UN Peacekeeping Force in Croatia Faces Shortfall Ahead of Cease-Fire

Strategic Insights -

The United Nations peacekeeping force in Croatia is struggling to meet its deployment goals ahead of a critical cease-fire agreement between the government army and rebel Serbs. According to U.N. officials, the force is short of 2,000 troops to effectively monitor the cease-fire, despite already having 15,000 multi-national peacekeepers on the ground. The reinforcements requested by the U.N. include significant additions of mechanical, engineering, and air support units.

As the cease-fire is set to go into effect on April 4, U.N. officials are racing against time to deploy the necessary troops. Maj. Gen. John Macinnes, the deputy commander of the U.N. Protection Force (UNPROFOR), stated that troops from less sensitive areas would be redeployed to more critical sectors, including the southern Adriatic hinterland, where Croatian government troops have committed violent incursions.

The U.N. Secretary-General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, emphasized the importance of a robust peacekeeping force in ensuring the success of the cease-fire. With a greater U.N. presence, the agreement is more likely to hold. Diplomats believe that this cease-fire is a crucial step towards eventual economic and political stability in Croatia.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.N. peacekeeping force in Croatia is 2,000 troops short of its deployment goal ahead of the cease-fire agreement.
  • The reinforcements requested by the U.N. include eight mechanical companies, five engineering companies, and one helicopter squadron with six aircraft and 200 men.
  • Maj. Gen. John Macinnes stated that troops will be redeployed from less sensitive areas to more critical sectors, including the southern Adriatic hinterland.
  • The U.N. Secretary-General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, emphasized the importance of a robust peacekeeping force in supporting the cease-fire agreement.
  • Diplomats consider the cease-fire agreement a crucial step towards economic and political stability in Croatia.

Statistics:

  • 2,000: The number of troops the U.N. peacekeeping force is short of its deployment goal.
  • 15,000: The current number of U.N. peacekeepers on the ground in Croatia.
  • 8: The number of mechanical companies requested as reinforcements.
  • 5: The number of engineering companies requested as reinforcements.
  • 6: The number of aircraft in the one helicopter squadron requested as reinforcements.
  • 200: The number of men in the one helicopter squadron requested as reinforcements.
  • April 4: The date when the cease-fire is set to go into effect.
  • 1,000: The distance of the confrontation line along which the cease-fire will be enforced.
  • 12: The width of the proposed demilitarized corridor in miles (20 km).

Sources:

  • U.N. spokesman in Zagreb, Matthew Nerzig
  • U.N. Secretary-General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali
  • Maj. Gen. John Macinnes, deputy commander of the U.N. Protection Force (UNPROFOR)