United Nations (Hansard, 17 May 1993)

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg

The United Nations is actively involved in peacekeeping operations in the following geographical areas:

UNOMOZ (United Nations Mission in Mozambique)

Mandate: Verification of the ceasefire, the separation and concentration of forces, their demobilisation and the collection, storage and destruction of weapons; to provide security for vital infrastructure and to provide security for United Nations and other international activities in support of the peace process.

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UNAVEM II (United Nations Angola Verification Mission)

Mandate: Originally to monitor the withdrawal of Cuban forces, the maintenance of the ceasefire and the elections. However, the crisis that developed after the election thrust UNAVEM into a central mediating role. The deteriorating security situation has now further limited UNAVEM's ability to facilitate negotiations between the Government and UNITA. UNAVEM's mandate expires at the end of May, and a report by the Secretary General is then due to discuss which direction UNAVEM should take.

UNIKOM (United Nations Kuwait Observer Mission)

Mandate: To monitor the Khor Abdullah (waterway) and a demilitarised zone (extending 10 kms into Iraq and 5 kms into Kuwait), to deter violations of the boundary through its presence in and surveillance of the DMZ, to observe any hostile or potentially hostile action mounted from the territory of one state or the other. Since 5 February 1993, UNIKOM has also had the powers to prevent physically, and if necessary redress, violations of the border or DMZ.

UNTAC (United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia)

Mandate: To ensure the ceasefire is maintained, organising the demobilisation of the factions' armed forces, arranging free and fair elections, creating a neutral political environment for those elections, overseeing human rights observances, repatriating refugees and relocating those displaced by war within Cambodia.

ONUSAL (United Nations Mission in El Salvador)

Mandate: Human rights verification. Monitoring the ceasefire and implementing the peace accords (including supervision of the demobilisation of Government and FMLN forces).

UNFICYP (UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus)

Mandate: Originally to prevent a recurrence of fighting, to contribute to the restoration and maintenance of law and order and a return to normal conditions. Since the hostilities in 1974 UNFICYP has taken on additional functions relating to the maintenance of the ceasefire and control of the buffer zone. It also carries out humanitarian functions.

UNOSOM (UN operation in Somalia)

Mandate: To provide a secure environment for relief operations, to undertake disarmament and to maximise protection of aid workers.

MINURSO (UN Mission for a Referendum in Western Sahara)

Mandate: To monitor the ceasefire and confinement of each party's troops to designated locations, to facilitate exchanges of POWS (under the auspices of the ICRC) and to organise and monitor a referendum for the self determination of the people of Western Sahara.

UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon)

Mandate: To confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces, restore international peace and security, and assist the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in Southern Lebanon. To prevent the recurrence of fighting and to ensure that its area of operation would not be used for hostile activities of any kind.

UNPROFOR (UN Protection Force in the former Republic of Yugoslavia)

Mandate: Wide ranging, but focusing in particular on

(a) Bosnia—protective support for the delivery of humanitarian aid and
(b) in Croatia—implementation of the Vance plan.

In addition to the above, the UN is also involved in several other countries eg Haiti, South Africa, Syria/Israel, India/Pakistan. In these instances its role is principally as an observer.

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