to form ASEAN.”
ASEAN’s leaders have reaffirmed that co-operative peace and shared prosperity should be the association’s basic goals. Towards these goals ASEAN shall remain a driving force in building a more predictable and constructive pattern of relationships among nations in the Asia-Pacific region.
The ASEAN Member states have adopted the following fundamental principles:
1. Mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity,and national identity of all nations
2. The right of every State to lead its national existence free from external interference, subversion or coercion
3. Non-interference in the internal affairs of one another
4. Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner
5. Renunciation of the threat or use of force
6. Effective cooperation among themselves.
The ASEAN Community is comprised of three pillars, namely the ASEAN Political-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.
The creation of ASEAN was the result of efforts by some Southeast Asian states to create
an association that could provide the framework for successful management of disputes
among them. The creation of ASEAN can be seen as determined by the desire of its
original member-states; i.e. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and
Thailand, to handle existing and potential inter-state disputes through peaceful measures
and minimise the risk of militarised conflicts.
At the time of ASEAN’s conception, Southeast Asia was beset by instability aggravated by underdevelopment. The ASEAN pioneer states themselves were just beginning to learn to trust one another, while nursing the hangover of bitter disputes of recent years. The newborn ASEAN was, therefore, presented as a subregional grouping for economic, social and cultural cooperation. However, security concerns and political purposes were never far from the ASEAN founders’ intentions.
As a key figure in ASEAN diplomacy, former Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas has pointed out, “The truth is that politics attended ASEAN at its birth. It was the convergence in political outlook among the five original members, their shared convictions on national priority objectives and on how best to secure these objectives in the evolving strategic environment of East Asia which impelled them to form ASEAN.”
ASEAN’s leaders have reaffirmed that co-operative peace and shared prosperity should be the association’s basic goals. Towards these goals ASEAN shall remain a driving force in building a more predictable and constructive pattern of relationships among nations in the Asia-Pacific region.
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