INTERVIEW: PEACEKEEPING AND PARTNERSHIPS

INTERVIEW: PEACEKEEPING AND PARTNERSHIPS
New York, May 29 2012 5:10PM
In 2011, 112 UN peacekeepers were killed in the line of duty – adding to the almost 3,000 military, police and civilian staff members who have lost their lives as a result of acts of violence, accidents and disease since the first UN peacekeeping mission in 1948.

On 29 May of each year, tribute is paid to their sacrifice as part of the observance of the <"http://www.un.org/en/events/peacekeepersday/">International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers – a day set aside to remember the courage of those individuals who put their lives on the line when they deploy to UN missions around the world.


The theme for this year's observance is '<em>Peacekeeping is a global partnership</em>,' reflecting the key role play by partners such as Member States, host countries and regional organizations in helping the UN address threats to international peace and security.


The head of UN peacekeeping, Under-Secretary-General Hervé Ladsous, spoke with the <"http://www.un.org/news/">UN News Centre about the Day's theme and the sacrifice made by the UN's 'blue helmets.'



<strong>UN News Centre:</strong> What role do partnerships play in UN peacekeeping?

<div id="EmbedPhotoLeft" style="width:210px;"><"/News/dh/photos/large/2012/May/480099-haiti.jpg" class="lightbox" title="Brazilian peacekeepers serving in Haiti. Since its beginning in 1948, UN peacekeeping has evolved into one of the main tools used by the international community to manage complex crises that threaten international peace and security. UN Photo/V. Hazou" rel="gallery-default"><img class="Embed" src="/News/dh/photos/2012/May/480099-haiti.jpg" style="width:200px; height:133px;">
<p class="phtocaption2">Brazilian peacekeepers serving in Haiti. Since its beginning in 1948, UN peacekeeping has evolved into one of the main tools used by the international community to manage complex crises that threaten international peace and security. UN Photo/V. Hazou</p>
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<strong>Hervé Ladsous:</strong> Peacekeeping is fundamentally a partnership. It is a partnership between the political organs of the United Nations – the Security Council – which gives us our mandates. It involves also those countries who contribute human and financial resources to help us do the job. It is, finally, a partnership with the host country because usually that is the way we operate, we have to join our efforts to actually help the country concerned emerge from conflict, be it international or domestic, or to build or rebuild itself. We have only these partnerships to help us do effectively the job we are mandated to.

<strong>UN News Centre:</strong> What challenges are there in peacekeeping partnerships and how do you resolve those challenges?

<strong>Hervé Ladsous:</strong> Yes [there are challenges], because the partners do not always have the same vision, so you have to reconcile politically, to make sure all the partners are comfortable. You have differing levels of equipment, for instance, of training – all this has to be continually adjusted and it is one of the priorities to make it work, so you can solve the problems when they occur and preferably before they appear.

<div id="EmbedPhotoRight" style="width:210px;"><"/News/dh/photos/large/2012/May/493634-unifil.jpg" class="lightbox" title="Uniformed and civilian peacekeepers deliver school supplies to children in Lebanon. The work of peacekeepers has evolved from activities such as monitoring ceasefires into complex, multi-dimensional operations involving tasks such as supporting political processes and protecting civilians. UN Photo/P. Gorriz" rel="gallery-default"><img class="Embed" src="/News/dh/photos/2012/May/493634-unifil.jpg" style="width:200px; height:133px;">
<p class="phtocaption2">Uniformed and civilian peacekeepers deliver school supplies to children in Lebanon. The work of peacekeepers has evolved from activities such as monitoring ceasefires into complex, multi-dimensional operations involving tasks such as supporting political processes and protecting civilians. UN Photo/P. Gorriz</p>
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[In terms of partners providing equipment] basically, we have to upgrade the standards for all regular equipment. I would say we do have one major problem: a large deficit in military helicopters, which are very necessary in operations, be it for transporting soldiers and their equipment; or, be it for medical evacuation, including in difficult conditions, sometimes under fire. And, also, to deter various spoilers or armed groups from doing nasty things to civilians, including the mass raping of women. The very fact that we can send in our attack helicopters, gunships, plays a very crucial role in sending the message that we mean business, that we are really decided to do whatever is necessary to effectively protect civilians.

<strong>UN News Centre:</strong> Why such difficulties in obtaining such much-needed equipment – is it due to the tough economic situation being experienced around the world?

<strong>Hervé Ladsous:</strong> I think that is one factor. The other factor is that many countries, you would remember, still have a great deal of equipment in Afghanistan, for instance. That of course will change in time; by 2014 I think we will see many machines becoming available again. In the meantime, we are literally approaching many countries to say 'whatever you can do will help.'

<strong>UN News Centre:</strong> How do you manage the different visions and expectations of what a partnership will lead to?

<div id="EmbedPhotoLeft" style="width:210px;"><"/News/dh/photos/large/2012/May/493075-ladsous.jpg" class="lightbox" title="Mr. Ladsous reviews a colourguard made up of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Liberia. The theme of this year's International Day of UN Peacekeepers is partnerships - including those with the Security Council, the Member States and the host countries where peacekeeping missions are located. UN Photo/O. Chassot" rel="gallery-default"><img class="Embed" src="/News/dh/photos/2012/May/493075-ladsous.jpg" style="width:200px; height:133px;">
<p class="phtocaption2">Mr. Ladsous reviews a colourguard made up of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Liberia. The theme of this year's International Day of UN Peacekeepers is partnerships - including those with the Security Council, the Member States and the host countries where peacekeeping missions are located. UN Photo/O. Chassot</p></div>

<strong>Hervé Ladsous:</strong> I think we have to be both ambitious and pragmatic: ambitious because we have usually a shared goal and that is to bring back peace and security to a troubled country or region. We have to be pragmatic about how we go about it, and that involves many discussions. I would just mention that my very first trip when I took over my duties last year was actually to go to Addis Ababa to have work meetings with the African Union and the African Commission for Peace and Security, and see how together we could improve the working methods.

The same with the European Union, and with NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization]. I intend to have contact shortly with the Organization of American States; and, with ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] I have already had contact.

I think working with these regional partners gives us additional legitimacy. We have legitimacy through the Charter of the United Nations, of course, but when the regional organization is seen to be strongly working together with us, I think it is a bonus for both them and us.

<strong>UN News Centre:</strong> What role does Africa play in peacekeeping and partnerships?

<strong>Hervé Ladsous:</strong> Africa i
May 29 2012 5:10PM
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