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Dr. Nachmias is a faculty member of the Department of Political Science at the University of Haifa in Israel and recently taught at Towson State University in Maryland
The recent controversy over UN peacekeeping operations usually focuses on the objectives (mission objectives are not specific enough, and the UN should not intervene in crises that are domestic in principle), the environment (acceptance of peacekeeping forces by the host countries is crucial), resources (the international community does not provide adequate political and logistical support), leadership (the UN headquarters in New York lacks the organizational and bureaucratic infrastructure to oversee and control is peacekeeping missions), and training (training for peacekeeping operations is insignificant). It is not the purpose of this article to answer these questions, rather to examine them in light of the most experienced and professional peacekeeping operation, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization for Palestine (UNTSO). Although peacekeeping should be a "temporary support agency", UNTSO has been in operation for almost half a century. In 1995 it included a force of 220 officers from 19 different countries.
Historical Perspective
UNTSO was one of the UN's first peacekeeping operations, created in 1948, and is the only non-temporary agency financed by the UN regular budget. It was, however, never formally created as a peacekeeping force, as Security Council resolution 50 (1948) that became the charter of UNTSO never mentioned the mission by name. It is a highly specialized force, unique in its duties, organizational structure, function and longevity Its mandate and modus operandi served as the model for the UN peacekeeping regime. UNTSO's humble beginning to the creation of a vast peacekeeping establishment. Today, troops are being sent to places where they are perhaps not welcomed and their mission may require some form of military action.
The first 90 UNTSO observers were sent to Palestine in 1948 to accompany Count Bemadotte, the appointed mediator for Palestine. Soon UNTSO grew to a force of 100 multinational military observers. To distinguish the observers I from the warring parties, they received distinctive armbands and later, one blue beret and two blue scarves. In 1949, the United Nations was not afflicted by...