WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United Nations needs a rapid response force and significant amount of new equipment to deal with breakdowns of law and order as well as emergencies around the world, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs, General Martin Dempsey, said in prepared remarks in New York City.
“Improving global peacekeeping efforts will require active participation and solid commitments from member nations,” Dempsey told a meeting on United Nations peacekeeping at the 69th Street Armory in New York City on Tuesday, according to a press release from the US Mission to the United Nations.
United Nations peacekeeping forces had three core needs that needed to be satisfied before such measures could be successfully undertaken on a global scale, Dempsey told the meeting.
“First, the United Nations needs to generate contributions to mitigate equipment shortfalls, significant equipment shortfalls,” Dempsey pointed out. “Enduring gaps in equipment platforms continue to undermine our efforts in ongoing missions around the world.”
“Second, the United Nations requires commitments from member nations to provide rapid response forces for emerging crises,” Dempsey said. “The rapid deployment of units within 30, 60, or 90 days — for a finite period — can help resolve developing crises, prevent expanded conflict and in the process save more innocent lives.”
Third, the United Nations needed to recruit more highly-skilled personnel, both police and military, to staff future missions, the general argued.
“[We] need the capability not just to begin a peacekeeping mission, but to sustain it over time,” Dempsey added.
“Peacekeeping operations are under greater strain than ever before. Because of this reality, we’re at a critical juncture for this body,” Dempsey said.
Current UN peacekeepers, Dempsey added, were being asked to shoulder more responsibility in combat zones than at any time in the world organization’s history.
“[A] disproportionate responsibility is being borne by some few to ensure the stability and security of so many. This imbalance is unsustainable,” Dempsey said.
More than 124 countries contribute a total of 100,000 uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping operations and related activities around the world, according to the world body.
Dempsey is due to retire as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs this year after four years in the post. His successor will be US Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford.
