| Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to the international Seminar on UN Peacekeeping. Your
participation underlines the commitment of the international community to world peace, and
support to the United Nations. We hope that the next few days will provide an opportunity
to all of you for an interesting exchange of views. We hope the consensus evolved will
also be carried forward to the debate in the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping, which
will take place in New York shortly.
Last year, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of UN
peacekeeping activities. One of the foremost purposes of the UN Charter is the maintenance
of international peace and security. UN peacekeeping operations give expression to this
principle.
The United Nations began its peacekeeping activities
when cold war politics had paralysed decision-making in the Security Council. It was a
brave attempt by the nascent organisation. What began as a tentative attempt has come to
be accepted as a regular feature of the UN's activities. Often, it is the most visible
aspect of the UN, determining its image in public perceptions.
The United Nations is uniquely placed to play the
peace-keeping role. It is the only truly universal organisation that we have. Its
political authority cannot be matched by efforts of individual States or regional
arrangements.
History is witness to national wars, or wars fought
by military alliances. Their objectives have often been territorial or ideological gains.
What is unique about UN peacekeeping is that it reflects universal objectives, rather than
partisan interests.
The most successful model of peacekeeping which
evolved is based on consent of the host State. The consensual approach to peacekeeping is
as relevant today, as it was in the past. This was reinforced by UN's experience in
Somalia. It was acknowledged by the UN Secretary General in his report "Supplement to
an Agenda for Peace". The UNSG mentioned that the principles of neutrality,
impartiality and minimum use of force have an abiding relevance to UN peacekeeping.
Peacekeeping must be seen as part of a broader UN
framework. Development must remain central to UN's agenda. Only a world free of hunger and
want would be free of strife. Purely military solutions cannot bring enduring peace.
The UN system reflects the multilateral approach. The
strengths and limitations of this approach also affect UN peacekeeping. As a universal
body, the UN can bring to bear its unique moral authority. Peacekeeping efforts do not
necessarily depend on preponderance of force at the UN's command. Support of a broad
spectrum of the international community is essential to their success. This also points to
the inherent limitation of UN peacekeeping. Its success will depend upon the support
received from Member States, who must provide the UN with men and material.
The trend towards unilateral action is a cause of
concern. This trend is a departure from the spirit of universalism underlying the UN
Charter. Unless checked in time, this will erode the UN's authority.
While the strong assert their will for unilateral
action, the weak are called upon to accept greater limits on their sovereignty. Failed
state syndrome is cited as justification for intrusive peacekeeping. This syndrome may
represent isolated cases, rather than an universal model.
Sovereignty is not a barrier to UN's action.
Cooperation of Member States would strengthen UN's hands.
The UN has been facing an acute financial crisis. The
crisis does not necessarily reflect any structural flaw. It is created by the reluctance
of some to pay their assessed contribution. India believes that assessed contributions are
a treaty obligation, and must be paid in full, on time and without preconditions. The UN
Secretary General must be provided adequate resources to discharge the legislative mandate
given to him either in the field of development or peacekeeping.
The UN peacekeeping budget has been reduced to less
than 1/3rd of the level few years ago. This drastic reduction in the peacekeeping budget
would indeed have been welcome if the world was a more peaceful place. Unfortunately, this
is not the case. We have witnessed instability, war and ethnic strife not only in Asia and
Africa, but also in Europe. We do hope that the problem is resolved quickly and UN's
finances placed on a more stable footing.
The peacekeeping budget seen against the enormous
amounts spent by national governments, particularly the industrialised states as defence
expenditure, is small. It nevertheless plays an important part in keeping peace in much of
the world.
While financial reforms are important, it is equally
important to reform and expand the UN Security Council, which sets the mandate for
peacekeeping operations. Enhancing representation of developing countries in the permanent
as well as non-permanent members' category would give it more political authority.
Peacekeeping operations are most often undertaken in developing regions. Developing
countries also provide most troops to UN peacekeeping. They should also have greater say
in decision making.
India has consistently supported UN's peacekeeping
activities. Our troops have taken part in some of the most risky operations, including
those in Egypt, the Congo, Cambodia, Somalia and Rwanda. Over the years, India provided a
cumulative total of 50,000 troops to 29 UN peacekeeping operations.
The United Nations Emergency Force in Sinai was one
of the earliest UN peacekeeping operations in which Indian troops participated. Over 11
years, India provided more than 12,000 troops to UN operations. India demonstrated its
capacity to sustain large troop commitments over a prolonged period.
The UN operation in the Congo marked a watershed in
the evolution of the UN. This was the first UN operation where peace enforcement was
authorised. What was significant was that the United Nations showed its determination to
defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity of a Member State even if it
involved use of force. 39 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives in discharging the
mandate given by the United Nations.
There have been other important milestones in the
evolution of UN peacekeeping. The United Nations played a crucial role in Namibia's
transition from a colony to a sovereign, independent country. We have the privilege of
having amongst us today Namibia's Deputy. Foreign Minister His Excellency Tuliameni
Kalomoh. For decades, India was part of the diplomatic efforts which went into this
process. Once the UN Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) was established to supervise
elections and pave the way for achieving Namibia's independence, India provided troops as
well as a Force Commander.
India demonstrated its capacity to provide an
integrated force comprising land, sea and air elements to UN peacekeeping efforts in
Somalia. The Indian contingent also provided humanitarian assistance. It is significant
that there were the smallest number of casualties of the Somali people in the area of
operation of the Indian contingent. Recently, we were called upon to provide one battalion
of troops to UN Interim Force in Lebanon. The Indian contingent has already been deployed.
Our participation in peacekeeping is not based on
strategic interest but flows from our commitment to the United Nations. India has
contributed to the maintenance of international peace and security through participation
in UN peacekeeping operations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. We are confident
that other member States will also join with us in collective efforts for maintaining and
upholding international peace and security. |
