Nepals Participation In UN Peacekeeping

Nepals Participation In UN PeacekeepingNepal has been pickings discussion section in UN peacekeeping mission operation operation mission mission missions since three historic closure after it became a process of the UN, and has contri neverthelessed numerous peacekeepers in multiple missions. Nepal commemorated 50 years of connection in UN peace support trading operations in 2008 and was the quaternate largest troop contributor to UN peacekeeping missions in 2004 and fifth largest in 2009.1Nepal considers its contribution to UN peacekeeping operations as a tool for implementing Nepali unlike policy, which is guided by the principles of UN Charter.2Historically, Nepals shift towards internalization was an effort to act on unusual policy goals. The Nepalese Armys peacekeeping intricacy was part and parcel of that effort. The UN has provided an important forum for smaller countries like Nepal to pursue its interior(a) interests and get along inappropriate policy wit h dignity and sovereignty.3It has also provided small countries with deterrent example and physical protective cover from aggression, interference, and encroachment.4Nepals major(ip) engagement in UN peacekeeping operations came during the second republican period, 1990-2005. Nepal started move troops under the provision of Chapter VII of UN Charter, when its troops participated in peace enforcement mission in Somalia in 1993. The Nepalese Army (NA) acquired near experience and masterism by operating with other professional armies. Taking part in UN peacekeeping missions is also an hazard to be operational in the field.5Before its involvement in counterinsurgency operations in Nepal in 2001, the NA had a very few opportunities to deploy its soldiers in the field to hone their skills. In addition, working with politeians during peacekeeping missions has considerably altered its salute to deal with dis connatural problems.However, from 1990 through the end of 2000 was a deca de characterized by policy inconsistencies among the armaments transnationalism and the governments internal orientation. The NA was solely focused on its carpenters planetary peacekeeping mission, while the political parties were entangled in national politics. There was a clear gap between the states onslaught and the functioning of one of the instrument of national power, the military. At the strategic take aim, Nepal overleaped a coherent policy that would allow it to institutionalize the experience gained in internationalistic missions. Even after political change of 2005, this slue seems unceasing. My effort in this paper would be to take apart this divergence in Nepal. Before dwell upon the core issue, I attempt to give a skeleton account of the Nepalese peacekeeping participation in different political scenarios.Nepalese Participation in UN Peacekeeping Missions in Different Periods later on becoming a member of the UN in 1955, Nepal participated in the 1958 pe acekeeping mission in Lebanon, UNOGIL. Nepal has since contributed to UN missions in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Caribbean. The first Nepalese battalion-sized contingent, the Purano Gorakh Battalion, was deployed in Egypt with UNEF II in 1974. Throughout the whole Panchayat period, the NA participated in six different peacekeeping missions.6Nepalese peacekeepers dumbfound since made major contributions. There was a surge in NA participation in peacekeeping missions after the organization of multiparty democracy and constitutional monarchy in 1990.7The establishment of a multiparty democratic system in Nepal was a result of the worldwide third wave of democratization. Other parts of the world saw similar political agitation, conflict and transformation. During this period, the majority of NA troops were deployed in peace enforcement and 3-dimensional peacekeeping operations in which internal armed conflicts constituted the major problems. When the Maoists launched an a rmed struggle against the government, the NA faced a challenge to continue participating in peacekeeping missions. However, with the gradual increase in the size of the NA after its involvement in counterinsurgency operations, participation in peacekeeping operations was no continuing hindered.Nepal has taken part in peacekeeping missions in various conflict zones, and some of the NAs high be officers have filled discover appointments in peacekeeping missions. Not only various force commanders and superior officials who directly monitor and supervise international peacekeeping in the field say that the NAs mission action is commendable, but also UN Secretary common has praised Nepalese peacekeepers.8Its peacekeeping contributions allowed Nepal to become an organizational committee member of the UN Peace Building relegation for 2008/2009 in the category of troop-contributing countries.9As of May 2010, Nepal has contributed 76,610 troops in 35 missions around the globe, and at present, the NA has deployed more than 4,420 peacekeepers in 12 different missions in the capacity of military observers, military liaison officers, staff officers in mission headquarters, and as contingent members. The government of Nepal has signed to wangle 5,000 troops available, as and when requested, to the UN Standby Arrangement System (UNSAS).10There has been no change in the trend of Nepalese peacekeeping participation since its first involvement. However, Nepal faces some challenges in peacekeeping. Apart from some logistical and steering difficulties, allegations of human rights violations are also causing some problems in recent years.11 condescension these problems, peacekeeping participation has been continuing. The interim government led by the Nepali Congress party, the Maoist-led government, and the CPN (UML) government all emphasized and praised the Nepals peacekeeping participation wholeheartedly.Most NA members have participated in a UN peacekeeping mission at to the lowest degree once in their military career. After serving for a few years in the army, more or less all NA officers participate in UN peacekeeping missions more than once. Participating in UN peacekeeping is an opportunity for professional enhancement for mevery Nepalese soldiers. Apart from gaining experience, Nepalese Army personnel also ascertain monetary benefits that help raise their living standards and keep them motivated during peacekeeping activities and in their receive country. The UN gross profit is four to eight times higher than a standard salary in Nepal. At the institutional level, economic benefits from peacekeeping have become an important source for the welfare fund. At national level it has significantly contributed to national economy and foreign currency deposit. This shows that peacekeeping missions have become the NAs one of the major roles.12The Nepalese Armys uninterrupted participation in peacekeeping missions during two major political revolu tions in 1990 and 2006 and during its fighting(a) involvement in counterinsurgency operations indicate that the NA has been transforming into a peacekeeper military as set forth by Paul Shemella.13In its many years of UN peacekeeping missions, Nepal has undergone through various experiences and evolution processes. The conceit of peacekeeping missions emerged from the concept of collective security founded in the concept of collective defense that seeks to form alliances against any state which commits an act of aggression. During the tatty War, peacekeeping was express mail to interposing troops between belligerent parties, supervising and confirmatory cease-fires, and observing, monitoring, and reporting. Peacekeeping duties were limited to maintaining the status quo, and emphasis was precondition on impartiality and minimum use of the force, in which neutral countries like Nepal, rather than the permanent members of the UN Security Council, played a significant role.14Thes e missions were mandated by Chapter VI of UN charter. Nepal contributed peacekeepers to missions under Chapter VI. The mere presence of blue helmets was large to restrain the conflicting parties from further hostilities. Non-enforcement was the norm of handed-down peacekeeping. Parties were deterred from relying on force deployment of peacekeepers began after fighting halted peacekeepers used to create buffers without seizing territory and rather than winning territory, peacekeepers aimed to restore order or defend the territory. During those days national contingents did not have to make their own logistical arrangements, as the Wet Lease provision provided everything from toilet paper to tanks. Such arrangements made UN peacekeeping participation less challenging to developing countries like Nepal. Government and armed forces peacekeeping responsibilities were limited to fashioning political or operational decisions to participate in particular missions.The nature of conflict changed with the end of the Cold War, requiring a new approach to peacekeeping missions and the advent of the second and third generations of peacekeeping missions.15The new multidimensional peacekeeping operations focused on facilitating political processes creating a secure and stable environment and strengthen state security apparatus and providing a framework for ensuring that all UN and other actors pursue their activities with close civil and military cooperation as the key to success. Although Nepal participates in most of the multidimensional peacekeeping missions, the lack of civil participation in the Nepalese Armys peacekeeping efforts has impeded the most needed changes in the present context of multi-dimensional peacekeeping efforts.The government treats Nepalese peacekeeping participation as the sole prerogative of the NA, showing a lack of enthusiasm to coordinate and supervise these activities. The Ministry of Defense and Ministry of unlike Affairs have not been ac tive enough in managing peacekeeping efforts. The process of selecting, training, equipping, projecting and maintaining peacekeepers in conflict zones has not been very effective in the changing context.16This is one of the reasons why, despite long and successful involvement in international missions and interactions with other professional armed forces, the NA could not become as efficient as it should have been. The inability to carry prompt synergic effect of peacekeeping and diplomatic efforts on the recent allegation of cholera outbreak in Haiti may have long term implications on Nepalese peacekeeping. These problems can cause a nifty setback in peacekeeping efforts by tarnishing the image of Nepal and the NA.The inability to demonstrate the desirable competence of civilian and military institutions has resulted in inadequate performances in diplomatic as well as operational aspects of peacekeeping.17Also, abstracted a symbiotic relationship between the military and civilian s with regard to peacekeeping involvement, foreign policy and security, Nepal has not been able to achieve maximum output. unknown Policy Aspects of the Nepalese PeacekeepingThe Interim nature of Nepal (2007) states, the Foreign Policy of Nepal shall be guided by the principles of UN Charter, nonalignment, the Panchasheel, International law and the norms of world peace.18The previous Nepalese constitution, the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal (1990), also states that the UN Charter shall be one of the five guiding principles of Nepalese foreign policy.19The Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims that Nepal has consistently supported UN efforts to maintain peace and security by its continued participation in the UN.20The first democratic period from 1950 through 1960 was a time of political upheaval and transformation in Nepal. This was also the period of establishing national identity and preserving national integrity and sovereignty. The political parties and leaders considered th e UN to be the shielder and the guarantor of national identity, integrity, independence and sovereignty.21Thus, the decision to participate in UN peacekeeping missions in 1958 was a crucial one, a watershed moment in Nepalese foreign policy.When Nepal sought UN membership in 1949, the Soviet Union raised the question of Nepalese sovereignty. Nonetheless, Nepal became a UN member in 1955.22The fluid domestic, regional and international political situation made Nepals survival as a nation state of primary enormousness during 1950s and 1960s. In an address to the 15th Session of the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Bisheswar Prasad Koirala saidThe foreign policy of Nepal is wholly inspired by the purposes and principles of UN. We regard UN not only as a parapet of our independence and security, but also as the protector of our rights and freedomWe believe in the independent exercise of our judgment in considering international issues piece of music we welcome and are grateful for the help that is being given to us by friendly governments-those of India, the United States, China, the USSR, the United Kingdom and others-as well as by UN, we do not want any country to tell us how we should think, or how we should conduct our internal affairs.23After the Rana rule and until 1960, the various governments in Nepal had different foreign policy preferences.24 barely the king valued to have a balanced relationship between the two giant neighbors and to maintain the sovereignty of Nepal. While the king was hunt clubing for opportunities, he found that participating in international peacekeeping missions under the egis of the UN was the best way to retain sovereignty and national independence.From 1961 through 1971, King Mahendra played a key role in shaping and implementing foreign policy, seeking to achieve three main objectives maximization, diversification and mobilization. He first tried to expand the playing field of foreign policy by exploiting the preferenc es and the clash of interests between India, China and other major powers. Then he sought to go beyond a limited reliance on a few resources. Finally, he utilized Nepals active participation in international forums like UN and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to pressure and mobilize regional and international powers in Nepals favor.25To utilize peacekeeping participation as a tool to protect Nepals sovereignty, the king dovetailed the armys peacekeeping efforts with countrys foreign policy objectives, adopting an internationalist approach to foreign policy.26This internationalist approach produced a synergic outcome by effectively utilizing the NAs peacekeeping participation to search for Nepals space in international forums. The internationalism came to fruition when Nepal was chosen for important responsibilities in the UN. For instance, Nepal led the Commission of Investigation into the Conditions and Circumstances resulting in the tragic death of then Secretary-General Dag Hammar skjold, who was killed in a plane crash at Ndola in Lusaka in 1961.27The internationalist approach also helped Nepal to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 1969-70 and in 1988-89 by an overwhelming majority. Nepals Zone of Peace Proposal, based on Panchasheel, was a reflection of Nepals aspiration to achieve and maintain its sovereignty, integrity and independence without interference from neighboring countries.28A total of 116 countries supported the proposal, including four permanent members of the UN Security Council. Additionally, this approach helped Nepal to project its image to the international residential area and to maintain its sovereignty, independence and national integrity.The outcome of the internationalist approach during 1970s and 1980s was positive and significant.29But the democratic government formed after 1990 could not formulate any new policy or vision for employing the army in peacekeeping missions, nor did it wholeheartedly continue existing policies. Thus the internationalist approach became dormant. The NAs profound contribution to UN peacekeeping missions could not be fully utilized to support foreign policy objectives and national interests. The Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs also kept a low profile. Without a consecrate defense minister and without the Ministry playing an effective role in peacekeeping activities, peacekeeping remained solely the armys one-on-one domain.Since political attention to the internationalist approach was not sufficient, the NAs participation in UN peacekeeping missions continued without meaningful political-diplomatic congruity.30This resulted in diplomatic setbacks. For instance, by eliminating Nepal, Indonesia was elected as the UN Security Councils non-permanent member for a two years term starting in January 2007.31There could be many reasons for this failure including the weakening of Nepali diplomatic negotiations on various fronts. However, some po sit that it also points to the ineffectiveness of recent Nepalese peacekeeping initiatives. Chiran Thapa writes, Despite Nepals contribution to numerous UN led peace operations, the rejection of Nepals candidacy by an overwhelming majority at the General Assembly clearly suggests that the international community deems Nepal as less capable of serving global security interests.32In the face of Nepals widely lauded participation in peacekeeping, why Nepal is less capable in international forums is a serious issue.ConclusionOver fifty years, the NAs participation in UN peacekeeping has been remarkable. Although Nepals first democratic period (1950-1960) was full of chaos, the political forces in the country realized the necessity of taking an internationalist approach. Therefore, this period was a watershed in Nepals peacekeeping participation as well as its approach to foreign policy. Although an imperative regime, the Panchayat period was an extension and consolidation of the same p olicies with enhanced participation. The positive outcome of the peacekeeping effort was seen during the 1970s and 1980s. After the reestablishment of democracy in 1990, Nepalese peacekeeping efforts increased tremendously, but foreign policy did not go along the peacekeeping contribution. The democratic forces could not fill in the authoritative vacuum created by the political change between the two instruments of national power, military and diplomacy. Despite some shortcomings, Nepals performance in peacekeeping missions has been very successful and widely acclaimed. Nepal could have benefitted highly, both diplomatically and politically, but did not.Nepals peacekeeping participation is being continued in the same pace even after the establishment of republic system. Despite many political ups and downs and changes in political system, there is no difference in opinion in Nepal about its participation in peacekeeping operations. This clearly indicates that there is a consensus am ong the Nepalese political parties that peacekeeping participation contributes to Nepals vital interests. Therefore, the time has come to reassess the gap between the Nepalese peacekeeping participation and foreign policy goal and rectify existing inconsistencies and digressions before it becomes too late.