30 May 2007

GPPi comments on United Nations peacekeeping for Deutsche Welle

Thorsten Benner, GPPi Associate Director, commented on the peacekeeping roles of United Nations member states for an article published by Deutsche Welle on 29 May 2007.

The article, entitled "UN-Friedenssicherung: Geld oder Leben" ("UN Peacekeeping: Money or Life"), addresses the question of whether it is morally just that "poor" states provide the majority of peacekeeping troops, and thus risk potential fatalities, while "rich" states supply the money while avoiding direct troop engagement. The article points out that while the US, Europe and Japan contribute 75 percent of the UN's budget, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India supply 35 percent of the peacekeeping troops.

While the US, Europe and Japan have varying political and historical reasons for their relative lack of a troop commitment with regards to UN peacekeeping operations, Benner comments that there are three specific reasons why developing countries accept this role: "First, the countries are remunerated if they send troops, which makes for good business; second, they believe in the UN's peace mission; and third, their armies are often better prepared for deployment in developing countries."

For more information on GPPi's "Learning to Build Peace?" research project, please click here or contact Thorsten Benner.

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