Global Policy Forum

By Betsy Pisik

Singapore's mission here touched an unexpectedly raw nerve last week when it invited troop-contributing nations to discuss their concerns with the U.N. Security Council.

More than a dozen ambassadors vented their frustrations with the often-insular council, demanding more influence and better information before they commit their soldiers to U.N. operations.

"We want to see increased cooperation from conceptualization to termination," said Jeanette Ndhlovu, South Africa's deputy ambassador. That sentiment was repeated, with varying forcefulness, by every envoy from a troop-contributing country who spoke on Tuesday.

They told council members they resented how little information they were given about prospective and ongoing missions.

The peacekeeping budget is expected to top $3 billion this year. Duties range from traditional peace enforcement along the Ethiopian-Eritrean border to peace-building operations in Sierra Leone and nation building in Kosovo and East Timor.

The U.N.'s peacekeeping department has 37,733 military and civilian personnel from 89 nations deployed in 15 missions throughout the world. Of those, 8,000 come from Security Council member states, and most of them are logistical or medical specialists, civilian police or monitors. The most dangerous positions tend to be filled by people from the poorest nations.

Jordan's ambassador, Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid al-Hussein, suggested that Security Council members set an example, saying, "The privilege of acting on behalf of us nonmembers . . . should include the sharing of risk in the field." He said that while Jordan is "prepared to serve with others, anywhere and everywhere, we are not prepared to be the servants of others - obeying blindly, unquestioning."

Nigeria, with 3,525 peacekeepers the largest single contributor, demanded that contributors and regional players be consulted at all stages of decision making.

"The present system is inadequate," said Nigerian Ambassador Arthur Mbanefo. He suggested that all parties involved receive written reports from the peacekeeping department and have a chance to respond - subsidized by U.N. headquarters, if necessary.

Britain, Pakistan, Canada and several other nations suggested setting up a panel of specialists to advise the council on troop contributor issues, but the United States cautioned against creating new bureaucracies.

"My delegation is open to new ideas to build a better process to overcome inertia," said James Cunningham, the U.S. deputy ambassador to the United Nations.

"But we don't confuse mechanisms and more meetings with substance, cooperation and partnership. We all know the problem, it's been around for a while."