UN Peacekeeping: some questions and answers.

United Nations peacekeepers, wearing distinctive UN blue helmets or berets, are dispatched by the Security Council to help implement peace agreements, monitor ceasefires, patrol demilitarized zones, create buffer zones between opposing forces, and put fighting on hold while negotiators seek peaceful solutions to disputes. But, ultimately, the success of peacekeeping depends on the consent and cooperation of the opposing parties.

The United Nations does not have an army. For each peacekeeping mission, Member States voluntarily provide troops and equipment, for which they are compensated from a special peacekeeping budget. Police officers, election observers, human rights monitors and other civilians sometimes work alongside military personnel in peacekeeping operations. Lightly armed for self-defense - and often unarmed - peacekeepers' strongest "weapon" is their impartiality. They rely on persuasion and minimal use of force to defuse tensions and prevent fighting. It is dangerous business; approximately 1,500 UN peacekeepers have died in the performance of their duties since 1945.

What is the scope of United Nations peacekeeping?

Since 1945, there have been 43 United Nations peacekeeping operations. There are currently 17 under way. Thirty were created by the Security Council between 1988 - when UN peacekeeping operations were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize - and 1997.

Who is in charge?

The 15 Member States of the Security Council - not the Secretary-General - create and define peacekeeping missions. The United Nations Charter specifies that the Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. The five permanent members of the Council - China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, the United States - can veto any decision on peacekeeping operations.

Rank-and-file soldiers on peacekeeping missions do not swear allegiance to the United Nations. Governments that volunteer personnel carefully negotiate the terms of their participation - including command and control arrangements. They retain ultimate authority over their own military forces serving under the UN flag, including disciplinary and personnel matters, and may withdraw their troops if they wish. Peacekeeping soldiers wear their own national uniforms. To identify themselves as peacekeepers, they also wear blue berets. or helmets and the UN insignia.

How much does it cost?

United Nations peacekeeping personnel and equipment cost...