Menu
27/01/2004
Unilateral military action undermines global peace efforts: UN
Unilateral military action, akin to that employed by Britain and the US against Iraq, undermines the efforts of the community of nations pursuing global peace, according to the UN Deputy Secretary General.
Speaking at the Sixth Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses Asian Security Conference in India yesterday, Louise Fréchette criticised certain countries which perceive they have the right to "unilaterally use pre-emptive force" without agreement by the Security Council.
The Deputy Secretary General said: "This logic represents a fundamental challenge to the principles on which, however imperfectly, world peace and stability have rested for nearly six decades, and could easily lead to a proliferation of the unilateral and lawless use of force, with or without justification."
The "current security paradigm" - the 'Post 9-11 context' - raised a number of questions which must be resolved in order to strengthen the system of collective security, she said.
However, Ms Frechette stressed that the UN Charter was not "a suicide pact" – adding that States would not adhere to it unless they had confidence that threats would be dealt with "through collective action".
Elsewhere in her hard-hitting speech, Ms Frechette warned that UN member states – particularly European – must provide greater assistance for future peacekeeping operations as current levels of support were "insufficient" to meet rising demands.
There had been a "marked shift in the composition of… peacekeeping forces", away from richer OECD countries to the developing nations. The Deputy Secretary General also pointed to the "manifest imbalance" between the 30,000 NATO peacekeepers deployed in "tiny" Kosovo and the 10,000 UN peacekeepers deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The latter is a nation the size of Western Europe, and where some 3.5 million people may have died as a result of fighting since 1998, she said.
(gmcg)
Speaking at the Sixth Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses Asian Security Conference in India yesterday, Louise Fréchette criticised certain countries which perceive they have the right to "unilaterally use pre-emptive force" without agreement by the Security Council.
The Deputy Secretary General said: "This logic represents a fundamental challenge to the principles on which, however imperfectly, world peace and stability have rested for nearly six decades, and could easily lead to a proliferation of the unilateral and lawless use of force, with or without justification."
The "current security paradigm" - the 'Post 9-11 context' - raised a number of questions which must be resolved in order to strengthen the system of collective security, she said.
However, Ms Frechette stressed that the UN Charter was not "a suicide pact" – adding that States would not adhere to it unless they had confidence that threats would be dealt with "through collective action".
Elsewhere in her hard-hitting speech, Ms Frechette warned that UN member states – particularly European – must provide greater assistance for future peacekeeping operations as current levels of support were "insufficient" to meet rising demands.
There had been a "marked shift in the composition of… peacekeeping forces", away from richer OECD countries to the developing nations. The Deputy Secretary General also pointed to the "manifest imbalance" between the 30,000 NATO peacekeepers deployed in "tiny" Kosovo and the 10,000 UN peacekeepers deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The latter is a nation the size of Western Europe, and where some 3.5 million people may have died as a result of fighting since 1998, she said.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 May 2004
$1bn needed to maintain UN peacekeeping missions: Annan
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has warned that an extra $1 billion will be needed by the end of the year to fund the ever-growing number of peacekeeping missions.
$1bn needed to maintain UN peacekeeping missions: Annan
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has warned that an extra $1 billion will be needed by the end of the year to fund the ever-growing number of peacekeeping missions.
18 March 2004
Troops destined for Kosovo peacekeeping force
The Ministry of Defence is preparing to send an additional 750 troops to Kosovo. The move comes on a call from Nato requesting that the KFOR peacekeeping force be strengthened in the face of continuing ethnic unrest in the area of former Yugoslavia.
Troops destined for Kosovo peacekeeping force
The Ministry of Defence is preparing to send an additional 750 troops to Kosovo. The move comes on a call from Nato requesting that the KFOR peacekeeping force be strengthened in the face of continuing ethnic unrest in the area of former Yugoslavia.
02 April 2003
Regulatory body for security guards and bouncers launched
In a shake up of the private security industry announced today bouncers and wheel clampers will have to be licensed and regulated by the new Security Industry Authority (SIA). The measures are designed to protect the public from rogue operators and create higher standards of recruitment and training for private security operatives and managers.
Regulatory body for security guards and bouncers launched
In a shake up of the private security industry announced today bouncers and wheel clampers will have to be licensed and regulated by the new Security Industry Authority (SIA). The measures are designed to protect the public from rogue operators and create higher standards of recruitment and training for private security operatives and managers.
18 August 2006
UN seeks commitment for Lebanon peacekeeping force
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown has said there had been “a reasonable start” from United Nations Member States participating in a meeting of potential troop contributors for an expanded and more robust peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, but that much work remains to be done to achieve the initial deadline of dispatch
UN seeks commitment for Lebanon peacekeeping force
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Mark Malloch Brown has said there had been “a reasonable start” from United Nations Member States participating in a meeting of potential troop contributors for an expanded and more robust peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, but that much work remains to be done to achieve the initial deadline of dispatch
28 April 2011
Syrian's Royal Wedding Invite Withdrawn
Foreign Secretary William Hague has decided that the presence of the Syrian Ambassador at the Royal Wedding would be unacceptable and that he should not attend.
Syrian's Royal Wedding Invite Withdrawn
Foreign Secretary William Hague has decided that the presence of the Syrian Ambassador at the Royal Wedding would be unacceptable and that he should not attend.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
