Defence Forces Review 2008

Defence Forces Review 2008
This new consensus behind peacekeeping comes at a time when important operations are
imminent - in Namibia and Western Sahara1, for example. These operations should provide a
practical testing ground for strengthening the foundations of this important technique.
The long-term aim remains what it has always been - to evolve a collective system of
international peace and security, reliable and strong enough that governments in trouble or
under threat will choose to bring their problems to the United Nations rather than trying to go
it alone in unilateral efforts which usually end in disaster. To achieve this goal the member
states of the United Nations should make deliberate and practical efforts to foster the growth
of collective responsibility, international confidence, operational capacity, and respect for
the decisions and operations of the United Nations. Such an effort could give the phrase
“international peace and security” a reality which it has so far lacked.
In a larger perspective, we must work towards a time when war will cease to be an acceptable
option of national policy or a possible means of settling disputes, and when a reliable and
respected international system will take its place. In this perspective the development of
international peacekeeping has an essential place. Just as the concept of civil police was
essential to the development of the rule of law within nation states.
When we talk of peacekeeping we are, at the present time, referring to one area of international
activity. But the principles and techniques involved in peacekeeping may be applicable and
relevant to other areas and other problems: the principles of impartiality and objectivity;
the symbolic representation of international authority; the process of securing compliance
through cooperation; the providing of pretexts for conforming to international decisions; the
capacity for fact-finding; the monitoring of the implementation of agreements; the developing
of a capacity for preempting disasters or preventing conflicts. These are all essential elements
of the peacekeeping technique which need further development. They may also prove to be an
important basis for dealing with the global problems which now present an urgent challenge
to the international community.
I hope that the attention now being given to peacekeeping, which is symbolized by the award of
the Nobel Peace Prize, will not only strengthen our capacity to conduct the affairs of nations in
a more peaceful and just manner. I hope it will also stimulate a wider effort to consider the new
means and the new institutions which we shall need if we are to ensure our common future.
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