APPRECIATION

:: In peace keeping ::

The peacekeeping role dates back to 1960 when Pakistani soldiers became part of UN's efforts in the Congo. Later, with the expanded and renewed UN role, Pakistan became a forerunner in the worldwide peace efforts

Marya Mufti

With the new world power equilibrium a more complex security environment has emerged. Growing national power politics and state implosions necessitates involvement of the United Nations peace-keeping forces for conflict resolution. Since the Gulf War, the need for peace-keeping forces has increased manifold. Around 80,000 Blue Berets, as they are called under the UN flag, are at present playing their peace-keeping role in a number of countries, amongst them Pakistan is recognized as the biggest contributor – right now 9,885 regular troops from Pakistan Army, a 15% contribution as compared to all other countries are engaged in about 16 countries of the world. This on one hand reflects Islamabad’s commitment to peace and brotherhood of mankind across the globe, and its desire to uphold the principles of human dignity, freedom and self-determination applied to all the peoples struggling to secure their inalienable basic rights without discrimination and prejudice.

The peacekeeping role dates back to 1960 when Pakistani soldiers became part of UN’s efforts in the Congo. Later, with the expanded and renewed UN role, Pakistan became a forerunner in the worldwide peace efforts. The Pakistan Army has so far served in Congo (1960-64), West Irian (1962-63), Yemen (1963-64), Namibia (1989-90), Iraq-Kuwait (1991-2003), Western Sahara (1991-to date), Haiti (1993-1996), Cambodia (1992-93), Somalia (1992-95), Bosnia (1992-95), Liberia (1993-97), Georgia (1993-to date), Rwanda (1993-1996), Angola (1995-97), Eastern Slovenia (1996-97).

In the Congo, the UN forces comprising contingents from 29 countries were sent in 1960 to restore the legitimate government overthrown through a coup d’etat. Pakistan provided logistic support during the movement of troops to and from Congo and inland movement to the UN troops. The Army Supply Corps (ASC) won laurels for organizing the operation in a meticulous manner. In West Irian Pakistan was honored to have been asked to undertake the exclusive responsibility of establishing the UN’s Temporary Executive Authority during the handing over of its control from Holland to Indonesia in 1962.

This being a challenging task, not only envisaged stalling an impending war between Holland and Indonesia, but also sought projection of the United Nation as a peace broker. The 14th Punjab Regiment, two companies of 18th Punjab and supporting elements reached the Sorong coast after navigating a 6,000-mile sea voyage and took over controls at Merauke, Fak Fak, Sorong and Kaimana, with its battalion headquarters in Biak. The troops effectively prevented skirmishes between Papuans and Indonesian troops and avoided a bloody conflict in Kaimana area on January 14th, 1963, bringing the volatile situation under control. In another incident, only a company of our troops tackled 350 PVK mutineers positioned in Monokwari and tactfully restored law and order without spilling a drop of blood.

Not only the smooth withdrawal of Dutch troops and taking over of Indonesian troops established Pakistan’s peace-keeping role, it also helped kick start close brotherly relations with Indonesia. President Soekarno rightly said, ‘It was because of Pakistani troops that Indonesia and Pakistan came so close together, they were Pakistan’s best ambassadors.’ In a rare acknowledgement of good job done, Chinese Premier Chou-En-Lai remarked, “The only example in United Nation’s history, when a UN military force had gone in, performed its role honestly and came out, was Pakistan’s military contingent to Indonesia”.

In the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf war Kuwait found itself confronted with colossal post-war problems. They included the reclamation of the entire land of Kuwait which had been turned into a battlefield by Iraq and the Allied Forces. Almost the whole territory was infested with lethal mines, huge stockpiles of ammunition and explosives and vast dugouts, which made the normal use of land impossible. The job was entrusted to Pakistan and six other countries, separately and Pakistan was assigned the most difficult area in the north of Kuwait city. It was spread over 3,000 square kilometers. Subsequently reclamation of Bubiyan Island as also entrusted to Pakistan. The operation was carried out by a task force of Pak Army Engineers belonging to Frontier Works Organization. The professionalism and dedication displayed by this force elicited praise at an international level. Not only did experts from different countries who visited Kuwait during the reclamation process appreciate the quality of work of the dedicated Pakistanis but professionals of other countries carrying out similar task in adjoining sectors also expressed admiration for the high standards of thoroughness and safety that they maintained. Despite inclement weather and submergence of Bubiyan Island in water, they completed the job in record time to the satisfaction of the Kuwait government.

In Cambodia a dismal picture of violence, destruction and starvation, aggravated by foreign occupation, needed UN’s help. The United Nations Transitional Authority was established there with a mandate to promote an environment of peace and respect for human rights in which free and fair elections could be held. Pakistan dispatched 2nd Battalion of the Azad Kashmir Regiment, as part of a force of 15,900 personnel from 32 countries. They were tasked to ensure the withdrawal of all foreign forces, supervision of ceasefire, disarmament and demobilisation of Cambodia’s warring factions. The Pakistani troops carried out peacekeeping operations in the most difficult and remote regions during the period May 92 and August 93. They overcame enormous logistic and operational problems. Undaunted by the odds, they handled crisis after crisis and persuaded the warring factions to lay down their arms. The Pakistani battalion provided armed escorts and created the security environment essential for the conduct of elections. The massive turnout of people was a reflection of the confidence they had in UNTAC and a tribute to the meticulous planning and hard work put in by the Pakistanis. Acting as catalysts of peace, they earned the admiration of other UNTAC units and the goodwill of the Cambodian people. In the words of the Force Commander UNTAC, Lt Gen. J. M. Sanderson, “the Pakistani contingent showed professionalism, patience, determination and compassion, which indeed are the hallmark of an effective peace-keeping force.”

In 1992 Somali Democratic Republic, ravaged by a tragic civil war, lay in ruins. With armed bandits left free to loot, kill and create terror in the absence of any governmental authority, bullet-riddled walls and bombed roofs of buildings testifying to the horrors of civil war, communication infrastructure destroyed, civic amenities missing. Three hundred thousand people had died of starvation since November 1991. There were 4.5 million malnutrition cases out of which one million were on the verge of death. Moved by the agony and suffering of innocent Somalians, the United Nations went into action. Pakistan was the first to respond to the call. On 14th September, 1992, 500 Pak troops arrived in Mogadishu to launch the UN humanitarian campaign.

Attacks by armed gangs on incoming and docked ships as well as air strips were common. They used to loot food supplies arriving under international humanitarian aid before they could reach delivery and distribution points. The Pakistani security personnel (the 7th Frontier Force Regiment) were assigned the task of securing the sea and airports, escorting food convoys and ensuring smooth distribution of relief supplies. They were also instructed to recover unauthorized arms to ensure the safety of peace-keeping and humanitarian efforts. Provision of medical aid, rehabilitation of people and reconstruction of infrastructure in the war-ravaged areas were also part of the plan. Our troops secured the Mogadishu airport to make it safe for relief flights. They also cleared the nearby port of armed bandits who could pose a threat to the anchoring and off-loading of ships carrying grain and other edibles for the famine struck people. Escorting of relief convoys and effective and tactful handling of the security situation soon won the Pakistanis the trust and respect of the local population. Their selfless services provided the Somalians both relief and hope after a dark period of terror and hunger. The goodwill that their humane behaviors generated was reflected in the ‘Pakistani-Somali walal walal’ (Pakistanis and Somalis are brothers) street slogans.

In order to enlarge the scope and scale of peace-keeping and humanitarian work over 37,000 troops, drawn from more than two dozen countries including US, Italy, France and Germany, were inducted by March 1993 and UNOSOM-1 converted into UNITAF (United Nations International Task Force). Pakistan, whose strength in later months rose to over 7,000 troops, became the main operative contingent in the most war-ravaged part of Mogadishu controlled by the Farah Aideed faction. The other part was under control of Ali Mahdi. Both factions had been authorized a limited number of arms to be kept in their respective Authorized Weapons Storage Sites (AWSS). But individual bandits and gangs were to be disarmed. Also necessary was inspection of AWSS so that accumulation of excessive arms, a potential cause of violence, could be checked. But they were not happy to give up their arms, thanks to their exploitation by vested interests. This caused the tragic 5th June, ‘93 incident. Pak troops were to carry out an inspection of weapons storage sites of Farah Aideed. They were ambushed by Aideed’s followers, using children and women as human shields. Though taken by surprise and totally exposed, the courageous Blue Berets fought their way back, taking full care that the children and women protecting the attackers remain unharmed. But in the process 23 Pakistanis embraced martyrdom, 56 sustained injuries while 11 got disabled.

This resulted in acceleration of search operations. More than 90 per cent of the searches were carried out by Pakistanis. The Olympic Hotel Incident of 3rd October took place during one of these operations when 75 US Rangers got trapped and a joint force of Pakistan-US-Malaysia troops came to their rescue. The grim battle lasted eight hours. The US Rangers suffered 17 casualties and 77 injuries while one was captured by Aideed’s forces. The wounded were admitted to a Pak hospital in the Soccer Stadium. It was the valour and steadfastness of Pak soldiers that made the rescue operation a success, otherwise the entrapped US soldiers might have perished. The UN Secretary-General’s special representative, Admiral Jonathan Howe and UNOSOM Force Commander Lt Gen. Cevik Bir expressed great appreciation for Pak troops’ professionalism and thanked them for rescuing US troops. Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Montgomery, Deputy Commander of the UN Forces in Somalia, in a television interview said: “Many of the soldiers are alive today because of the willingness and skill of Pakistani soldiers who worked jointly in a rescue operation with Malaysian and American soldiers in the most difficult and dangerous combat circumstances.”

On the health front, Pakistani doctors and paramedics provided free medical services to the suffering people at the Pakistan Field Hospital in Mogadishu. This hospital pursued an expanded immunisation program for the benefit of Somalians in collaboration with UNICEF. A Dental Centre provided the much-needed care while anti-TB cover was made available under an anti- tuberculosis program. Over 100,000 Somali men, women and children benefited from the services provided by our eight specialist doctors, 12 general duty medical officers and 180 paramedics. The hospital with 26 doctors, six ICU trained nurses and fully equipped to undertake advanced treatment in surgical, neuro; ophthalmic, ENT, gynecology, skin, child specialisation and dental ailments, also provided indoor treatment to the Somalians.

Later the UNITAF contingents, belonging to US and some European countries left Somalia leading to the reorganization of UN force as UNOSOM-2 and a revision of its charter of duties. The countries contributing to the 19,000-men also included India, Bangladesh, Egypt and Nigeria but Pakistan had the largest number of troops – more than 7,000. The withdrawal of UNOSOM-2 contingents started under a phased program in early 1995. Pakistani troops were selected to cover this withdrawal, which was a befitting tribute to their professionalism. Our contingent was the last one in the row that returned home on March 5th, 1995.

As the Serbs unleashed a reign of terror on the Bosnians, the UN requested Pakistan to contribute troops to its Protection Force (UNF’ROFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina. A 3,000 strong contingent consisting of two battalions and a National Support (NS) Headquarters left for Bosnia and Croatia in May 1994. These battalions PAKBAT-1 and PAKBAT-2 were deployed in the towns of Dares and Durdevik (near Tuzla city of Bosnia while the National Support Headquarters remained based at Split, Croatia. They were tasked to stabilise the military situation with a view to encouraging the return of normalcy, improving freedom of movement by maintaining existing routes, providing protection and supporting various UN agencies and NGOs engaged in relief activities and coordinating humanitarian assistance. Pak troops established conditions favourable to cessation of hostilities through maintenance of local ceasefire agreements, liaison with warring factions, manning of observation posts, and monitoring activity on the confrontation line. In the line of duty, two officers, one junior commissioned officer and three non-commissioned officers laid down their lives. The Pakistani contingent did exceptionally well in identifying, monitoring and protecting all ethnic and minority groups, refugees and displaced persons.

Again it was the Pakistani contingent that was the first to respond and assist over 50,000 refugees who came over after the Serbs had over-run the UN-declared Safe Heavens of Srebrenica and Zepa in July 95. As it was an event which had not been foreseen by the Bosnian government and UN authorities, it was Pakistani Blues who bore the brunt of the crisis for 36 hours single-handedly. From their own resources they provided food items, clothing, medical treatment and shelter before the world help arrived. This was acknowledged in an impressive ceremony organized by Tuzia Red Cross to award certificates of merit to all those who contributed in relief operations.

"The only example in the United Nations history, when a UN military force had gone in, performed its role honestly and came out, was Pakistan's military contingent to Indonesia." These are the words of the then Premier Chou-en-Lai of China, who was greatly moved by the proactive contribution and selfless services of Pakistani peace-keeping troops at the time of Holland handing over the control of Indonesian islands to Jakarta. "It was because of Pakistani troops that Indonesia and Pakistan came so close together. They were Pakistan's best ambassadors," said the emotionally moved Indonesian President Suekarno when the Pakistani troops were about to return to their homeland after completing their peace-keeping mission. Foreign policy experts believe that in fact it was the Pak Army contribution that laid down foundation stone of Pakistan-Indonesia's very cordial relations