Clinton Administration Sets Rigorous Standards for International Peacekeeping Operations

The Clinton administration has signed a new directive to limit US participation in international peacekeeping operations, setting rigorous standards for US support. This move comes after recent unsuccessful efforts in Somalia and Rwanda, where Congress has shown reluctance to fund such international operations. The new policy, established through the Presidential Decision Directive, aims to use peacekeeping selectively and more effectively, making distinctions between where and how the US can intervene.

Key Takeaways:

• The new policy sets standards for US participation in UN peacekeeping operations, limiting support to only "properly conceived and well-executed peace operations" that can serve US interests.
• The US will exercise its veto power in the UN Security Council to prevent new peacekeeping operations unless there is a real threat to international peace and security.
• The administration wants to ensure that the use of peacekeeping operations is selective and more effective, with specific steps to improve US and UN management of these operations.
• The US will demand significant reforms from the UN, including asking questions before new peacekeeping obligations are undertaken.
• Key questions to be asked include whether UN involvement will advance US interests, and whether there is a real threat to international peace and security.
• The administration is critical of the UN's ability to respond effectively to high-risk, low-cooperation situations, citing its stretched resources and limitations.
• Notable areas where new UN peace operations have not been proposed include Burundi, Sudan, Nagorno-Karabakh, Tadzhikistan, Afghanistan, and Sierra Leone.

Statistics:

• The Clinton administration has signed a new directive setting rigorous standards for US participation in international peacekeeping operations.
• The administration aims to use peacekeeping selectively and more effectively, making distinctions between where and how the US can intervene.
• The US will exercise its veto power in the UN Security Council 100% of the time unless there is a real threat to international peace and security.
• The UN has received increasing peacekeeping requests in recent years, stretching its resources perilously thin.
• No new UN peace operations have been proposed for the following areas: Burundi, Sudan, Nagorno-Karabakh, Tadzhikistan, Afghanistan, and Sierra Leone.

Sources:

• "Clinton Signs Directive Limiting U.S. Role in U.N. Operations" by The New York Times, May 5
• "U.S. Policy on Reforming Multilateral Peace Operations" by the White House Press Secretary, May 3
• Congressional testimony by Madeleine Albright before the House appropriations subcommittee, May 3