UN peace-keeping activities need broad support.

UN peace-keeping activities require the "broadest and most informed popular support", Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar told a forum on "Peace-keeping in the 1990s," sponsored by Parliamentarians for Global Action at UN Headquarters on 2 November.

Formerly, the image of a peacekeeping operation was that of one conducted mainly with the help of soldiers drawn from neutral countries, he said. Now with operations having many functions, combinations of military, police and civilian personnel were being deployed, such as that of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group (UNTAG) in Namibia.

Conditions for success in peacekeeping operations, he specified, included: a workable mandate, consistent support of the Security Council, aid provision by Member States of military personnel and adequate finances.

He suggested that Member States earmark units in their armed forces for use, when necessary, by the UN. Logistical support should also be readily available. Advanced technologies should be used to monitor cease-fires and troop withdrawals.

The 1989 session of the General Assembly was marked by the search for innovative approaches to UN peace-keeping operations, with new ideas and suggestions being discussed. And some steps have been taken to translate those ideas into practical action. On 8 December, the Assembly asked (44/49) the Secretary-General to provide Member States with information on the requirements for peace-keeping operations and to invite States to identify...