2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1996 | 1995
2001
US Says 'Not Yet' To Patrol By Allies (November 30, 2001)
The US Central Command halted the deployment of thousands of international peacekeepers because "the best intentions in the world, if provided in an uncoordinated way, makes things worse instead of better." (Washington Post)
Powell's Peacekeeping Promise (May 24, 2001)
The US has guaranteed support to Nigerian peacekeepers in UNAMSIL - a good excuse not to send US troops to Africa. Interestingly, the US also has oil interests in Nigeria (AllAfrica.com)
West Face Peacekeeping Accusations (May 16, 2001)
The International Institute for Strategic Studies' annual report accuses Western countries of participating in peacekeeping efforts only if they have a strategic interest.(CNN)
2000
Bolton's Address on the US and UN Peacekeeping (October 11, 2000)
A criticism of the US government for being too loose over policy directions on UN peacekeeping, causing confused and misunderstood missions, which "continues to haunt both the UN and the United States in several current crises." (US Federal News Service)
Holbrooke's Address to UN Budgetary Committee on Peacekeeping (October 3, 2000)
Holbrooke asked the Fifth Committee to re-evaluate the assessment scale for the financing of peacekeeping missions. This is the full transcript of his speech. (US Mission to the UN)
Peacekeeping with Honor (September 18, 2000)
Lead editorial in the New York Times calls for strengthened UN peacekeeping, but insists that the US must be ready to act alone or with its allies if its 'vital interests' are threatened.
US Blamed for Peacekeeping Failures (August 31, 2000)
"US is to blame"â€"such was the message of Kofi Annan in his interview with Time magazine. Even though the Secretary General did not explicitly criticize the Clinton administration, his words were more than direct when he talked about the US as a country that "will not accept a single casualty." (Guardian Unlimited)
US Assists Africa From Distance (August 25, 2000)
The unwillingness of the West to get involved in the UN peacekeeping operations in Africa has now become notorious. In fact, many have hinted at the existence of "an unspoken policy that the United States won't send troops to Africa." (Associated Press)
US Proposal For Senior UN Peacekeeping Post Is Blocked (August 5, 2000)
France brushes off the US's attempt to snatch the top position in the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations. France complains that the US is trying to further exert its already excessive authority in the UN.(Washington Post )
White House Backs Request by Annan (August 5, 2000)
The Clinton administration has begun consultations with the US Congress on beefing up the mission in Sierra Leone. Yet many UN officials remain skeptical of how the US Ambassador to the UN can cajole the notoriously reluctant US Congress to move along with this plan. (Washington Post )
Washington Takes a Blast From Its Envoy at the U.N. (July 21, 2000)
Surprisingly, US Ambassador Richard Holbrooke publicly criticized Washington's funding of UN peacekeeping efforts. This is the first time since his tenure at the UN that Ambassador Holbrooke has turned against his Washington cronies. (New York Times)
UN Council Calls for AIDS Training for UN Troops (July 17, 2000)
Although some delegations expressed queasiness of discussing HIV/AIDS in the Security Council, the resolution passed by a strong push by the US Ambassador to the UN. (Reuters)
UN Says Its Peacekeepers are Spreading AIDS (July 7, 2000)
Alarmed with the disturbing phenomenon, the US proposed a UN Security Council draft resolution that calls the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations to educate all peacekeepers to halt the proliferation of HIV. (Washington Times)
Briefing By US Envoy to the UN Richard Holbrooke on Africa (June 30, 2000)
At a briefing with African journalists, the US Ambassador to the UN explained that Africa is a top priority for the US government. He denied the US's alleged "double" standard towards Africa, but admitted that the US is "partly to blame" for the difficulties in UN peacekeeping. (UN Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN)/ Africa News )
US Ambassador to UN Calls for Changes in Peacekeeping (June 14, 2000)
Amb. Holbrooke of the US urged the professionalization of UN peacekeeping by "borrowing" experienced military personnel to organize effective operations. Holbrooke also argued that all UN members should give more support to the peacekeeping operations. However this is unlikely to be well received considering the criticism against the US for its lack of support of the UN through lagging behind in payments. (New York Times)
Can the UN Help Resolve Africa Conflicts Without US? (May 23, 2000)
Still haunted by the disastrous mission in Somalia, the US is reluctant to provide military or financial support to peacekeeping operations in Africa. Without backing from the US however, peace is becoming more difficult to implement.(Christian Science Monitor )
The United Nations and International Security: Dilemmas and Agendas for American Engagement (April 10, 2000)
A paper by Jeffrey Laurenti expresses the widening gap between the US and the rest of the world regarding the question of legitimate authority to use military force in interstate relations. It highlights the ultimate benefits of working towards international peace and security through the UN.
US Amb. Richard Holbrooke on Revised US Assessments (March 23, 2000)
In his statement to the Fifth Committe of the General Assembly, Amb. Richard Holbrooke urges a lower scale of assessments for the United States and warns that if the US share is not lowered, the financing of the UN and of peacekeeping could collapse.
1999
A Degrading Policy (April 8, 1999)
William D. Hartung's insightful proposals on how the US can avoid future repetitions of the disaster in Kosovo. The US is largely to blame for th UN financial crisis which dangerously reduces its peacekeeping capabilities and capacities to prevent future conflicts.
1996
US Policy on Reforming Multilateral Peace Initiatives (February 1996)
A page posted by the US State Department which summarizes the Clinton Administration's Presidential Decision Directive 25 (May, 1994), setting out US policy on peacekeeping. Initially intended by the Administration as a guideline for broadened multilateralism, PDD 25 came under intense pressure in Washington during the drafting process and emerged as a document which narrowed US commitment to the UN and called for a reduction in peacekeeping spending. For more on PDD 25 and Clinton Administration policy, click here.
1995
Remaking UN Peacekeeping: US Policy and Real Reform (1995)
Executive summary of a reform proposal for a more effective peacekeeping system, written by Worldwatch Institute Senior Researcher Michael Renner. For full report, see bibliography below.
