International (peacekeeping) activities of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Peacekeeping activities International peacekeeping activities of the Russian armed forces briefly
1.2. International peacekeeping activities of the Russian Armed Forces
According to official UN data, by the mid-90s, during major post-war conflicts, the death toll exceeded 20 million people, more than 6 million were maimed, 17 million refugees, 20 million displaced people, and these numbers continue to grow.
From the above it is clear that at the present stage the world community is faced with a serious danger of being drawn into the verses of numerous, unpredictable in their consequences, difficult to control armed conflicts on a different basis, which is a destabilizing factor in the progress of society and requires additional efforts of states in the field of internal and external politics, because any conflict, in its essence, poses a threat to any states and peoples. In this regard, international peacekeeping activities have in recent years become a priority area in the foreign and domestic policies of many states.
The practical participation of Russia (USSR) in UN peacekeeping operations began in October 1973, when the first group of UN military observers was sent to the Middle East.
Since 1991, Russia's participation in these operations has intensified: in April, after the end of the Gulf War, a group of UN Russian military observers (ROM) was sent to the Iraq-Kuwait border area, and in September to Western Sahara. Since the beginning of 1992, the scope of our military observers has expanded to Yugoslavia, Cambodia and Mozambique, and in January 1994 to Rwanda. In October 1994, a UN RVN group was sent to Georgia, in February 1995 - to Angola, in March 1997 to Guatemala, in May 1998 - to Sierra Leone, in July 1999 - to East Timor, in November 1999 - to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Currently, peacekeeping operations carried out under the auspices of the UN involve ten groups of Russian military observers and UN staff officers totaling up to 70 people in the Middle East (Lebanon), on the Iraq-Kuwait border, in Western Sahara, in the former Yugoslavia, in Georgia, Sierra Leone, East Timor, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The main tasks of military observers are to monitor the implementation of armistice agreements, ceasefire between warring parties, as well as to prevent, through their presence without the right to use force, possible violations accepted agreements and agreements of the conflicting parties.
In April 1992, for the first time in the history of Russian peacekeeping activities, on the basis of resolution N743 of the UN Security Council and after completing the necessary internal procedures (decision of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation), a Russian infantry battalion of 900 people was sent to the former Yugoslavia, which in January 1994 reinforced with personnel and BTR-80 armored personnel carriers.
In accordance with the political decision of the Russian leadership, part of the forces of the Russian contingent of the UN forces in February 1994 was redeployed to the Sarajevo area and, after appropriate reinforcement, was transformed into a second battalion (numbering up to 500 people). The main task of this battalion was to ensure the separation of the parties (Bosnian Serbs and Muslims) and monitor compliance with the ceasefire agreement.
In connection with the transfer of powers from the UN to NATO in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Sarajevo sector battalion stopped performing peacekeeping tasks in January 1996 and was withdrawn to Russian territory.
In accordance with the decision of the UN Security Council on the completion of the UN mission in Eastern Slovenia from January 15, 1998, the Russian infantry battalion(up to 950 people), who carried out the tasks of separating the parties (Serbs and Croats), was withdrawn in January this year. from Croatia to Russian territory.
In June 1995, a Russian peacekeeping unit appeared on the African continent.
In August 2000, a Russian aviation unit was again sent to the African continent as part of the UN peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone. This is a Russian aviation group consisting of 4 Mi-24 helicopters and up to 115 personnel.
Russia bears the main material costs with the participation of a special military contingent of the RF Armed Forces in activities to maintain international peace and security in zones of armed conflicts on the territory of the CIS member states.
Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone from 23.7 and from 31.8.1992 on the basis of the Moldavian-Russian agreement on the principles of the peaceful settlement of the armed conflict in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova dated 21.7.1992.
The main task is to monitor compliance with the terms of the truce and assist in maintaining law and order.
South Ossetia. The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone on July 9, 1992 on the basis of the Georgian-Russian Dagomys Agreement of 24.6. 1992 on the settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.
The main task is to ensure control over the ceasefire, the withdrawal of armed formations, the dissolution of self-defense forces and ensuring the security regime in the control zone.
Abkhazia. The military contingent was introduced into the zone of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict on June 23, 1994 on the basis of the Agreement on Ceasefire and Separation of Forces of May 14, 1994.
The main tasks are blocking the conflict area, monitoring the withdrawal of troops and their disarmament, protecting important facilities and communications, escorting humanitarian cargo, and others.
Tajikistan. 201 honey with enhancements became part of the Collective in October 1993 peacekeeping forces CIS on the basis of the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan on cooperation in the military field of May 25, 1993. Agreement of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States on Collective Peacekeeping Forces and joint measures for their logistical support.
The main tasks are assistance in normalizing the situation on the Tajik-Afghan border, protecting vital facilities and others.
At the end of the 20th century, as a result of the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the socialist bloc, a radical change occurred in the existing balance of power and spheres of influence, the process of active disintegration of multinational states began, and tendencies to revise established post-war borders emerged. The United Nations (UN) is constantly involved in resolving numerous disputes and conflicts in various regions of the world.
Quite large military contingents of UN forces, called “peacekeeping forces” (PF), have taken and continue to take part in a number of missions.
After the collapse of the USSR, the Russian Federation, as its successor, continued to participate in a number of UN peacekeeping missions. Representatives of Russia were part of five groups of UN military observers that were part of peacekeeping forces: in the Middle East (in Egypt, Israel, Syria, Lebanon; on the Iraq-Kuwait border); in Western Sahara, Cambodia, Yugoslavia. Later, Russian observers began to be sent to Angola and a number of other countries and regions.
In April 1992 - for the first time in the history of Russian peacekeeping activities - on the basis of a resolution of the UN Security Council and a Resolution of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation, the Russian 554th separate UN battalion was sent to the former Yugoslavia. Russian peacekeepers worthily represented our Armed Forces and made a significant contribution to the first peacekeeping operation in the Balkans, which took place in 1992-1995.
The continuation was the second UN peacekeeping operation in April 1995. Another Russian military unit, the 629th separate UN battalion, also took an active part in it. For two years this military contingent was in Sarajevo.
The international peacekeeping operation in Bosnia, which began with the creation of the Implementation Force (IFOR) in 1996, later replaced by the Stabilization Force (SFOR), has gone down in history as an example of successful actions by the world community to end an armed conflict. The Russian separate airborne brigade of peacekeeping forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was formed in accordance with the Decree of the President of Russia and the directive of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation of November 11, 1995, participated in the implementation of IFOR tasks.
Since 1992, Russia has been actively involved in the peacekeeping process on the territory of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Russian military personnel perform peacekeeping functions, both as part of UN troops and as part of the Collective Peacekeeping Force (CPKF) or independently in the former republics of the Soviet Union.
Conflict in Transnistria . Transnistria is a strip of land in eastern Moldova along the Dniester River. Until 1940, the border ran along the river: the lands to the west were called Bessarabia and belonged to Romania, and Transnistria was part of the Soviet Union. After the entry of Soviet troops into Bessarabia, the Moldavian SSR was formed. Already in our time, when Moldova, like other Soviet republics, left the Union, the Transnistrian people in Tiraspol announced that they were separating from Moldova, based on the fact that the majority of the inhabitants of this territory were Russians and Ukrainians, and in 1940 they were forcibly united with the Moldovans. The authorities of Chisinau tried to restore the integrity of the republic by force. An armed conflict began. Active hostilities took place in the spring of 1992. On July 21, 1992, the Russian-Moldovan agreement “On the principles of the peaceful resolution of the armed conflict in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova” was signed. In accordance with it, a Russian peacekeeping contingent consisting of 6 battalions was introduced into the conflict zone to monitor compliance with the terms of the truce and help maintain law and order.
At the end of 1996, due to the stabilization of the situation, the total number of Russian peacekeeping forces in the region decreased to 2 battalions.
Russia's targeted and coordinated actions to resolve the conflict situation in Transnistria led to stabilization and control over the development of the situation in the region. The result of the peacekeepers’ actions over a five-year period: more than 12 thousand explosive objects neutralized, about 70 thousand pieces of ammunition seized. Great help The “blue helmets” were supported by local residents, heads of self-government bodies, enterprises and organizations of Transnistria and Moldova as a whole. Thanks to joint efforts, the situation in the security zone remains manageable and controllable. The final withdrawal of Russian troops from the region will be determined during further negotiations and in close connection with the political settlement of the Transnistrian conflict.
Conflict in South Ossetia began in 1989, the most acute phase occurred at the end of 1991 - beginning of 1992. It affected not only Georgia, but also Russia most directly. The arrival of tens of thousands of refugees from the south placed a heavy burden on the North Ossetian Republic. Many of them were settled on lands from which the Ingush were expelled at one time. At the same time, a movement arose among the Ossetians for the creation of a single Ossetian state, independent or as part of the Russian Federation, which could further complicate the situation on both sides of the Greater Caucasus Range.
The conflict situation in South Ossetia developed as follows. On June 24, 1992, in Dagomys, it was possible to conclude a tripartite agreement on a ceasefire and the dispatch of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces to the conflict area to monitor the ceasefire, the withdrawal of armed formations, the disbandment of self-defense forces and ensuring the security regime in the control zone. The Russian contingent of these forces (500 people) was approximately equal in number to the Georgian and Ossetian battalions (450 people each). The Joint Peacekeeping Forces in the zone of the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict are taking measures to prevent and suppress armed clashes and separate the conflicting parties.
After the new President M. Saakashvili came to power in Georgia, the situation around South Ossetia again became tense, as the Georgian leadership was increasingly inclined to a military solution to the problem of the unrecognized republic. The situation in the region remains difficult. The fragile stability in South Ossetia is maintained only thanks to the presence of Russian peacekeeping forces. If they are withdrawn, the situation could instantly spiral out of control.
Conflict in Abkhazia . In Abkhazia, the armed conflict from August to December 1992 alone claimed 2 thousand lives. For Russia we're talking about about the fate of tens of thousands of ethnic Russians, of whom in Abkhazia in times of peace there were approximately the same number as Abkhazians (100 thousand). We are also talking about the situation of the Russian army units caught in the conflict zone.
In conditions of deep mistrust between the parties, the implementation of any peace plan requires the presence of peacekeeping forces. The situation in the conflict zone required immediate action, but repeated appeals from the conflicting parties and Russia to the UN about the need for an immediate decision by the Security Council to conduct a peacekeeping operation only led to the dispatch of a UN mission to Georgia. In this regard, in June 1994, military units of the Collective Peacekeeping Forces were introduced into the conflict zone.
The core of these forces were Russian units with a total number of more than 1,800 people, introduced on June 13, 1994 based on a decision of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS. They were tasked with blocking the conflict area, monitoring the withdrawal of troops and their disarmament, protecting important facilities and communications, escorting humanitarian supplies, etc. The legal basis for the deployment of the KSPF in the conflict zone was the Georgian-Abkhaz Agreement on a ceasefire and separation of forces of May 14, 1994 d. It must be emphasized that the Agreement refers to the CIS peacekeeping forces. However, not a single state determined the form and extent of its participation in the operation, and in reality only the Russian military contingent was involved in the force.
During the implementation of peacekeeping tasks by the special military contingent of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the zone of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, great job to prevent the escalation of the armed conflict, partially clear the area of mines, and provide assistance to the local population in establishing life and everyday life after the end of hostilities.
At the same time, Russian military personnel had to act in conditions where the parties, instead of searching for a political compromise, tried to raise confrontation and mistrust between neighboring peoples to a higher level. There was no supervisory authority over the opposing sides.
The situation around the Abkhaz problem worsened after the adoption on January 19, 1996 by the Council of Heads of State of the CIS of the decision “On measures to resolve the conflict in Abkhazia,” which prescribed some restrictions regarding economic and other ties of the CIS member countries with Abkhazia. The situation was complicated by the increasingly obvious desire of the Georgian leadership to solve the Abkhaz problem by force. In particular, the Georgian parliament essentially demanded in the form of an ultimatum to change the mandate of the Collective Peacekeeping Forces in Abkhazia, to give them police and coercive functions.
When conducting a peacekeeping mission in Georgia, Russia sought to strictly follow the three basic principles of peacekeeping: impartiality, neutrality, openness; supported the Georgian leadership on the issue territorial integrity Georgia; actively involved the CIS member states, the UN and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in the Abkhaz settlement, while continuing the peacekeeping operation in the conflict zone.
In March 1997, the Council of Heads of State of the CIS gave a positive assessment of the activities of the Collective Peacekeeping Forces in Abkhazia, noting the important role played by peacekeepers “in stabilizing the situation, creating conditions for the safety of refugees and facilitating a speedy resolution of the conflict.” It was emphasized that about 80% of the population on both banks of the Inguri consider peacekeepers to be the only guarantor of peace, tranquility and stability in the region.
However, in mid-1997 the situation in Abkhazia worsened again. It partially affected the Russian peacekeepers, whose next mandate expired on July 31, 1997. Each of the conflicting parties began to “in their own way” assess the prospects for their activities and the final withdrawal (if there is a decision of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS). The refusal of official Tbilisi to sign the protocol on the Georgian-Abkhaz settlement, already agreed upon through Russian mediation, only increased tension. Soon, Georgian leader E. Shevardnadze began talking about the need to conduct a peacekeeping operation in Abkhazia according to the so-called Bosnian (Dayton) option, based not on maintaining peace, but on enforcing it. But the international community did not support such initiatives.
As for the position of the second side, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Abkhazia sees the Russian peacekeeping forces as the main stabilizing factor in the conflict zone. The presence of Russian peacekeeping forces, Abkhaz diplomats emphasize, creates favorable conditions to advance the negotiation process for a full-scale settlement. Only thanks to the stabilization of the situation in the security zone controlled by the KSPM, about 70 thousand refugees returned to the Gali region of Abkhazia. And the Abkhaz side does not intend to exchange the Russians for anyone else.
Conflict in Tajikistan . The armed conflict in the country developed in the most dramatic way and acquired very violent forms. According to various estimates, the number of deaths during the civil war in this country ranged from 20 thousand to 40 thousand people. About 350 thousand were forced to leave their homes, of which approximately 60 thousand fled to Afghanistan.
The leaders of the Central Asian states (primarily Uzbekistan) and the Russian military took seriously the threat of Islamic extremism looming over Tajikistan. In accordance with the agreement of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS dated September 24, 1993, a special coalition peacekeeping force of the CIS was created, which included the 201st motorized rifle division Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and units (from a separate company to a battalion) from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The collective peacekeeping forces were assigned the following tasks: promoting normalization of the situation on the Tajik-Afghan border in order to stabilize the overall situation in the country and create conditions for dialogue between all parties on ways to politically resolve the conflict; ensuring the delivery, security and distribution of emergency and other humanitarian assistance; creating conditions for the safe return of refugees to their places of permanent residence and protecting national economic and other vital facilities. At the end of 1996, the group of troops in Tajikistan also included a group of border troops of the Russian FSB and the national border service of Tajikistan.
The use of MS in Tajikistan has become a very painful problem for Russia due to the fact that the Russian troops stationed in this state (their number is the largest in the CIS), on the one hand, began to act as a guarantor of the existing power in Dushanbe, and on the other hand , ensure the protection of the borders of Tajikistan and at the same time the entire Central Asian region. Nowhere do peacekeeping forces guard the borders of the state in which they are located. In Tajikistan, actions to resolve conflicts involve the intervention of neighboring states, so protecting the borders of this state is a necessary measure. In many ways, the containment of gangs occurs through the construction of defensive structures, mining of areas and the use of weapons. In the event of an attack, border guards are assisted by units of the 201st Division, with which issues of interaction have been worked out in detail.
Despite all the understandable difficulties in the economies of the Central Asian states, the danger of the spread of Islamic extremism forces the governments of these countries to view Russia's efforts as meeting their national interests. It is also characteristic that with regard to the Taliban movement in Afghanistan, almost all the leaders of the Central Asian republics expressed a negative assessment, seeing in it one of the manifestations of Islamic extremism and a threat to stability in the region, in particular, in connection with the previously real possibility of the Taliban government supporting the radical Tajik opposition . At the same time, the need is emphasized for a more active search for ways to resolve the Tajik conflict with the involvement of moderate Tajik opposition circles. Certain steps are being taken in this direction. In particular, Russian government continues to implement measures aimed at resolving the conflict in order to create conditions for dialogue between the government and representatives of the moderate opposition while isolating the extremist camp financed from abroad, involving representatives of the Muslim clergy, CIS partners directly affected by the crisis - Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan.
Of particular concern among the leaders of the CIS and the command of the peacekeeping forces is not only the general instability in the region, but also the problem of the drug business. Russian peacekeepers are actively fighting the trafficking of drugs from Afghanistan to Russian territory. In recent years, the amount of potion transported across the southern borders has increased manifold. Therefore, it is premature to talk about reducing the role of peacekeeping forces in the region.
Thus, the Collective forces act in the interests of national security not only Tajikistan, but also the entire Central Asian region. Their activities in Tajikistan represent the first and very valuable experience of coalition forces in localizing a civil war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. Peacekeepers are also dying. For example, in just five months of 1997, 12 Russian servicemen were killed in the republic.
Over time, the shape of the Russian military presence in Tajikistan will change. Currently, within the framework of the 1999 agreement between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Russian Federation, a Russian military base has been created on the basis of the 201st motorized rifle division.
However, before complete peace in the republic it is still a long way off.
In addition to purely peacekeeping functions, outside the Russian Federation, the Armed Forces, together with the troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, had to carry out tasks to maintain law and order and the separation of conflicting parties directly on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Ossetian-Ingush conflict . The armed conflict in the Prigorodny district of Vladikavkaz in October-November 1992 was an almost inevitable consequence of the processes that began in the late 1980s. and accelerated sharply with the collapse of the USSR. The ethnic confrontation between local Ossetians, Ossetian refugees from South Ossetia and the Ingush resettled from Chechnya has escalated into an armed conflict. At the same time, the actions of the army during the conflict are assessed more positively than negatively. At the same time, facts indicate that the leadership at the center and at the local level is insufficiently able to control the situation. The lack of clear and timely political decisions forced the command of the 42nd Army Corps, stationed in this region, to make independent decisions to suppress the illegal actions of extremists.
To stop the bloodshed and maintain law and order on the territory of North Ossetia and Ingushetia, a combined military group of about 14 thousand people was formed (March 1994) from the troops of the North Caucasus Military District and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Despite some reduction in conflict in this region, passions still existed. This required immediate intervention from the center in the summer of 1997. Consultations were held with the leaders of the republics, a special working group was created within the Security Council of the Russian Federation to resolve the situation, a decree was prepared on priority measures to normalize the situation in the Prigorodny region, and a number of steps were taken towards “religious reconciliation” in the republics. The conflict has been localized. Attempt international terrorism to blow up the peace in the region - the attack on a school and the taking of hostages in the North Ossetian city of Beslan in September 2004 - was not successful as a result of decisive action by Moscow.
The main positive result of the deployment of peacekeeping contingents of the Russian Federation to conflict areas in most cases is the separation of warring parties, the cessation of bloodshed and unrest, control over the disarmament of the warring parties, and the restoration of normal life for civilians. As a result, favorable conditions were created for resolving controversial issues through peaceful means, through negotiations.
The international activities of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation today are inextricably linked with the implementation of military reform in our country and the reform of the Armed Forces.
As you know, the starting point for reforming the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation was the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of July 16, 1997 “On priority measures to reform the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and improve their structure.” On July 31, 1997, the President approved the Concept for the development of the Armed Forces for the period until 2000.
Military reform is based on sound theoretical base, the results of the calculations, taking into account the changes that took place in the early 90s. in the geopolitical situation in the world, the nature of international relations and the changes that have occurred in Russia itself. Main goal military reform- ensuring the national interests of Russia, which in the defense sphere are to ensure the security of individuals, society and the state from military aggression from other states.
Currently, to prevent war and armed conflicts in the Russian Federation, preference is given to political, economic and other non-military means. At the same time, it is taken into account that, while the non-use of force has not yet become the norm of international relations, the national interests of the Russian Federation require sufficient military power for its defense.
In this regard, the most important task of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is to ensure nuclear deterrence in the interests of preventing both nuclear and conventional large-scale or regional war.
Protecting the national interests of the state presupposes that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation must provide reliable defense of the country. At the same time, the Armed Forces must ensure that the Russian Federation carries out peacekeeping activities both independently and as part of international organizations. The interests of ensuring Russia's national security predetermine the need for Russia's military presence in some strategically important regions of the world.
Long-term goals of ensuring Russia's national security also determine the need for Russia's broad participation in peacekeeping operations. The implementation of such operations is aimed at preventing or eliminating crisis situations at the stage of their inception.
Thus, at present, the Armed Forces are considered by the country's leadership as a deterrent, as a last resort used in cases where the use of peaceful means has not led to the elimination of a military threat to the interests of the country. Execution international obligations Russia's participation in peacekeeping operations is seen as a new task for the Armed Forces to maintain peace.
The main document that determined the creation of Russian peacekeeping forces, the principles of their use and the procedure for using them is the Law of the Russian Federation “On the procedure for providing the Russian Federation with military and civilian personnel to participate in activities By
maintaining or restoring international peace and security" (adopted by the State Duma on May 26, 1995).
To implement this law, in May 1996, the President of the Russian Federation signed Decree No. 637 “On the formation of a special military contingent of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to participate in activities to maintain or restore international peace and security.”
In accordance with this decree, a special military contingent with a total strength of 22 thousand people, consisting of 17 motorized rifle and 4 parachute battalions, was formed in the Russian Armed Forces.
In total, until April 2002, one thousand military personnel from the peacekeeping units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out tasks to maintain peace and security in two regions - the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, Abkhazia.
The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova on June 23, 1992 on the basis of the Agreement between the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation on the principles of the peaceful settlement of the armed conflict in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. The total number of peacekeeping troops was about 500 people.
On March 20, 1998, negotiations took place in Odessa By settlement of the Transnistrian conflict with the participation of Russian, Ukrainian, Moldavian and Transnistrian delegations.
The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone in South Ossetia (Georgia) on July 9, 1992 on the basis of the Dagomys Agreement between the Russian Federation and Georgia on the settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. The total number of this contingent was more than 500 Human.
The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone in Abkhazia on June 23, 1994 on the basis of the Agreement on a Ceasefire and Separation of Forces. The total number of this contingent was about 1,600 people.
Since October 1993, the 201st Motorized Rifle Division of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation has been part of the Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the Republic of Tajikistan in accordance with the Treaty between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan. The total number of this contingent was more than 6 thousand people (inset, photo 36).
Since June 11, 1999, Russian peacekeepers have been on the territory of the autonomous region of Kosovo (Yugoslavia), where in the late 90s. A serious armed confrontation arose between the Serbs and Albanians. The number of Russian contingents was 3,600 people. The separate sector occupied by the Russians in Kosovo gave the Russian Federation equal rights in resolving this interethnic conflict with the five leading NATO countries (USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy).
Completion of control bodies, military units and units of the special military contingent is carried out on a voluntary basis through the preliminary (competitive) selection of military personnel serving under contract. Preparing
training and equipment of peacekeeping forces are being carried out for account of federal budget funds allocated for defense.
While serving as part of a special military contingent, military personnel enjoy the status, privileges and immunities that are accorded to UN personnel during peacekeeping operations in accordance with the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, adopted by General Assembly UN on February 13, 1996, UN Security Convention of December 9, 1994, Protocol on the status of Military Observer Groups and Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the CIS of May 15, 1992.
The personnel of the special military contingent are equipped with light small arms. When performing tasks on the territory of the CIS countries, personnel are provided with all types of allowances in accordance with the standards established in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
The preparation and training of peacekeeping troops is carried out at the bases of a number of formations of the Leningrad and Volga-Ural military districts, as well as at the Higher Officer Courses “Vystrel” in the city of Solnechnogorsk (Moscow region).
The CIS member states concluded an Agreement on the preparation and training of military and civilian personnel to participate in collective peacekeeping operations, determined the procedure for training and education, and approved training programs for all categories of military and civilian personnel assigned to collective peacekeeping forces.
The international activities of the Russian Armed Forces include joint exercises, friendly visits and other events aimed at strengthening common peace and mutual understanding.
On August 7-11, 2000, the joint Russian-Moldovan peacekeeping exercise “Blue Shield” was held.
Questions and tasks
1. The significance and role of the international activities of the Russian Armed Forces in carrying out military reform.
2. Legal framework for peacekeeping activities of the Russian Armed Forces.
3. Status of military personnel of the Russian peacekeeping forces.
Literature
Large encyclopedic dictionary. - M.: Scientific publishing house "Big Russian Encyclopedia"; St. Petersburg: Norint, 1997.
Vasnev V. A., Chinenny S. A. Basics of preparation for military service: Book. for the teacher. - M.: Education, 2002.
Bulletin of military information. - Agency "Voeninform" of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and Russian Information Agency "Novosti". - 1998-2000. - No. 1-12.
Military doctrine of the Russian Federation // Bulletin of military information. - 2000. - No. 5.
Military psychology and pedagogy: Textbook. allowance / Under general. ed. Colonel General V.F. Kulakov. - M.: Perfection, 1998.
Military legislation of the Russian Empire (code Russian Military law). - M.: Military University, 1996.
Military encyclopedic dictionary.-M.: Military publishing house, 1983.
Healthy family / Transl. from English M. G. Lunko, D. A. Ivanova.- M.: Kron-Press, 1994.
Constitution of the Russian Federation. - Any publication.
The concept of national security of the Russian Federation // Bulletin of military information. - 2000. - No. 2.
Brief medical encyclopedia: In 2 volumes / Chief editor. Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences V.I. Pokrovsky. - M.: Scientific and Practical Association “Medical Encyclopedia”, Kron-Press, 1994.
In the service of the Fatherland: On the history of the Russian state and its armed forces, traditions, moral, psychological and legal foundations of military service: A book for reading on the public and state training of soldiers (sailors), sergeants (foremen) of the RF Armed Forces / Ed. V. A. Zolotareva, V. V. Marushchenko. - 3rd ed. - M.: Rus-RKB, 1999.
OBZh. Fundamentals of life safety: Educational and methodological journal.- M.:
Publishing house "Russian Journal". - 1998-2000. - No. 1-12,
General military regulations of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.- M.:
Military Publishing House, 1994.
Petrov S. V., Bubnov V. G. First aid in extreme situations:
Practical guide. - M.: Publishing house NC EIAS, 2000.
Family Code of the Russian Federation. - Any edition.
Smirnov A. T., Mishin B. I., Izhevsky P. V. Fundamentals of medical knowledge and healthy image life. - 2nd ed. - M.: Education, 2002.
Tupikin E. I., Smirnov A. T. Basics of life safety:
Test control of the quality of knowledge of high school students. 10-11 grades. - M.: Education, 2002.
Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. - Latest edition.
Federal laws“On the status of military personnel”, “On military duty and military service” // Collection of legislation of the Russian Federation: Official publication. - M., 1998.
Physical culture: Textbook. for 10-11 grades. general education institutions.- 4th ed. - M.: Education, 2001.
Tsvilyuk G. E. Basics of personal security. - M.: Education, 1997.
Educational edition
Smirnov Anatoly Tikhonovich Mishin Boris Ivanovich Vasnev Viktor Alekseevich
State Committee of the Russian Federation
by education
Essay on life safety on the topic:
“Peacekeeping activities of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. UN peacekeeping operations. ”
11b class
Khrisanova Maria
Moscow, 2001
Introduction........................................................ ....3
Chapter I. Peacekeeping activities of the RF Armed Forces
1. The first Soviet peacekeepers...................................5
2.Russia’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations and activities to maintain peace and security in zones of armed conflicts in the territories former Yugoslavia and CIS member states.................................................... ............8
3.On the status of military personnel taking part in UN peacekeeping operations.................................................... ...................14
Chapter II. UN peacekeeping operations.
1.What are UN peacekeeping operations?.................................................17
2.What is the scale of UN peacekeeping operations?.................................................21
3.Who provides leadership?...................21
4.What does it cost?...................................22
5.What compensation do peacekeepers receive?.................................................... 22
6.Who provides personnel and equipment?................................................. ...23
7.Why do UN peacekeeping operations continue to be important?.................................................... ..........23
Conclusion.........................................................25
References.............................................27
Introduction.
Nowadays, the state of relations between leading states gives rise to some optimism in the low probability of a global nuclear conflict and another world war. However, constantly emerging small and large military conflicts in Europe and Asia, the countries of the “third world”, the claims of many of them to own nuclear weapons, instability political systems in many of these states they do not exclude the possibility of events developing according to an unpredictable scenario, including a major military tragedy. Unresolved disputes and contradictions, as well as armed conflicts arising from them, affect the vital interests of each state and pose a real threat to international peace and security. During conflicts, which often turn into civil wars, massive serious crimes against civilians, the destruction of villages and cities, which are gross violation international conventions. According to official UN data, by the mid-90s, during major post-war conflicts, the death toll exceeded 20 million people, more than 6 million were maimed, 17 million refugees, 20 million displaced people, and these numbers continue to grow.
From the above it is clear that at the present stage the world community is faced with a serious danger of being drawn into the elements of numerous, unpredictable in their consequences, difficult to control armed conflicts on a different basis, which is a destabilizing factor in the progress of society and requires additional efforts of states in the field of domestic and foreign policy , because any conflict, in its essence, poses a threat to any states and peoples. In this regard, international peacekeeping activities have in recent years become a priority area in the foreign and domestic policies of many states.
All of the above makes us think about measures to ensure the protection of society from military attacks from the outside.
The history of human development knows many examples of the creation of interstate organizations, one of whose tasks is to maintain international peace and security. Special attention The solution to this problem, as practice has shown, was given after the end of large-scale wars. Thus, at the beginning of the twentieth century, after the First World War, the League of Nations was formed, which marked the beginning of the creation of more civilized and multifunctional organizations for ensuring peace and security. At the end of the Second World War, in connection with the virtual cessation of the League of Nations, a new international organization, which united almost all states of the globe for the purpose of maintaining international peace and security - the United Nations (UN).
As for Russia, it has never been and never will be “pure” European country. Its duality was well expressed by the Russian historian V.O. Klyuchevsky, who emphasized that Russia is a transitional country, a mediator between two worlds. Culture inextricably linked it with Europe; but nature placed on her characteristics and influences that always attracted her to Asia or attracted Asia to her. And therefore, Russia, even if it wants to focus on purely internal problems, cannot refuse to participate in the creation of a peaceful order due to its geopolitical position in the center of Eurasia. There is no one there to replace her. Stability in the middle zone of Eurasia guarantees stability throughout the world, and this is in the interests of the entire world community. And therefore, an integral part of the modern international policy of the Russian state is its carefully balanced, consistent actions aimed at preventing possible aggressions, preventing threats of wars and armed conflicts, strengthening security and stability on a regional and global scale.
It should be noted that the most important condition for the defense capability of a state is the willingness of citizens to defend the interests of their state. The main guarantee of this protection is the achieved balance in nuclear forces, the military power of the state, which consists of national and military defense capability and the readiness of citizens to defend the interests of their state, including with arms in hand.
Thus, the need for all members of society, and especially representatives of the younger generation, to understand the importance of mastering military knowledge, methods of armed defense, and their preparedness to carry out tasks of protecting the interests of the state, including service in the Armed Forces, is clearly visible.
The first Soviet peacekeepers.
They appeared a quarter of a century ago.
Today, the participation of Russian military personnel in UN peacekeeping operations is commonplace. Currently, our soldiers and officers as military observers under the auspices of the UN can be found in many hot spots of the planet. But few people know how the participation of Soviet military personnel in UN peacekeeping operations began. In October 1973, by decision of the USSR government, in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution, the first group of our officers was sent to the Middle East. They were to monitor the ceasefire in the Suez Canal zone and the Golan Heights after the military operations ended there. The group was led by Colonel Nikolai Belik. Commander of the first detachment of domestic “blue berets”, President of the Interregional public organization veterans of UN peacekeeping missions of the Russian Federation recall: “The group was formed very quickly. it included officers of the company and battalion levels, a total of twenty-five people. The commander of the Moscow Military District, Army General Vladimir Govorov, said that by decision of the military council I was approved as the commander of a special group of officers who will act as UN military observers in the Middle East.
At the General Staff, Army General Nikolai Ogarkov, then still deputy chief General Staff The Armed Forces of the USSR, gave instructions, noting that the peace that came after the end of the Arab-Israeli war in 1973 was quite fragile and that our group had a special responsibility, since it was the first time that Soviet military personnel were participating in UN peacekeeping operations.
In Cairo the highest officials Egypt paid us close attention. It was explained by another outbreak of tension in Arab-Israeli relations. In their settlement, much depended on Moscow. The urgent arrival of our group in Cairo made it clear that the Kremlin will not allow further escalation of the conflict.
Serious attention was paid to getting to know the new region and the history of the country. on one of the November days, namely on the 25th, a solemn ceremony took place to present us with blue berets and blue scarves - an indispensable attribute of the uniform of UN military personnel. each of us received special certificate, confirming the status of UN military observers. The day of the ceremony can be considered the initial date for the beginning of the participation of Soviet military personnel in UN peacekeeping operations.
Soon, some of the officers left for Syria. The rest had to serve in Egypt. It is worth noting that in accordance with the resolution adopted by the UN Security Council on October 22, 1973, as well as not without the efforts of the Soviet government, military operations in the Middle East were suspended.
I especially remember the first months of 1974. They turned out to be the most difficult for us. We had to participate in a number of serious peacekeeping operations. One of them - “Omega” - was held from February 5 to March 31. During Omega, 173 search operations were carried out for the remains of military personnel killed during the recent October military conflict, each of which lasted several days. Operation “Alpha Line” (determination of the border between the buffer zone and the zone of a limited number of Egyptian troops) was carried out in an equally difficult situation, since for almost a month it was necessary to operate on terrain that was a continuous minefield.
I cannot help but say that my comrades were in no way inferior to the experienced “blue berets” from the peacekeeping battalions of other states. We not only served together, but were also friends, showing true internationalism, which was necessary to maintain peace. Participants in peacekeeping organizations, upon completion of a certain period of service, were awarded “In the Service of Peace” medals on behalf of the UN Secretary General. Together with military observers from a number of other countries, we, Soviet officers, received this award.”
Russia's participation in UN peacekeeping operations and activities to maintain peace and security in zones of armed conflicts in the territories of the former Yugoslavia and CIS member states.
The practical participation of Russia (USSR) in UN peacekeeping operations began in October 1973, when the first group of UN military observers was sent to the Middle East.
Since 1991, Russia's participation in these operations has intensified: in April, after the end of the Gulf War, a group of Russian military observers (RVO) of the UN was sent to the Iraq-Kuwait border area, and in September - to Western Sahara. Since the beginning of 1992, the scope of our military observers has expanded to Yugoslavia, Cambodia and Mozambique, and in January 1994 to Rwanda. In October 1994, a UN RVN group was sent to Georgia, in February 1995 - to Angola, in March 1997 - to Guatemala, in May 1998 - to Sierra Peone, in July 1999 - to East Timor, in November 1999 - to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Currently, ten groups of Russian military observers and UN staff officers totaling up to 70 people participate in peacekeeping operations conducted under the auspices of the UN. Russian military observers can be found in the Middle East (Lebanon), on the Iraq-Kuwait border, in Western Sahara, in the former Yugoslavia, in Georgia, in Sierra Leone, in East Timor, in Democratic Republic Congo.
The main tasks of military observers are to monitor the implementation of armistice agreements, ceasefire between the warring parties, as well as to prevent, through their presence without the right to use force, possible violations of accepted agreements and understandings of the conflicting parties.
The selection of candidates for UN military observers on a voluntary basis is carried out from among officers who have knowledge of foreign languages(in most UN missions this is English), who know the rules for maintaining standard UN documents and have experience driving a car. Features of the UN military observer service, which require him to have qualities that allow him to make compromise decisions in the most unexpected situations and in as soon as possible, determines a special procedure for the selection and training of these officers. The UN requirements for a candidate military observer officer are very high.
The training of UN military observers for participation in UN peacekeeping operations since 1974 has been carried out on the basis of the former 1st Higher Officer Course “Vystrel”, currently it is the Training Center for Retraining and Advanced Training of Officers of the Combined Arms Academy. Initially, the courses were held once a year for 2 months (from 1974 to 1990, 330 people were trained). In connection with the expansion of participation of the USSR and Russia in UN peacekeeping operations (PKO), since 1991, courses began to be held 3 times a year. In total, from 1974 to 1999, over 800 officers were trained at the UN VN courses to participate in UN PKOs.
In addition to training military observers, staff officers and UN military police (organized since 1992), the courses actively participated in the implementation of the provisions of the Treaty on the Limitation of Armed Forces and Conventional Arms in Europe. In 1990-1991, the courses trained more than 250 inspector officers to monitor the reduction of armed forces and conventional weapons in Europe.
The practice of participation of Russian officers in UN missions has shown that in terms of the level of professional training, moral and psychological state, and the ability to make the most appropriate decision in extreme situations, they fully meet the requirements. And the experience accumulated by Russian military observers is actively used in organizing work to prepare for participation in new peacekeeping operations and improving their training methods.
High level training of officers of the Russian Armed Forces for participation in UN peacekeeping operations, the consistency of training programs and rich experience in improving educational process UN military observer courses attract interest from foreign specialists and organizations.
Since 1996, courses have been providing training for foreign military personnel. In 1996-1998, 55 officers from Great Britain (23), Denmark (2), Canada (2), Norway (2), USA (17), Germany (5), Sweden (4) were trained at 1 VOC “Vystrel” .
In October 1999, 5 foreign students attended the courses (Great Britain - 2, Germany, Canada, Sweden - one each).
Training camps for the training of UN military observers are held three times a year for a two-month program. The timing of the training is coordinated with the schedule for replacing specialists taking part in UN peacekeeping operations (PKOs). The annual curriculum also provides for one month of training for UN PKO staff officers.
Scheduled classes in the UN VN training program are conducted with the participation of teachers from the main cycles of the training center, as well as seconded instructor officers who have practical experience in participating in UN peacekeeping operations. The training of foreign military personnel is carried out according to a one-month program together with Russian military personnel, starting from the second month of each training camp.
Teaching of special tactical and military-technical disciplines is conducted in Russian with the help of a translator. Classes on special training, in English, conducted by officer-instructors.
Educational and material base provided training center for conducting training sessions for UN military observers, includes:
Equipped classrooms;
Automotive and other equipment;
Technical training aids;
Polygon;
Hotel for students to stay.
The existing educational and material base allows teaching in English the following categories of specialists to participate in UN PKOs:
UN military observers;
UN Peacekeeping Force (PFO) Headquarters Officers;
Commanders of the logistics and technical services of the UN MS;
Officers military police UN;
UN civilian police officers.
In April 1992, for the first time in the history of Russian peacekeeping activities, on the basis of UN Security Council resolution N743 and after completing the necessary internal procedures (decision of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation), a Russian infantry battalion of 900 people was sent to the former Yugoslavia, which in January 1994 reinforced with personnel, BTR-80 armored personnel carriers, military equipment and other weapons and military equipment.
In accordance with the political decision of the Russian leadership, part of the forces of the Russian contingent of the UN forces in February 1994 was redeployed to the Sarajevo area and, after appropriate reinforcement, was transformed into a second battalion (numbering up to 500 people). The main task of this battalion was to ensure the separation of the parties (Bosnian Serbs and Muslims) and monitor compliance with the ceasefire agreement.
In connection with the transfer of powers from the UN to NATO in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Sarajevo sector battalion stopped performing peacekeeping tasks in January 1996 and was withdrawn to Russian territory.
In accordance with the decision of the UN Security Council to end the UN mission in Eastern Slavonia from January 15, 1998, the Russian infantry battalion (up to 950 people), which carried out the tasks of separating the parties (Serbs and Croats), was withdrawn in January this year. from Croatia to Russian territory.
In June 1995, a Russian peacekeeping unit appeared on the African continent. To solve the problems of aviation support for the UN Verification Mission in Angola (UNAVEM-3), a Russian military contingent consisting of seven Mi-8 helicopters and up to 160 military personnel was sent to Angola. Russian aviators coped with the assigned tasks in the most difficult tropical conditions of Africa.
In March 1999, the Russian aviation group of the UN Observer Mission in Angola (UNOMA) was withdrawn to the Russian Federation in connection with the cessation of the UN mission.
In August 2000, a Russian aviation unit was again sent to the African continent as part of the UN peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone. This is a Russian aviation group consisting of 4 Mi-24 helicopters and up to 115 personnel.
However, Russia bears the main material costs with the participation of a special military contingent of the Russian Armed Forces in activities to maintain international peace and security in zones of armed conflicts on the territory of the former Yugoslavia and the CIS member states.
Former Yugoslavia. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have been participating in the operation of multinational forces since April 1992 in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions No. 743 of February 26, 1992 and June 10, 1999 No. 1244. Currently, the Russian military contingent is taking part in peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and in the autonomous region of Kosovo of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The main tasks of Russian peacekeepers:
Preventing the resumption of hostilities;
Creating security conditions for the return of refugees and displaced persons;
Ensuring public safety;
Supervision of mine clearance;
Support, if necessary, an international civil presence;
Perform border control duties as required;
Ensuring the protection and freedom of movement of its forces, the international civilian presence and the personnel of other international organizations.
Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone from July 23 to August 31, 1992 on the basis of the Moldovan-Russian agreement on the principles of the peaceful settlement of the armed conflict in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova dated July 21. 1992
The main task is to monitor compliance with the terms of the truce and assist in maintaining law and order.
South Ossetia. The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone on July 9, 1992 on the basis of the Georgian-Russian Dagomys Agreement of June 24. 1992 on the settlement of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.
The main task is to ensure control over the ceasefire, the withdrawal of armed formations, the dissolution of self-defense forces and ensuring the security regime in the control zone.
Abkhazia. The military contingent was introduced into the zone of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict on June 23, 1994 on the basis of the Agreement on Ceasefire and Separation of Forces of May 14, 1994.
The main tasks are blocking the conflict area, monitoring the withdrawal of troops and their disarmament, protecting important facilities and communications, escorting humanitarian cargo, and others.
Tajikistan. 201 honey with reinforcement equipment became part of the CIS Collective Peacekeeping Forces in October 1993 on the basis of the Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan on cooperation in the military field dated May 25, 1993. Agreement of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States on Collective Peacekeeping Forces and joint measures for their financial -technical support.
The main tasks are assistance in normalizing the situation on the Tajik-Afghan border, protecting vital facilities and others.
On the status of military personnel taking part in UN peacekeeping operations.
The legal status of military personnel taking part in UN peacekeeping operations is complex. It is governed by a set of legal principles and norms belonging to different legal systems and having different legal nature.
The legal status of military personnel reflects its specificity, first of all, as an integral part of a functional interstate mechanism - an international organization. Home legal basis regulation of the activities of international organizations and their employees is the international legal basis, the form is international legal principles and norms. In this regard, the status of the personnel is primarily international in nature and limited to functional boundaries.
A peculiarity of the legal status of military personnel taking part in UN peacekeeping operations is that they do not enter service with the United Nations, they do not become UN personnel as such. The military personnel are temporarily assigned to the UN peacekeeping mission.
After the secondment of citizens of one state to serve in a body of an international organization located on the territory of another state, legal relations remain and arise between the employees and these states. Military personnel remain and become participants in legal relations that are regulated by the norms of the relevant national legal systems.
In addition, an international organization, the activities of which are subordinated to the will of the member states, is endowed by the member states with a certain independence in order to achieve its goals. The independence of the organization is embodied in functional legal personality and materialized through functional competence, in particular, to create rules of law, including those regulating the activities of personnel. These norms have unconditional legal binding, however, they are not international legal, they have a special legal nature and sources.
From the above it follows that all norms and principles governing the legal status of personnel can be divided according to the nature of their sources and belong to:
1) to the norms of international law contained in the charters of the UN and its specialized institutions, in special agreements, in acts of organizations and other international legal acts;
2) to norms that have intrastate origins, contained in acts of certain internal state bodies of the host country, transit, business trip, and so on.
3) to the norms of the so-called internal UN law, created and applied within the organization;
4) to norms that have domestic sources, contained in acts of certain domestic bodies.
The heterogeneous nature of the legal regulation of the status of military personnel taking part in UN peacekeeping operations reflects the specificity of the legal status of such military personnel as a special category of participants in international legal relations. This specificity led to the determination of the sources of norms on the legal status of personnel and thereby the features of its regulation in various legal fields.
Currently, the active participation of Russian citizens in the peacekeeping efforts of the world community requires the development of a “Status of participant in peacekeeping operations” that meets international legal standards, which would define legal rights and obligations and provide social guarantees for all participants in this process.
UN peacekeeping operations.
Regional wars and armed conflicts in a number of regions are increasingly threatening peace and stability and are becoming protracted and difficult to resolve. The United Nations assumed responsibility for their prevention, containment and cessation.
What are United Nations peacekeeping operations? 1998 marked the fiftieth anniversary of United Nations peacekeeping operations. The United Nations has pioneered peacekeeping operations as a means of maintaining international peace and security. In general, United Nations peacekeepers, often called "blue helmets", are military personnel provided on a voluntary basis by their governments to carry out the tasks of restoring and maintaining peace using military discipline and training. In recognition of their services, United Nations peacekeepers were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988.
Governments are increasingly turning to the United Nations for help in resolving interethnic and interethnic conflicts that have flared up in many parts of the world since the end of the Cold War. While 13 operations were established in the first forty years of United Nations peacekeeping, 35 new operations have been launched since 1988. At its peak in 1993, the total number of United Nations military and civilian personnel deployed in the field from 77 countries reached more than 80,000. Complex missions that involved working simultaneously in the political, military and humanitarian fields drew on the experience gained in “traditional” United Nations peacekeeping operations, which tend to focus primarily on military objectives. such as monitoring ceasefires, disengaging opposing forces and creating buffer zones.
The military personnel serving as United Nations peacekeepers were joined by civilian police officers, election observers, human rights monitors and other civilian professionals. The range of their tasks is wide - from providing security during the delivery of humanitarian aid and its delivery itself, to assisting former opponents in the implementation of complex peace agreements. United Nations peacekeepers are called upon to undertake tasks such as assisting in the disarmament and demobilization of former combatants, assisting in the training and monitoring of civilian police, and assisting in the organization and monitoring of elections. Working with United Nations agencies and other humanitarian organizations, peacekeepers helped refugees return to their homes, monitored human rights, cleared landmines and began reconstruction efforts.
Typically, peacekeeping operations are established by the Security Council, the United Nations body with primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. The council determines the scope of the operation, its overall objectives and time frame. Because the United Nations does not have its own military or civilian police, Member States decide whether to participate in a mission and, if they do, what personnel and equipment they are willing to contribute.
The success of peacekeeping operations depends on the clarity and feasibility of their mandate, the effectiveness of command at Headquarters and in the field, the continued political and financial support of Member States and, perhaps most importantly, the cooperation of the parties to the conflict.
The mission is established with the consent of the government of the country in which it is deployed and, generally, the other parties involved, and cannot in any way be used to support one party to the detriment of another. The most effective “weapon” of peacekeepers is their impartiality and legitimacy due to the fact that they represent the international community as a whole.
Troops serving in United Nations peacekeeping operations carry light weapons and are authorized to use a minimum amount of force in self-defense or when armed individuals attempt to prevent them from carrying out their assigned duties. Civilian police are usually unarmed. The specificity of the military observer service is that they carry out their mission virtually without weapons, relying only on knowledge and experience, and often only on intuition, when making decisions.
United Nations peacekeepers cannot impose peace when there is no peace. However, when parties to a conflict seek a peaceful resolution to their differences, a United Nations peacekeeping operation can stimulate peace and provide breathing space to create a more stable and secure environment in which a lasting political settlement can be found and pursued.
United Nations peacekeeping operations must be distinguished from other forms of multinational military intervention, including “coercive” measures. In a number of cases, the Security Council has authorized member states to use “all necessary means,” including the use of force, to respond to armed conflict or threats to the peace. Acting on the basis of this authorization, member states formed military coalitions - in the Korean conflict in 1950 and in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in the 1990s. Multinational operations were deployed in addition to United Nations operations in Somalia, Rwanda, Haiti and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 1997, the Council authorized the action of a "coalition of the willing" in connection with the situation in Albania. It also authorized the deployment of a multinational peacekeeping force in the Central African Republic, which was replaced in March 1998 by the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA). .
What is the size of United Nations peacekeeping operations? Since 1948, the United Nations has conducted 48 peacekeeping operations. Thirty-five peacekeeping operations were established by the Security Council between 1988 and 1998. There are currently 16 operations involving approximately 14,000 peacekeepers. More than 750,000 military and civilian police personnel and thousands of other civilian personnel served in United Nations peacekeeping operations; More than 1,500 people died while serving on these missions.
The most significant of the special missions and peacekeeping operations are: special mission in Afghanistan, verification mission in Angola, good offices mission in Burundi, UN military liaison team in Cambodia, monitoring mission in El Salvador, special envoy and military observer team in Georgia, Iraq -Kuwait mission, special envoy to Tajikistan and a number of others.
Who provides leadership? Peacekeeping missions are established and their tasks are determined by the fifteen member states of the Security Council, and not by the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Charter of the United Nations specifically states that the Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. Each of the five permanent members of the Security Council - China, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, the United States and France - can veto any decision relating to peacekeeping operations.
Military and civilian police personnel in peacekeeping operations remain part of their national forces but serve under the operational control of the United Nations and are required to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the international nature of their missions. Mission members wear the uniform of their countries and are identified as United Nations peacekeepers by blue berets or helmets and United Nations insignia. Civilian personnel are seconded from the United Nations Secretariat, United Nations agencies or governments, or are employed on a contract basis.
How much does it cost? The estimated cost of United Nations peacekeeping operations for the period July 1997 to June 1998 is approximately $1 billion. This figure was down from $3 billion in 1995, which reflected costs associated with United Nations peacekeeping operations in the former Yugoslavia. All Member States contribute to the costs of peacekeeping operations according to a formula they have developed and agreed upon. However, as of February 1998, Member States owed the United Nations approximately $1.6 billion in current and past peacekeeping contributions.
How much compensation do peacekeepers receive? Peacekeeping troops are paid by their governments in accordance with their rank and salary scale in their national armed forces. Countries that volunteer personnel for peacekeeping operations are reimbursed by the United Nations at a flat rate of approximately $1,000 per military personnel per month. The United Nations also reimburses countries for equipment provided. At the same time, reimbursement to these countries is often delayed due to cash shortages caused by Member States not paying their contributions.
Who provides personnel and equipment? The responsibility for maintaining international peace and security lies with all Member States. Since 1948, more than 110 countries have contributed personnel at various times. As of early 1998, 71 Member States provide military and civilian police personnel for ongoing missions. Almost all countries provide civilian personnel.
Why do United Nations peacekeeping operations continue to be important? Armed conflicts continue to arise for a variety of reasons:
· Inadequate political structures in countries fall apart or are unable to ensure an orderly transfer of power;
· a disillusioned population stands, often on the basis of ethical affiliation, on the side of ever smaller groups that do not always respect national boundaries;
· The struggle for control over scarce resources intensifies as the population becomes embittered and disillusioned and finds itself in the grip of poverty.
These factors create fertile ground for violence within or between states. Violence is fueled by the huge amount of weapons of almost every type that are readily available throughout the world. The result is human suffering, often on a massive scale, threats to international peace and security in a broader sense, and the collapse of the economic and social life of the population of entire countries.
Many of today's conflicts may seem distant to those not directly in the line of fire. However, the world's nations must weigh the risks of action against the obvious dangers of inaction. The failure of the international community to take measures to curb conflicts and resolve them peacefully could lead to the expansion of conflicts and the number of participants in them. Recent events have shown how quickly civil wars between parties in one country can destabilize neighboring countries and spread to entire regions. Few contemporary conflicts can be considered truly “local”. They often give rise to a range of problems - such as arms trafficking, terrorism, drug trafficking, refugee flows and environmental damage - whose consequences are felt far beyond the immediate conflict zone. To solve these and other global problems, international cooperation is necessary. United Nations peacekeeping operations, based on half a century of experience in this field, are an indispensable method of influence. Legitimacy and universality are their unique features, due to the very nature of their activities carried out on behalf of world organization, which has 185 member states. United Nations peacekeeping operations can open doors to peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts to achieve lasting peace that might otherwise remain closed.
For countries in which United Nations peace operations are deployed, their legitimacy and universality:
¨ limits the consequences for national sovereignty that may be associated with other forms of foreign intervention;
¨ can stimulate discussions between parties to a conflict that might otherwise not be possible;
¨ can draw attention to conflicts and their consequences that might otherwise go unnoticed.
For the international community more broadly, United Nations peacekeeping operations:
¨ can become a starting point for mobilizing international efforts to demonstrate to the parties that the international community stands united for peace, and can limit the spread of alliances and alliances opposing them that can exacerbate conflicts;
¨ enable many countries to share the burden of implementing conflict management and resolution measures, resulting in improved humanitarian, financial and political efficiencies.
Conclusion.
Summarizing the above, we can conclude that in modern conditions the greatest threat to international peace and security is both regional level, and on a global scale, represent armed conflicts that must be resolved primarily by political means and only, as a last resort, by conducting peacekeeping operations. However, it should be noted that not a single peacekeeping action will bring the desired result if there is no political will and desire of the warring parties to resolve the contradictions themselves.
As for the prospects for Russia’s participation in peacekeeping activities, they are eloquently evidenced by the fact that if in the first 40 years of its existence the UN carried out 13 peacekeeping operations, then since 1988, 28 new operations have been initiated.
Of particular note is the organization of peacekeeping activities with CIS member countries. The Commonwealth, as a regional organization that has assumed the functions of ensuring international peace and security, is opening up new horizons for the development of peacekeeping.
For newly formed states that emerged from the former USSR, peacekeeping becomes one of the main forms of conflict resolution policy in the post-Soviet space. Unresolved national, territorial and other problems, mutual claims, disintegrated processes led to the development of well-known events in the Dnieper region, Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Tajikistan, North Ossetia.
In these difficult conditions, it is precisely the appeal to the experience of the UN and other international and regional organizations(such as the OSCE) to resolve interstate and other disputes and conflicts can serve as the basis for the formation in the CIS countries (with active participation Russia) own concept of peacekeeping activities.
Will the world learn lessons from its centuries-old past or will it confirm Hegel’s famous aphorism: “Peoples and governments have never learned anything from history or acted in accordance with the teachings that could be learned from it”... At least we need to help them with this.
References:
1. Fundamentals of life safety: Moscow textbook Part II 10-11 / Ed. V.Ya. Syunkova. - M., 1998;
4. Headquarters for the coordination of military cooperation between member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States - Collection of documents and theoretical materials on peacekeeping activities in the Commonwealth of Independent States. - M., 1995;
5. Vartanov V.N. and others. Main Directorate of International Military Cooperation of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (1951-2001). - M., 2001;
6. Ivashov L.G. The evolution of geopolitical development of Russia: Historical experience and lessons. - M., 1999;
Despite the tough position of the UN, primarily James Baker, supported by Kofi Annan, regarding the need to tighten measures to resolve the dispute over Western Sahara, the UN Mission for the Referendum in this territory, represented by its head and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, continued quite intensive contacts with conflicting parties, resolving urgent...
Threats of international terrorism 3.1 UN peacekeeping operations at the present stage In the early years of the 21st century, UN peacekeeping activities expanded to unprecedented proportions, which improved the prospects for ending conflicts and gave rise to new hopes for achieving peace in countries affected by wars. By the end of 2006, the number...
Lesson 26
INTERNATIONAL (PEACEKEEPING) ACTIVITIES OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Subject: life safety.
Module 3. Ensuring the military security of the state.
Section 6. Fundamentals of state defense.
Chapter 5. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are the basis of state defense.
Lesson #26. International (peacekeeping) activities Armed Forces Russian Federation.
Date: "____" _____________ 20___
The lesson was taught by: teacher-organizer of life safety Khamatgaleev E. R.
Target: get acquainted with the main aspects of the international (peacekeeping) activities of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
Progress of lessons
Class organization.
Greetings. Checking the class roster.
State the topic and purpose of the lesson.
Updating knowledge.
What are the main tasks performed by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in peacetime?
What are the main tasks that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation solve during the period of immediate threat of aggression and in wartime?
What is the new system for recruiting soldiers and sergeants?
Why, in your opinion, is the fight against terrorism included in the list of main tasks of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation?
Checking homework.
Listening to several students' answers to homework (as chosen by the teacher).
Working on new material.
The main tasks of the Russian Federation in containing and preventing military conflicts include participation in international peacekeeping activities, including under the auspices of the UN and within the framework of interaction with international (regional) organizations.
Protecting the national interests of the state presupposes that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation must ensure reliable defense of the country. At the same time, the Armed Forces must ensure that the Russian Federation carries out peacekeeping activities both independently and in cooperation with international organizations.
The Military Doctrine of the Russian Federation (2010) states that the tasks of military-political cooperation of the Russian Federation include the development of relations with international organizations to prevent conflict situations, preserve and strengthen peace in various regions, including with the participation of Russian military contingents in peacekeeping operations.
To carry out peacekeeping operations under a UN mandate or under a CIS mandate, the Russian Federation provides military contingents in the manner established by federal legislation and international treaties of the Russian Federation.
Thus, at present, the Armed Forces are considered by the country's leadership as a deterrent, as a last resort used in cases where the use of peaceful means has not led to the elimination of a military threat to the interests of the country. Fulfilling Russia's international obligations to participate in peacekeeping operations is considered a new task for the Armed Forces to maintain peace.
In recent years, military personnel from the peacekeeping units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have carried out tasks to maintain peace and security in four regions: Sierra Leone, the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. For example, on the territory of Abkhazia, Russian peacekeepers cleared the territory, restored life support facilities for the population, checked the technical condition of the railway, and also repaired roads. Russian peacekeeping doctors provided significant assistance to representatives of the local population on numerous occasions.
Currently, the military formation of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is taking part in the UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan.
In order to prepare military personnel of the Russian army to participate in operations to maintain international peace and security, the 15th separate motorized rifle brigade was formed. Its fighters can be part of peacekeeping contingents by decision of the President of the Russian Federation and in the interests of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the UN, the OSCE, the Russia-NATO Council and, if necessary, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Recruitment of administrative bodies, military units and units of special military contingents is carried out on a voluntary basis based on the preliminary (competitive) selection of military personnel undergoing military service under a contract. The training and equipment of peacekeeping forces is carried out at the expense of federal budget funds allocated for defense.
While serving as part of a special military contingent, military personnel enjoy the status, privileges and immunities that are granted to UN personnel during peacekeeping operations in accordance with the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, adopted by the UN General Assembly on February 13, 1996, the Convention on UN Security of December 9, 1994, Protocol on the status of Military Observer Groups and Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the CIS of May 15, 1992.
The CIS member states concluded an Agreement on the preparation and training of military and civilian personnel to participate in collective peacekeeping operations, determined the procedure for training and education, and approved training programs for all categories of military and civilian personnel assigned to collective peacekeeping forces.
The international activities of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation include joint exercises, friendly visits and other events aimed at strengthening common peace and mutual understanding.
In accordance with the agreement between the governments of the Russian Federation and the Kingdom of Norway “On cooperation in searching for missing people and rescuing people in distress in the Barents Sea,” the joint Russian-Norwegian exercise “Barents 2008” was held in September 2008. On the Russian side, a rescue tug vessel of the Northern Fleet and an Air Force aircraft of the Northern Fleet took part in the exercise.
Conclusions.
Through its participation in peacekeeping operations, the Russian Federation contributes to the prevention of crisis situations at the stage of their inception.
A special military contingent of peacekeepers has been formed in the Russian Federation.
The international activities of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation include activities aimed at strengthening common peace and mutual understanding.
Questions.
What is the significance and role of the international activities of the Russian Armed Forces?
What is the legal basis for peacekeeping activities of the Russian Armed Forces?
Assignments.
Prepare a message on the topic “Status of military personnel in the Russian peacekeeping forces.”
Using the “Additional materials” section, the media and Internet materials, prepare messages on one of the topics: “Actions of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Kosovo (in the territory of the former Yugoslavia)”, “Actions of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the territory of South Ossetia in August 2008. "
Additional materials to §26.
Use of Russian peacekeepers
The military contingent was introduced into the conflict zone in South Ossetia on July 9, 1992 on the basis of the Dagomys Agreement between the Russian Federation and Georgia to resolve the Georgian-Ossetian conflict. The total number of this contingent was more than 500 people.
In August 2008, Russian peacekeepers took part in repelling the illegal invasion of the territory of South Ossetia by the Georgian armed forces.
The invasion of South Ossetian territory began on the morning of August 9. Targeted air strikes were carried out at the locations where our peacekeepers were deployed. Georgian tanks and motorized infantry burst into the streets of the administrative center of South Ossetia - the city of Tskhinvali. The forces of Russian peacekeepers and South Ossetian units repelled several attacks by the aggressor.
On the same day, a decision was made to provide assistance to peacekeepers and Russian citizens living in South Ossetia, who were subject to virtual destruction. The forces and means of Russian peacekeepers have been strengthened. A peacekeeping group of Russian troops carried out an operation to suppress Georgia's aggression against South Ossetia. The task set - to ensure peace in this region - was successfully completed.
Since October 1993, the 201st Motorized Rifle Division of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation has been part of the Collective Peacekeeping Forces in the Republic of Tajikistan in accordance with the Treaty between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan. The total number of this contingent was more than 6 thousand people.
Since June 11, 1999, Russian peacekeepers have been stationed on the territory of the autonomous region of Kosovo (Yugoslavia), where in the late 90s. A serious armed confrontation arose between the Serbs and Albanians. The number of Russian contingents was 3,600 people. Russian peacekeepers were in Kosovo until August 1, 2003. The separate sector occupied by the Russians in Kosovo gave the Russian Federation equal rights in resolving this international conflict with the five leading NATO countries (USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy).
In the African republic of Sierra Leone in 2000-2005. There was a Russian peacekeeping contingent for aviation support of the UN mission. The contingent's tasks included air escort and cover for columns of UN troops and humanitarian convoys. The number of contingents was 115 people.
The Russian Federation bears a special responsibility for maintaining security in the CIS space. Thus, in Transnistria, in order to peacefully resolve the armed conflict and on the basis of the relevant agreement, joint peacekeeping forces of Russia and Moldova are still present.
End of lesson.
Homework. Prepare for retelling §26 “International (peacekeeping) activities of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation” (pp. 128-131); complete tasks 1 and 2 (section “Tasks”, p. 130).
Giving and commenting on ratings.
Related articles
The best amulets against the evil eye and damage Amulet against the evil eye with hands for children
How to read the Psalter correctly
Delicious dishes with sausages
A glimpse of Bella. Romantic chronicle. A glimpse of genius. Messerer about Akhmadulina Boris Messerer glimpse of Bella romantic chronicle
I dreamed that I was sailing on a boat on the river
How to cook beef entrecote in a frying pan
About the company Foreign language courses at Moscow State University
Which city and why became the main one in Ancient Mesopotamia?
Why Bukhsoft Online is better than a regular accounting program!
Which year is a leap year and how to calculate it