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UNITED NATIONS MILITARY OBSERVERS: Methods and Techniques for Serving on a UN Observer Mission

A Course Produced by The United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Programme of Correspondence Instruction in Peace-keeping Operations Course Designer: Lt. Col. Christian Hrleman, Army of Sweden, Retired Series Editor: Harvey J. Langholtz

UNITAR Training Programme of Correspondence Instruction in Peace-keeping Operations Dag Hammarskjld Centre Box 20475 New York, NY 10017 USA

Programme UNITAR de Formation Par Correspondance Aux Oprations de Maintien de la Paix Palais des Nations 1211 Geneve 10 Suisse

United Nations Military Observers: Methods and Techniques for Serving on a UN Observer Mission

A course produced by The United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Programme of Correspondence Instruction Course Designer: Lt. Col. Christian Hrleman, Army of Sweden, Retired

Series Editor: Harvey J. Langholtz COPYRIGHT 1997 UNITAR POCI Address all correspondence to : UNITAR-POCI Dag Hammarskjld Centre Box 20475 New York, NY 10017-20475
This course was developed in part under a generous grant from the United States Institute of Peace. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this course are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Institute of Peace.

UNITED NATIONS INSTITUTE FOR TRAINING AND RESEARCH (UNITAR) PROGRAMME OF CORRESPONDENCE INSTRUCTION IN PEACE-KEEPING OPERATIONS BOX 20475 DAG HAMMARSKJLD CENTRE NEW YORK, NY 10017-20475

INSTITUT DES NATIONS UNIES POUR LA FORMATION ET LA RECHERCHE (UNITAR) PROGRAMME UNITAR DE FORMATION PAR CORRESPONDANCE AUX OPERATIONS DE MAINTIEN DE LA PAIX PALAIS DES NATIONS 1211 GENEVE 10 SUISSE

Dear Student: I am pleased you have enrolled in the correspondence course United Nations Military Observers: Methods and Techniques for Serving on a UN Observer Mission. The Course Designer, Lieutenant Colonel Christian Hrleman, is a recognized authority on the topic and he has used his experience in the development of this course. The content of this course is consistent with the methods and practices of UN Peacekeeping that have been established over the last 50 years. Much of the material in this course is based on the United Nations Military Observers Handbook and has been used with permission. However, the student should keep in mind that this course is for training purposes only. The contents of this course are not directive and the student should refer to appropriate policy documents and other authoritative sources when serving on a UN Observer Mission. UNITAR POCI wishes to express gratitude to Colonel Peter Leentjes, Director of the Training Unit of The United Nations Department of Peace-keeping Operations, for his assistance in the development of this course. Our special thanks also to Ms. Vilma Linares who has done the editing and page layout on this and several other courses from UNITAR POCI. I wish you, the student, every success as you study the material in this course. I trust this will serve you well in any future deployment on a United Nations Observer Mission. Sincerely,

Harvey J. Langholtz, Ph.D.

United Nations Military Observers: Methods and Techniques for Serving on a UN Observer Mission TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii FORMAT OF STUDY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv METHOD OF STUDY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v LESSON I: UNITED NATIONS PEACE-KEEPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1. The United Nations Charter 2. Structure of the United Nations 3. Principles for Peace-Keeping 4. Operational and Tactical Considerations 5. Composition of Peace-keeping Operations 6. Management of Peace-keeping Operations LESSON II: DEMANDS AND DUTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 1. Privileges/Immunities and Responsibilities 2. General Demands 3. Personal Demands 4. Cultural and Social Relations 5. Code of Conduct 6. Military Observer Duties 7. Observation and Information Gathering 8. Communication with the Media LESSON III: LIAISON, MEDIATION, AND NEGOTIATION 1. Liaison 2. Negotiation 3. Mediation 4. Use of Interpreters . . . . 43

LESSON IV: STAFF DUTIES AND REPORTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 1. Written Communications 2. Report Writing Style Guide 3. Daily Situations Report 4. Other Reports 5. Sample Letters LESSON V: INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATIONS . . . . . . . . 81 1. Regulations Affecting UN Use of Communications 2. Procedures for Radio Communication 3. Postal Arrangements LESSON VI: SECURITY AND SAFETY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 1. General Security Measures 2. Hijackings 3. Detainment 4. Mines 5. Snipper Fire 6. Lost Radio Contact LESSON VII: ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICS MATTERS . . 107 1. Notes for the Guidance of Military Observers on Appointment 2. Logistics Support LESSON VIII: FIRST AID AND HEALTH PRECAUTIONS . . . . . 117 1. Principles of First Aid 2. Medical Situations Requiring First Aid Assistance 3. Casevac/Medevac Requests 4. Notice of Casualty 5. Alcohol and Food 6. AIDS and HIV 7. Stress LESSON IX: DRIVING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 1. Permits and Responsibilities 2. Winter Driving 3. Desert Driving END-OF-COURSE-EXAMINATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

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FOREWORD
Since the nature of peacekeeping has become more comprehensive and complex, the importance of training is more evident, underscoring the urgent need for the United Nations to have well-trained and prepared units and individuals participating in its various operations. Because the attitudes, tactics, and methods of peacekeeping operations diverge from conventional military doctrines, efforts must be taken to improve global understanding of United Nations peacekeeping principles and techniques. This Course will assist in training Military Observers by enhancing the general understanding of peacekeeping and by providing specific knowledge of methods and techniques for serving on a United Nations Observer Mission. Chrisitian Hrleman

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FORMAT OF STUDY
This course is designed for independent study, at a pace determined by the student.

Course format and materials permit: MODULAR STUDY EASE OF REVIEW INCREMENTAL LEARNING

Materials needed for the completion of this course are enclosed with the course and listed below : Course booklet: United Nations Military Observers: Methods and Techniques for Serving on a UN Observer Mission End-Of-Course Examination Answer Sheet for End-of-Course Examination Return Envelope for End-of-Course Examination Answer Sheet

STUDENT S RESPONSIBILITIES
The student is responsible for : Learning course material Completing the End-of-Course Examination Submitting the End-of-Course Examination Please see the End-of-Course Examination Answer Sheet for submission instructions.

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METHOD OF STUDY

The following are suggestions for how to proceed with a UNITAR POCI Course. Though the student may have alternate approaches that are effective, the following hints have worked for many. Before you begin actual studies, first browse through the overall course material. Notice the lesson outlines which give you an idea of what will be involved as you proceed. The material should be logical and straightforward. Instead of memorizing individual details, strive to understand concepts and overall perspectives in regard to peace-keeping operations. Set up guidelines regarding how you want to schedule your time. Study the lesson content. At the beginning of each lesson, orient yourself to the main points. If you are able to, read the material twice to ensure maximum understanding and retention, and let time elapse between the readings. When you finish a lesson, take the End-of-Lesson Quiz. For any error, go back to the lesson section and re-read it. Before you go on, be aware of the discrepancy in your understanding that led to the error. After you complete all lessons, take time to review the main points of each lesson. Then, while the material is fresh in your mind, take the End-OfCourse Examination. It is generally best to complete the End-Of-Course Examination in one sitting. Return your End-Of-Course Examination answer sheet to UNITAR POCI. Your exam will be scored and if you achieve a passing grade of 75% or higher, you will be sent a Certificate of Course Completion. If you score below 75%, you will be given one opportunity to take a second version of the End-Of-Course Examination. One note of explanation of spelling is in order. There are six official languages at the United Nations. One of these is English as used in the UK. UNITAR POCI courses are written using English spelling.

LESSON 1 UNITED NATIONS PEACE-KEEPING


1.1 The United Nations Charter 1.2 Structure of the United Nations The Security Council The Secretariat 1.3 Principles for Peace-Keeping Inter-related Concepts to Maintain and Restore International Peace Universal Principles 1.4 Operational and Tactical Considerations 1.5 Composition of Peace-keeping Operations 1.6 Management of Peace-Keeping Operations Department of Peace-keeping Operations Chain of Command

Lesson 1/ United Nations Peace-Keeping

Learning Objectives for Lesson 1: United Nations Peace-Keeping


Lesson 1 acquaints the student with the institutional framework and the universal principles to restore international peace as well as the principles for peace-keeping. It provides the general outline of the United Nations system and enumerates specific details regarding some of the main components responsible for peace-keeping. By the end of Lesson 1, the student should be able to meet the following objectives: Understand the legal and the universal principles behind United Nations peace-keeping; Know the responsibilities of the General Assembly and the Security Council; Know the operational and tactical considerations of a peace-keeping operation; Define the various components of a peace-keeping operation; Understand the United Nations system; Describe the Department of Peace-keeping Operations.

Lesson 1/ United Nations Peace-Keeping

INTRODUCTION The United Nations was established in the shadow of two major world conflicts that spanned a 25-year period and in the wake of the failure of the League of Nations to avert the Second World War. As such its Charter propounds in strong unambiguous language the views of its founders on the maintenance of international peace and security. Peace-keeping per se is not specifically provided for in the Charter; but, born out of necessity, it was developed by United Nations as a practical response to conflict situations that threaten international peace and security. The new political environment and the complexity of current situations require a combination of all instruments available to the United Nations in order to respond responsibly and fairly to various types of conflicts. Peace-keeping is one mean that has proved feasible, but it is only one essential component of the peace process. The fundamental principles of United Nations peace-keeping are the same today as they were at the time of its inception. The role of peace-keepers, soldiers or military observer, is to provide stability and conditions necessary to allow diplomatic and political actions leading to the settlement of the conflict. Lesson 1 should be studied from this perspective.

1.1 THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER The United Nations Charter came into force in 1945 and expressed in clear plain language the view of the founders. The Charter provides the terms of reference for the various elements of the United Nations in fulfilling its responsibilities. The primary purpose of the United Nations is: "To maintain international peace and security and to that end: To take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of peace, and to bring by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of peace..." (Article 1). Peace-keeping, as such, is not specifically provided for in the Charter, except for the provision that "The Security Council may establish such subsidiary organs as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions" (Article 29).

Lesson 1/ United Nations Peace-Keeping

Chapter VI provides for the settlement of disputes by a variety of peaceful measures, including negotiation; enquiry; mediation; conciliation; arbitration; and judicial settlement (Article 33). The Security Council is authorized to call on the parties to settle their disputes by peaceful means or to make recommendations (Article 37). Thus, the decisions or recommendations of the Council for the appropriate terms of settlement of an international dispute should be carried out by the parties themselves. Chapter VII is essentially coercive and designed to deal with threats to peace, breaches of peace and acts of aggression. Under the direction of Chapter VII, the UN Security Council determines the existence of any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression, and makes recommendations or decides which measures will be taken to maintain or restore international peace and security (Article 39). Before resorting to enforcement, the Security Council may call on the parties concerned to comply with provisional measures that it considers necessary or desirable (Article 40). These measures may include complete or partial interruption of economic relations and means of communication, severance of diplomatic relations (Article 41) or such action by air, sea or land forces necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security (Article 42). Chapter VIII of the Charter encourages regional arrangements for the peaceful settlement of local disputes before referring them to the Security Council, providing such arrangements are consistent with the Purposes and Principle of the United Nations (Article 52). When appropriate, the Security Council may utilize regional arrangements or agencies for enforcement action under its authority (Article 53).

Lesson 1/ United Nations Peace-Keeping

1.2 STRUCTURE OF THE UNITED NATIONS The Charter authorises the establishment of six principal organs. These organs are the General Assembly (Chapter IV), the Security Council (Chapter V), The Economic and Social Council (Chapter X), the Trusteeship Council (Chapter XII), the International Court of Justice (Chapter XIV) and the Secretariat (Chapter XV). In addition, there are subsidiary organs, specialised agencies and other bodies related to the United Nations which, altogether, form the "United Nations system". General Assembly The General Assembly is the main deliberative organ. It is composed of representatives of all Member States, each of which has one vote. The Assembly may consider any matter referred to within the scope of the Charter. It may also discuss questions related to maintenance of international peace and security and make recommendations to the Member States or to the Security Council with regard to any such questions, except when the Security Council is exercising functions assigned to it in the Charter. Decisions on important questions, such as those on peace and security, admission of new Members and budgetary matters, require a two-thirds majority. Decisions on other questions are reached by a simple majority. The General Assembly meets once a year in regular session. Special sessions can be convened at the request of the Security Council, or when requested by a majority of Members of the UN or one of Member if the majority of Members concurs. An emergency special session may be called within twenty-four hours of a request by the Security Council on the vote of any nine members of the Council or if a majority of Members concurs.

Lesson 1/ United Nations Peace-Keeping

Because of the great number of questions which the Assembly is called upon to consider, the Assembly allocates most questions to its six Main Committees. Through the First Committee (Political and Security) and the Special Political Committee the Assembly provides the forum to address the security issues. The General Assembly approves and apportions the budget of the Organisation, including the expenses related to peace-keeping operations. The six main committees are: First Committee - Disarmament and international security matters Second Committee - Economic and Financial Third Committee - Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Fourth Committee - Decolonization Fifth Committee - Administrative and Budgetary and Sixth Committee - Legal The Security Council The Charter confers on the Security Council the primary responsibility to maintain or restore international peace and security - mainly in accordance to Chapters VI, VII and VIII of the Charter. When discharging its duties, the Council acts on behalf of all the Member States of the United Nations, who in turn agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council. The Council consists of 5 permanent members - China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States - and 10 non-permanent members, half of which are elected each year by the General Assembly for a term of two years. Each member has one vote. Decisions on substantive matters require nine votes including the concurring votes of all five permanent members. This is the rule of "great Power unanimity", often referred to as the "veto" power. The Secretariat The Secretariat is comprised of a Secretary-General and such staff as the Organisation requires. The Secretary-General is the chief administrative officer of the Organisation. He may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.

Lesson 1/ United Nations Peace-Keeping

The Secretariat itself is divided into several major organisational units, each of which is headed by an Under-Secretary-General or an official of an equivalent level: Headquarters: New York Executive Office of the Secretary-General Office of Internal Oversight Services Office of Legal Affairs Department of Political Affairs Department of Peace-keeping Operations Department of Humanitarian Affairs Department for Policy Coordin. & Sustainable Development Department for Econ. & Social Inform. & Policy Analysis Department for Dev. Support & Management Services Department of Public Information Department of Administration and Management Other organs of the United Nations: United Nations Development Programme United Nations Children's Funds United Nations Population Fund United Nations Office for Project Services Away from the Headquarters: Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees United Nations Office at Geneva United Nations Centre for Human Rights United Nations International Drug Control Programme United Nations Office at Vienna United Nations Conference on Trade and Development United Nations Environment Programme United Nations Centre for Human Settlements(Habitat) United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East World Food Programme Regional Commissions: Economic Commission for Europe Economic Commission for Africa Economic Commission for Latin America & the Caribbean Economic Commission for Asia and the Pacific Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia EOSG OIOS OLA DPA DPKO DHA DPCSD DESIPA DDSMS DPI DAM

UNDP UNICEF UNFPA UNOPS UNHCR UN Geneva UNCHR UNDCP UN Vienna UNCTAD UNEP UNCHS UNRWA WFP ECU ECA ECLAC ESCAP ESCWA

Lesson 1/ United Nations Peace-Keeping

The Military Observer may encounter personnel from certain Programmes, Agencies or Commissions working in connection with or as a part of the peace-keeping operation. The more commons ones are the following: UNHCR/Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, voluntarily financed, extends international protection to more than 18 million refugees, seeking to ensure that they receive asylum and favourable legal status in their asylum country. HQ: Geneva. UNICEF/United Nations Children's Fund, voluntarily financed, helps developing countries, at their request, to improve the quality of life of their children, through low-cost community based services in maternal and child health, nutrition, sanitation and education, as well as emergency relief. HQ: New York. UNIDIR/United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, undertakes independent research on disarmament and related problems, particularly international security issues. HQ: Geneva. UNWRA/United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, voluntarily financed, mainly from Governments, provides education, training, health and relief services to some 2.4 million Arab refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic and the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. HQ: Vienna. UNV/United Nations Volunteers; qualified, experienced and motivated professionals from 120 countries sharing skills on volunteer terms in UN. HQ: Geneva. UNDP/United Nations Development Programme, the world's largest channel for multilateral technical and pre-investment assistance to developing countries, supporting over 6.000 projects in some 150 countries. HQ: New York.

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1.3 PRINCIPLES FOR PEACE-KEEPING

The United Nations represents the most co-operative effort to secure world peace that has ever existed. From its inception, it has fostered international efforts aimed toward the maintenance of international peace and security. Successes have been hard won and have built one upon another in a continuing process of expansion in scope and complexity. Inter-related Concepts to Maintain and Restore International Peace In an effort to be responsive to the dynamic challenges facing the United Nations, the Secretary-General of the United Nations has set forth seven categories for future UN efforts to restore peace and security. Collectively, these concepts present a coherent system for managing conflicts and provide a certain amount of flexibility in responding to the different types of conflicts which confront the international community. These concepts are described below. Preventive Diplomacy is action to prevent disputes from developing between parties, to prevent existing disputes from escalating into conflicts and to limit the spread of the latter when they occur. Peace-making is diplomatic action taken to bring hostile parties to negotiated agreements through such peaceful means as those foreseen under Chapter VI of the UN Charter. Peace-keeping is a United Nations presence in the field (normally involving military and civilian personnel), with the consent of the parties, in order to implement or monitor the implementation of arrangements relating to the control of conflicts (cease-fire, separation of forces, etc.) and their resolution (partial or comprehensive settlements) or to ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian relief. Peace-enforcement may be needed when all other efforts fail. The authority for enforcement is provided by Chapter VII of the Charter and includes the use of armed force to maintain or restore international peace and security in situations in which the Security Council has determined the existence of a threat to the peace, its breach, or an act of aggression. Sanctions refers to measures that do not involve the use of armed force in order to maintain or restore international peace and security. This legal recourse of action is meant to underline that the purpose of sanctions is to modify the behaviour of a party that is threatening international peace and security, and not to punish or otherwise exact retribution.

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Disarmament is the assembly, control, and disposal of weapons. Micro-disarmament is practical disarmament in the context of the conflicts the United Nations is actually dealing with. Micro-disarmament is important during post-conflict peace-building. Disarmament can also follow enforcement action. All sanctions regimes include an arms embargo. Peace-building is critical in the aftermath of conflict. Peace-building involves the identification and support of measures and structures which promote peace and build trust and interaction among former enemies, in order to avoid a relapse into conflict. Universal Principles The universal principles of peace-keeping are built on a clear and achievable mandate and are sustained by the continuous active backing of the Security Council. As such they apply to the entire structure of the operation from the UN Headquarters in New York down to the smallest elements of a mission, including political, military and humanitarian affairs components. It is essential that all elements of a peace-keeping mission comprehend and comply with these principles, which should serve as both a guide and a common frame of reference for all participants involved in peace-keeping operations. The universally accepted principles of peace-keeping are as follows: Consent: UN peace-keeping operations are established with the consent and co-operation of the main parties involved in a conflict. Impartiality: A UN force must be impartial in character. The force cannot take sides without becoming part of the conflict it has been mandated to control and resolve. Minimum Use of Force: In peace-keeping operations, force will not be used to carry out the mandate. Minimum use of force does not exclude self-defense of United Nations personnel and property. The use of force must be clearly defined in the Rules Of Engagement (ROE). Legitimacy: A peace-keeping mission derives its legitimacy from international support, adherence to statutory law and conventions and the credibility of the force. Credibility: The credibility of a peace-keeping operation is confirmation of its ability to accomplish its mandate. To effectively carry out its mandate and earn the confidence of the parties, a peace-keeping force must be composed of trained personnel who are well equipped and possess high professional standards. Negotiation and Mediation: Negotiation and mediation have enormous potential to de-escalate a conflict, promote a secure environment, and develop peaceful and lasting solutions to a conflict.

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1.4 OPERATIONAL AND TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

A peace-keeping mission is primarily a political operation. The head of the mission is responsible for establishing the inter-operability of the various components of the mission, considering the political objectives defined in the mandate. The frame of reference for dealing with rapidly-changing or unanticipated situations that require an immediate response is detailed in terms of the concepts listed below. Transparency: Transparency is consistent with the prevailing requirements for security. All parties should be fully aware of the motives, mission, and intentions of the operation. Co-ordination: A peace-keeping operation may involve a wide range of organisations such as UN relief agencies and non-governmental organisations. Personnel at all levels should seek to establish and nurture co-ordination within the mission, with UN headquarters, within their operational areas, and with the local population. Liaison: Communication should be established at every possible level at the earliest opportunity. Information: Information is essential in order to make continuously updated assessments of the attitudes and capabilities of the parties concerned. Limitations and Restrictions: The area of operations is strictly defined; operations to gather information are limited; and the Rules of Engagement will normally forbid the use of force unless absolutely necessary for self-defense. Armaments: Peace-keeping forces are normally unarmed or lightly armed, and will deploy with only the armaments required for self-defense, consistent with the mandate and the situation in the area of operations. Visibility and Transparency: The physical visibility of a force is enhanced by wearing distinctive, easily recognised UN headgear, badges, signs and insignia. Peace-keeping forces must also make their intentions perfectly clear to all parties underscoring the principle of transparency. Mobility: Peace-keeping forces must be mobile in order to navigate large areas. They must have the capacity to respond rapidly to incidents.

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Centralisation: All activities of the force and all incidents it encounters may have political ramifications. Therefore, reporting and decision-making may be more centralised than in standard military operation. Forces must have adequate communication systems to facilitate the rapid transmission of information from the lowest level in the field to the mission headquarters. Self-sufficiency: Peace-keeping units should arrive in the area of operations as soon as possible, with sufficient stores to operate until a logistics base is in place.

1.5 COMPOSITION OF PEACE-KEEPING OPERATIONS

The composition of a UN peace-keeping operation and, subsequently, the tasks for the operation depend on the problems to be solved in the conflict area and on the political agreement established between the UN and the conflicting groups or parties. The tailoring of the organisation of the UN Operation is completed by selecting the assets needed to fulfil the mandate. It may involve considerations concerning the following groups of people: Diplomatic and political officer and staff members with tasks that may range from political negotiations to supervising, monitoring and direct control of all administrative bodies and offices. Human rights component which undertakes human rights activities such as monitoring the observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the prevention of human rights abuses and the development and implementation of human rights education programmes. Civil administration component to monitor, supervise or exercise direct control of foreign affairs, national defense, finance, public security and information. Electoral component which undertakes tasks in organising and supervising a free and fair general election or referendum. Repatriation component to take care of refugees, displaced persons, political prisoners and other detainees. The repatriation component organises resettlement processes. This may also involve organising the initiation of the process of rehabilitation, covering the immediate needs and laying the groundwork for future plans.

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Civilian Police component to undertake the supervision or control of local civil police in order to ensure that law and order are maintained effectively and impartially, and that human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully protected. Border Monitors to monitor any embargo imposed by the United Nations along parts of an internationally recognised border. Military component, whose tasks can generally be summarised as the separation of opposing sides, the establishment of a buffer zone or equivalent, the supervision of truce or cease-fire agreement, the prevention of armed conflict between nations or within a nation, and the contribution to the maintenance of law and order and a return to normal conditions. The operation is always supported by the International Staff and Field Service. The administration itself, headed by the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), takes care of the administrative, financial, communications, logistics and security aspects. There may be a need for Local Recruitment. The authority to recruit local personnel is delegated to the Chief Administrative Officer. The Force Commander/Chief Military Observer may request the recruitment of local staff as needed. The terms and conditions of employment for locally-recruited personnel should follow the practice prevailing in the host country-- to the extent possible.

1.6 MANAGEMENT OF PEACE-KEEPING OPERATIONS

Department of Peace-keeping Operations The Security Council is, in general, the authority for mandating and terminating United Nations Peace-keeping Operations. Command of Peace-keeping Operations is vested in the Secretary-General, under the authority of the Security Council. The Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Peace-keeping Operations (DPKO), is delegated by the Secretary-General. He is responsible, in co-ordination with other relevant departments, for the planning, preparation, conduct and direction of most of the United Nations field operations, in particular peace-keeping operations, and assists in the provision of substantive services to the Security Council and the General Assembly. He also provides secretariat services to the Special Committee on Peace-keeping Operations.

Lesson 1/ United Nations Peace-Keeping The Department of Peace-keeping Operations (DPKO) consists of: Office of the Under-Secretary-General Military Adviser Policy and Analysis Unit Situation Centre Executive Office Office of Operations - Africa Division - Asia and Middle East Division - Europe and Latin America Division Office of Planning and Support Planning Division -Mission Planning Service -Civilian Police Unit -Demining Unit -Training Unit Field Administration and Logistics Division -Finance Management Support Service -Logistics and Communications Service -Personnel Management and Support Service

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Chain of Command When a peace-keeping force performs functions not limited to military tasks (multi-dimensional force), it may require large civilian components in addition to the military component, e.g., civilian police or electoral monitors. In such cases, overall command in the field is normally exercised by a civilian official, namely, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) to whom the heads of the various components report. The Secretary-General provides the SRSG with legal and political advisers and with a civilian administrative staff. Operational Authority (Prrogatives de Commandment) means the authority granted to a commander to use the operational capabilities of assigned forces to undertake mandated missions and tasks. There are three degrees of operational authority which can apply to the assignment of military forces in United Nations peace operations: Operational Command (UN), Operational Control (UN) and Tactical Control (UN). UN Operational command (commandment oprationnel) is the authority granted to a commander to assign missions or tasks to subordinate commanders, to deploy units, to reassign forces, and to retain or delegate operational and/or tactical control as may be deemed necessary. It does not by itself include responsibility for administration or logistics. Note: Operational Command is the highest level of operational authority which can be given to an appointed commander who is acting outside of his own national chain of command. It is the authority to task military assets in detail utilising the full range of their inherent operational capabilities without requiring the prior consent of the Troop-Contributing Country. Traditionally, this level of operational authority is seldom authorised by Member States outside their national chain of command. UN Operational Control (contrle operatinel) means the authority granted to a commander to direct forces in order to accomplish specific missions or tasks which are usually limited by function, time, or location (or a combination), to deploy units concerned, and to retain or assign tactical control of those units. It does not include authority to assign separate employment of components of the units concerned. It does not in itself include responsibility for administration or logistics.

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Note: Operational Control is a more restrictive level of authority than Operational Command. Under Operational Control, forces are assigned by Troop-Contributing Countries for specific missions or tasks which are normally limited by function, time, or location or a combination thereof. These limitations are derived from the relevant Security Council Resolution/Mandate. Where forces are placed under Operational Control, a United Nations Force Commander cannot change the mission of those forces or deploy them outside the area of responsibility previously agreed to by the Troop-Contributing Country without the prior consent of this country. Further, a United Nations commander cannot separate contingents by assigning tasks to components of the units concerned. Finally, under Operational Control as well as under Operational Command, a United Nations commander cannot divide contingents supplies, administer discipline, promote anyone, or change their internal organisation. National command (commandment national) is organised by, and functions under the authority of, a specific nation. It may or may not be placed under a UN commander. A national commander (national commendant), territorial or functional, is normally not in the UN chain of command. Area command (commandement de zone) is composed of those organised elements of one or more of the armed services, who are designated to operate in a specific geographical area and are placed under a single commander. Base command (commandement des bases) is an area containing a military base or group of such bases organised under one commander.

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LESSON 1 END-OF-LESSON QUIZ

1. The UN Charter states that the primary purpose of the UN is to: (A) Maintain international peace and security no matter what it takes; (B) Maintain international peace and security by taking collective measures to prevent and remove threats to the peace; (C) Settle international disputes, that might escalate, by requiring the superpower nations to send military forces.

2. Peace-keeping is not specifically mentioned in the UN Charter. (A) True; (B) False.

3. Chapter VI of the UN Charter provides for the settlement of disputes by: (A) Selective measures such as negotiation, or when necessary, applying economic or social sanctions; (B) A variety of peaceful measures involving the Security Council to call on the parties to settle their disputes by peaceful means; (C) Whatever means are necessary to re-establish international peace and security.

4. The nature of Chapter VII of the UN charter is essentially: (A) Designed to engage local diplomatic initiatives in the face of escalating tensions between nations; (B) Meant to stress that military initiatives be taken when there is a threat to international peace; (C) Coercive in order to deal with threats to peace, breaches of the peace and acts of aggression.

Lesson 1/ United Nations Peace-Keeping 5. Preventive Diplomacy refers to:

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(A) Action taken to prevent disputes from developing between parties, and ameliorating existing disputes; (B) The attempt by aggressors to prevent diplomatic efforts toward peace; (C) Diplomacy that prevents aggressors from backing out of any agreements they may sign. 6. As a concept, Peace-making refers to: (A) Each nation taking responsibility to make its best efforts to keep the international peace; (B) Diplomatic action to bring hostile parties to accept negotiated agreements through peaceful means; (C) Pressure that is collectively exerted by UN nations toward local disputes to settle their disagreements diplomatically. 7. As a principle, Peace-enforcement mainly defines: (A) The use of UN personnel to ensure that international agreements are monitored and kept; (B) The rules observed by the military troops when on a UN peace-keeping mission; (C) The use of armed force to maintain or restore international peace. 8. The key thrust of peace-building is to: (A) Identify and support measures and structures needed to promote peace and trust between former enemies; (B) Assess the damage done after a conflict in order to rebuild buildings and infrastructures so that the population can recover; (C) Providing financial aid to war-torn countries so that they may recover both in political and in daily living terms. 9. In peace-keeping, disarmament is defined as: (A) The assembly, control and disposal of weapons, which can include an arms embargo; (B) The assembly, control and disposal of weapons, but excluding an arms embargo; (C) The use of arms by UN peace-keepers only for the purpose of self-defense.

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10. Consent refers to the principle of: (A) Gaining the consent of nations via the General Assembly in order to establish a peace-keeping operation; (B) Establishing a UN peace-keeping operations only with the consent and cooperation of the main parties involved in a conflict; (C) Gaining the consent of the parties in conflict in order to appoint a mediator to negotiate the peace process.

11. A peace-keeping mission derives its legitimacy from: (A) Adherence to the UN mandate and international laws and conventions; (B) International support, adherence to international law and conventions, and the credibility of the force; (C) International support, adherence to international law and conventions, and the mandate signed by the Secretary General.

12. The operational tactic of transparency means that: (A) The weapons and weaponry carried and stored by UN troops in theatre should be made obvious to all; (B) UN troops should always be in sight on a peace-keeping mission, especially where tensions are high; (C) All parties should be fully aware of the motives, mission and intentions of the operation.

13. Mobility is an operational tactic that allows peace-keeping forces to: (A) Be physically in good enough shape to hike or run quickly in order to apprehend or respond to aggressors; (B) Be mobile over a large area so as to be able to respond rapidly to incidents; (C) Have vehicles that travel up to 100 miles per hour in order to escape fire from aggressors.

Lesson 1/ United Nations Peace-Keeping 14. Centralisation is the operational need to have:

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(A) A central location as the headquarters in theatre where decisions are made by those highest in command; (B) Adequate communication systems, at all force levels, to report all incidents that are encountered; (C) All decisions checked through the Force Commander. 15. In addition to the military component, the composition of a UN Peace-keeping operation may include: (A) Diplomatic and political officers, a human rights component, and a repatriation component; (B) A civil administration component, a human rights component, and a mandate inspection component; (C) Diplomatic and political officers, an electoral component, and an entertainment component to provide sufficient relaxation for troops. 16. The Civilian Police component of a peace-keeping operation: (A) Maintains law and order in the local community; (B) Supervises local civil police to ensure that law and order are maintained effectively and impartially, and that the human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully protected; (C) Supervises investigations among UN personnel suspected of wrong-doing. 17. The authority that mandates and terminates United Nations Peace-keeping Operations is the: (A) General Assembly; (B) Security Council; (C) Secretary General. 18. The UN authority responsible for the day-to-day working of a peace-keeping operation is the: (A) Secretary General; (B) General Assembly; (C) Security Council.

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19. Because the General Assembly is called upon to consider a great number of questions, it presents most questions for consideration to: (A) The Secretary General; (B) The Department for Peace-keeping Operations; (C) Its six Main Committees.

20. Decisions on important matters by the Security Council require nine votes and the concurring votes of all five of the permanent members: (A) True; (B) False.

END OF LESSON QUIZ: LESSON 1 ANSWER KEY

1B, 2A, 3B, 4C, 5A, 6B, 7C, 8A, 9A, 10B, 11B, 12C, 13B, 14B, 15A, 16B, 17B, 18A, 19C, 20A

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LESSON 2 DEMANDS AND DUTIES


2.1 2.2 Privileges/Immunities and Responsibilities General Demands Demands for Impartiality and Transparency National Responsibilities Personal Demands Cultural and Social Relations Code of Conduct Military Observer Duties Observation and Information Gathering Communication with Media

2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8

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Learning Objectives for Lesson 2: Demands and Duties


Lesson 2 gives the student an in-depth review of the duties of the UN Military Observer, and how he or she should present himself or herself to others. It outlines the qualities of an observer, and specifies what should be learned about a mission before departure. By the end of Lesson 2, the student should be able to meet the following objectives: Understand the principles of a UN Military Observer mission; Understand the duties of a military observer; Appreciate the demands made on a military observer, both in terms of duties as well as personal qualities and characteristics; State potential differences in cultural habits and etiquette of the new environment; Describe the effects and the antidote to cultural shock; Understand the Do's and Don'ts of a military observer on a mission; List operational issues that military observers must deal with on a mission.

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INTRODUCTION

The first UN Military Observer mission was created in 1948 when the first Arab-Israeli War broke out in Palestine in May of the same year. Military officers, who arrived in Palestine, were organized in a cohesive group governed by a set of principles and operating procedures that were to guide their tasks. Those principles, especially the principles concerning consent and impartiality, were to influence the configuration of future UN peace-keeping forces. This first mission also set the general pattern for subsequent observer missions and established organizational concepts. Among other things, these concepts outline that observers are considered as "experts on mission" for the UN and thus entitled to the privileges and immunities relevant thereto; that observers serve as individuals, not national representatives; and that observers must be unarmed and are not allowed to carry even side-arms. During the Cold War period, five Military Observer Missions were set up and assigned tasks which ranged from supervising a cease-fire and/or an armistice agreement to verifying the withdrawal of troops and monitoring border areas. Since the end of the Cold War and with the expansion of UN involvement in peace-keeping, the tasks of the military observers have developed dramatically and encompass a variety of tasks within a mission. Experience has shown that the military observers are an excellent complement to traditional peace-keeping forces, since their "unarmed" presence is generally not perceived as a threat by the conflicting parties. This factor has allowed officers in a number of operations to promote consent and positive cooperation not only between the United Nations and the conflicting parties, but also among the parties themselves. However, the complexity of current and future conflicts may require that military observers not just have a better knowledge and understanding of peace-keeping operations, but that they also possess the capability and expertise to promote reconciliation and confidence-building in a mission. Lesson 2 should be studied keeping these additional requirements in mind.

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2.1 PRIVILEGES, IMMUNITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The military observer enjoys certain legal and international privileges and immunities. These are defined under Article VI (Experts on Missions for the United Nations) of the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. Such privileges and immunities are (usually) adhered to by the governments in a mission area. Notwithstanding international acceptance of the philosophy of Article VI, observers must also adhere to the laws and regulations of their own country. In fact, in instances of gross misbehavior, an observer's national authorities shall take whatever legal or disciplinary actions they deem necessary. The Secretary General has the right and authority to waive the immunities and international privileges accorded to an observer in any case where, in his opinion, such immunities and privileges would impede the course of justice. While serving as a military observer the officer will be responsible to the Chief/Senior military observer designated for that particular mission. The military observer will discharge his/her functions and duties, and regulate his/her conduct solely with the interests of the United Nations in view and will not seek or accept orders or instructions from his/her government or any other authority external to the United Nations. Furthermore, the Observer is to maintain impartiality and objectivity in his/her dealings, and therefore is discouraged from having any family or close friendship ties with individuals or organizations in the countries of the mission area which could give rise to any doubts about his or her neutrality.

2.2 GENERAL DEMANDS PLACED ON A MILITARY OBSERVER United Nations military observers must be prepared to accept numerous organizational and representative tasks and responsibilities in the performance of their (mandated) duties. Such tasks will include those of a purely military nature, those that require mediation and negotiation skills, and ones that involve support to United Nations Agencies and other civil and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), such as international humanitarian organizations (e.g. World Vision, Care, Medins Sans Frontires

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Impartiality and Integrity To best maintain impartiality and objectivity and to effectively display transparency of operating procedures, the UN military observer must act and carry out his functions and duties keeping the interests of the United Nations in mind. Therefore, he/she does not seek or accept orders or instructions from his government or from any other authority external to the United Nations. Furthermore, the military observer is discouraged from having any family or close friendship ties with individuals or organizations from the countries in the mission area which could give rise to any doubts about his neutrality and personal integrity. National Responsibilities Notwithstanding the military observer's representational responsibilities to the UN, the officer selected must also recognize responsibilities to his/her own country. While serving with the UN, the officer must bear in mind that he or she may be the only representative of his home country in the mission area, and accordingly must project a good image of himself and his country. Observers must at all times comport themselves with dignity and professional bearing, and must not become involved in any activities which could bring their country into disrepute. 2.3 PERSONAL DEMANDS MADE ON A UN MILITARY OBSERVER

Personal Qualities The military observer must realize that he or she will be performing duties in an environment foreign to that of his home nation, usually encumbered by difficult living conditions, in high stress situations, and often in a foreign language. As representatives of the UN and his home country, the individual nominated as a military observer must be carefully selected to ensure that he or she is capable of performing the tasks required, and that his actions and overall presentation will reflect favorably upon the UN and his home nation. Accordingly, the officer selected must be physically fit, of sound mental character, mature in attitude and outlook, and possess the appropriate career qualifications for the mission. Language skills Consideration for selection as a military observer should take into account familiarity with the 'mission official language'. In addition, as a minimum the officer should be proficient in at least one of the major international languages recognized by the UN (English, French or Spanish, although Arabic, Chinese, and Russian are also listed as 'official' UN languages).

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Physical fitness Military observers must operate at peak efficiency for prolonged periods and thus must be in excellent health and physical condition. The military observer's duties often will be to patrol on foot or by four-wheel-drive vehicle for several days. During such patrols, he will be dependent upon local food, accommodation, and medical availability and must therefore be able to cope with the numerous physical demands of this life-style. Therefore, in terms of physical fitness, the officer selected should: Be in excellent health and physical condition; Be free of cardiac and foot problems; Have a high level of physical endurance and stamina; Have a healthy and tolerant digestive system; Not suffer from allergies or medical conditions that may be difficult to treat in areas with limited medical facilities. Mental fitness Equally as important as physical fitness is mental fitness. The officer selected to be a military observer must possess a strong character, a well-balanced personality and be of good mental health. He must be free of psychological problems and able to operate in conditions of extreme stress and physical danger. In many circumstances his actions and words mean the difference between success and failure; thus he must be scrupulously honest, loyal, brave, and professional. The effective military observer will display the following personality traits: Good judgment, supported by a common-sense approach to problemsolving; An objective attitude, displaying tact and impartiality; A polite demeanor, combined with a firm, but flexible, honest approach; Considerable self-discipline and patience; A friendly, open approach to other nationalities, and a ready sense of humor; An ability to influence others, engendered in imaginativeness and persuasiveness; Demonstrated credibility in leadership.

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Maturity The officer selected for military observer duties should be well-trained and experienced, and accordingly be of the highest military professional caliber. He or she would be preferably of Captain or Major (equivalent) rank, and would satisfy the following selection criteria: Be representative of his national background; Be competent in the mission language (usually English, although French and Spanish are common); Be comfortable in the operational and social environments of both the contributing countries' officers and the armies of the parties in conflict; Have the appropriate operational and tactical staff skills necessary to perform the duties of the appointment for which he/she is selected; Have the mental capability to enable him to understand the organization and functional arrangements of the armies in conflict; Be capable of conducting analytical investigations into alleged incidents, and of compiling and submitting factual and impartial recommendations. Idealism vs Realism The military observer must be able to differentiate between 'idealistic' and 'realistic' attitudes and approaches to problems. The importance of problem analysis and of clear and factual reporting to superior officers must not be understated. The officer's ability to determine courses of action that are achievable rather than desirable is a quality not to be overlooked.

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2.4 CULTURAL AND SOCIAL RELATIONS Cultural shock Cultural shock is the natural response by an individual when he is taken from his own national and ethnic environment to that of another, within which he feels some discomfort or disorientation. The professional military officer will be able, because of his background and training, to overcome the obstacles imposed by such relocation. Some personnel deal with the problem more effectively than others, and those officers who have the benefit of previous tours will overcome the phenomenon more quickly than 'first-timers'. Ideally, comprehensive predeparture preparation and research help to lessen the impact upon the individual. Cultural awareness Officers selected as military observers must display an understanding of the differences between their own national culture and economic background and that of the host nation. In many instances the officer's military training will instill a sense of acceptance of other cultures and beliefs, however as a 'goodwill ambassador' he must remember that his role in the UN mission is to facilitate conflict resolution, and not to impose solutions. Attitudes As a 'goodwill ambassador' of the United Nations, the military observer's attitude to his duties and environment should reflect the international respect that is expected of UN personnel serving overseas. The Observer must display tolerance of other cultures, some of which may differ markedly in personal deportment and habits from his/her own. The Observer must respect local cultures, customs, and behavior patterns. 'Keeping Face' Military observers must understand the importance placed on 'keeping face', which is the personal perception of respect that is important in many cultures. Keeping face is especially important during negotiations. For example, when a cease-fire is being discussed, if one or another of the combatants is seen to be losing ground in the negotiation and consequently 'loses face' among his peers, difficulties in the negotiation may ensue. Under such circumstances, those representatives may be compelled to say one thing but mean another in an effort to avoid being seen as the weaker negotiator, which could lead to contradictory positions becoming apparent at a later stage, to the detriment of the negotiations.

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'Soldier' vs Civilian mentality Military observers must accept their position in the UN mission hierarchy, and must bear in mind that the Observer's job is but one of numerous, sometimes totally unrelated, tasks in a multi-dimensional mission. Consequently, the military observer must recognize that in many instances the Non-Government Organizations and UN civilian, humanitarian agencies have been working in the mission area long before the military component arrived and have established long-standing contacts and liaisons which, although civilian in nature, can be of great benefit to the Observer. Personal habits/actions Military observers must be aware that although their personal behavior may be considered normal in their own society, some of these habits may cause offense in other societies. For example, collecting souvenirs of religious artifacts is considered both sacrilegious and a criminal offense; and a seemingly simple gesture such as patting a small child on the head is considered highly offensive in Bhuddist and Islamic societies. Cultural preparation Many societies also have strict rules concerning relationships between men and women as well as the respect due to spiritual leaders, religious artifacts and places of worship. Thus, prospective military observers should make every effort to prepare for the mission by making use of public libraries, Consulates or Embassies, and conversations with military observers who served previously on the mission. This will ensure that neither they, nor other men or women members of the mission will accidentally cause offense. Most religious elders will be happy to discuss their faith with interested 'non-believers' as long as the approach is made in a respectful manner, and does not compromise the elder's position in his society. Should some cultural difference accidentally lead to an offense on a mission, immediately explain the difference politely and patiently, and suggest that such differences are unavoidable, but that understanding each other's point of view can help resolve disputes.

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2.5 CODE OF CONDUCT The following code of conduct provides standard guidelines of behavior for military observers serving on UN missions. 1. Dress, think, talk, act and behave in a manner befitting the dignity of a disciplined, caring, considerate, mature, respected and trusted soldier, displaying the highest integrity and impartiality. Have pride in your position as a peacekeeper and do not abuse or misuse your authority. 2. Respect the law of the land of the host country, their local culture, traditions, customs and practices. 3. Treat the inhabitants of the host country with respect, courtesy and consideration. You are there as a guest to help them and in so doing will be welcomed with admiration. Neither solicit or accept any material reward, honor or gift. 4. Do not indulge in immoral acts of sexual, physical, or psychological abuse or exploitation of the local population or United Nations staff, especially women and children. 5. Respect and regard the human rights of all. Support and aid the infirm, sick and weak. Do not act in revenge or with malice, in particular when dealing with prisoners, detainees or people in your custody. 6. Properly care for and account for all United Nations money, vehicles, equipment and property assigned to you and do not trade or barter with them to seek personal benefits. 7. Show military courtesy and pay appropriate compliments to all members of the mission, including other United Nations contingents regardless of their creed, gender rank or origin. 8. Show respect for and promote the environment, including the flora and fauna, of the host country. 9. Do not engage in excessive consumption of alcohol or traffic in drugs. 10. Exercise the utmost discretion in handling confidential information and matters of official business which can put lives into danger or soil the image of the United Nations.

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2.6 MILITARY OBSERVER DUTIES

The diversity and complexity of the tasks awaiting a military observer will depend upon the mandate of the particular mission, the political and military situation prevailing, and the living conditions of the civilian population. Strategical tasks (De-escalation) UN military observers, whenever possible, should endeavor to actively limit or prevent disputes from increasing in tension or scale, or erupting into open conflict and violence. Use of preventive diplomacy can ensure that such disputes remain at a manageable, negotiable, level. Any increase in conflict magnitude may be averted by forecasting, and de-escalating, predictable crises. Negotiation/mediation is one of the most powerful tools available to the military observer in his/her tasks of de-escalation of conflicts. Operational tasks Within the overall concept, the military observer's duties encompass a variety of operational tasks within the designated mission area of responsibility, typically inclusive of, but not restricted solely to: Supervision, Monitoring, Verification and Reporting of cease-fire agreements, separations and withdrawals of forces, and cessation of outside assistance; Monitoring of checkpoints, border crossings, entry / exit points, and air and sea ports; Monitoring of the disarmament / demobilization, regrouping and cantonment processes of military forces; Assisting in the location and confiscation of weapons caches; Liaison with, and between, the belligerent factions, other (civilian) UN Agencies, NGOs and neighboring countries; Assistance to Humanitarian Agencies supervising and conducting POW exchanges, food distribution points and convoys, medical supplies and establishments, etc.

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The task to maintain impartiality Military observers should aim to preserve and demonstrate impartiality wherever possible. Displays of favoritism to one side or the other in a dispute will result in the loss of trust and confidence of the other party, and consequently erode any trust which may have built up. Furthermore, compromised impartiality may cause escalation of the dispute, and the subsequent failure of the mission. Staff Duties The importance of "Staff Duties" must not be understated because observers will likely spend part of their deployment employed as Operations Officers or Duty Officers in mission headquarters. It is imperative, therefore, that officers chosen for duty with the UN must be competent in, and confident of, their ability to compose concise and accurate reports and recommendations. Generally the selected officer has some experience of his own nation's procedures and practices. This provides a starting point for assimilation of the international procedures used in UN mission headquarters. As a consequence, completing either the "UN Military Observer" or "UN Staff Officer" course tends to be extremely beneficial to the prospective military observer. Duties concerning Mines, Bombs & Explosive Ordnance (EO) In several of the on-going operations, the mine threat is severe and causes fatal accidents among the local population as well within their UN forces. In the course of his duties, the military observer will be exposed to the possibility of mines, bombs and Explosive Ordnance (EO) risks. For this reason the military observer must be able to appreciate the risk that exist in the area in which he or she will be operating. When necessary, the observer should receive training to be properly aware of the mine and EO risks. (The actual disposal and rendering safe of EOs will be the responsibility of the specialist trades). The military observer's training should, however, give him a sense of: General minefield awareness; Area, route and building search and detection methods; Mine clearance awareness; Vehicle search drills and procedures; Anti-booby trap awareness; EO disposal training (for specialists).

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2.7 OBSERVATION AND INFORMATIONGATHERING TECHNIQUES Observation, Information-gathering and Reporting, though time consuming, are perhaps the most important aspects of the military observer's duties. Generally there are two recognized types of information-gathering techniques: static procedures (e.g. from observation posts) and mobile procedures (e.g. by foot, vehicle or aerial observation) whose detailed techniques are explained in mission SOPs. Static procedures Specific Observation Post (OP), and/or Checkpoint (CP) duties for each particular mission will be covered in detail in the mission's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Thus only a brief summary is presented here. However, the military observer must be sure that he knows and understands the nature and role of the mission and the tasks he has been assigned. The observer must be able to compile accurate, verifiable sketches and notes, from which he will submit reports. The Chief, or Senior, Military Observer will determine the daily routine, work and duty hours to suit the needs of the mission mandate. Generally, however, military observers who work seven-day weeks are granted Compensatory Time Off (CTO) to provide opportunities for rest and recuperation after periods of arduous duty. The detailed formulae applied to calculate "days worked = days off" are specified separately for each mission. Mobile procedures These duties will include, but not be restricted to, the following types and responsibilities: Vehicle patrols(including 'tailing/mobile surveillance'); Foot patrols; Aerial patrols; Long-range patrols; Standing patrols; Town security, or curfew patrols; Interposition, or buffer patrols; Mine and EOD detection patrols; Specific Patrol Duties for each particular mission will be covered in detail in the mission's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Note: While on patrol always use maps with no additional marks. Maps marked with UNITED NATIONS locations may be acceptable in some mission areas.

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Inspection/Search procedures Depending upon the mission mandate, Inspection and Search Procedures SOPs will describe the manner and conduct required of personnel who carry out searches of property and individuals. Note that national sensitivities must be taken into account during any search in order to avoid offending local religious and cultural beliefs and customs. Inspection/Verification procedures Military observer's duties include receiving complaints from belligerents and conduct investigations to verify any alleged breaches of 'cease-fires' and 'separation lines'. The complaint, subsequent investigation, and verification must be submitted formally in writing. The military observer must be able to present a timely, accurate report to his superiors, stating the facts of each incident and its outcome. The Observer can suggest possible actions to prevent recurrences. Detailed SOPs for the mission will outline the format and style required for this procedure.

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2.8 COMMUNICATION WITH MEDIA

Media Awareness Officers selected for duty with UN missions are reminded of the effect that the media may exert upon political leaders and policy makers. It is not uncommon for media representatives to attempt to ingratiate themselves with UN personnel in order to obtain rides on UN vehicles. Media may present themselves as "accredited" or "UN-sponsored" spokesmen in order to validate their own presence. Media Responsibility of a UN Military Observer Always note and report the presence of news media; If unable to avoid speaking to journalists, they should discuss only factual matters in their own area of responsibility; Refer all other questions to the Public Information Officer (PIO); Think before speaking, be polite and helpful, but firm when referring journalists to a higher authority; Be honest and positive while remaining professional and dignified; Never give formal interviews without prior approval from the mission PIO; never discuss UN operations, plans or procedures with journalists; Never divulge information about local forces which might be of use to opponents and be particularly careful of slips of the tongue in social settings; Never speculate, and do not give personal opinions as to what might or might not happen in certain circumstances; Never mislead or take sides; Do not give in to media pressure to discuss topics that one would have to or prefer to avoid.

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LESSON 2 END-OF-LESSON QUIZ

1. A military observer accepts orders from: (A) His own direct chain of command within the United Nations; (B) His own government as well as the UN chain of command; (C) The local government and the UN chain of command. 2. Due to the wide range of tasks he is called upon to perform, the personality traits of a military observer should include: (A) Good judgment, politeness, persuasiveness, and an ability to demonstrate powerfulness to establish UN presence; (B) Objectivity, politeness, proven leadership ability, and a facility in fraternizing with locals; (C) Good judgment, objectivity, politeness, self-discipline and patience, friendliness, persuasiveness, and proven leadership ability. 3. In terms of training and experience, the military observer should know the mission language and customs and: (A) Be comfortable with local officials as well as with officials of contributing countries and have the required tactical and analytical skills; (B) Be able to meet aggression with aggression, diplomacy with diplomacy, as required; (C) Have tactical and analytical skills and have served the UN for a minimum of one year prior to the appointment of observer. 4. Those appointed to tasks as military observers should have the rank of at least: (A) Lieutenant Colonel; (B) Captain or Major; (C) Colonel.

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5. The military observer's analysis of problems and reporting should: (A) Be clear and outline all potential courses of action, even if it seems a bit far-fetched at first glance; (B) Reflect the idealism of the UN and yet be clear in detail, especially in regard to the personalities of faction leaders; (C) Reflect facts and courses of action that are achievable rather than merely desirable. 6. Cultural shock is defined as: (A) The anger expressed by the local population toward the presence of the UN troops, as if they were an alien presence; (B) A response of discomfort or disorientation by an individual when taken from his own cultural environment and place into another; (C) An inability to react to cultural differences in a new cultural environment, because they are too strange to the individual. 7. A military observer should stay alert to efforts to undermine his authority and impartiality. (A) True; (B) False. 8. A military observer should be concerned about: (A) Consuming too much alcohol; (B) Carrying maps openly across cease-fire lines; (C) The likelihood that radio communications will be monitored; (D) All of the above. 9. UN officers may collect religious artifacts or local weapons as souvenirs, as long as they pay a fair price for them to the locals. (A) True; (B) False.

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10. In regard to establishing close friendships or ties with local individuals, families, or organizations, the UN observer is: (A) Discouraged from establishing such ties because it could endanger his position of neutrality and impartiality; (B) Encouraged to established these because locals know he is neutral, and they need to voice their opinions to him; (C) Neither encouraged nor discouraged to establish such ties, and it is left to his own judgment.

11. In relation to observation post duties, military observers work: (A) Five days per week; (B) Six days per week, with four days off consecutively each month as a rest period; (C) Seven days a week, but are given Compensatory Time Off (CTO) to provide rest when required.

12. UN observers are exempt from Staff Duties and serving as Operations Officers or Duty Officers. (A) True; (B) False.

13. There are normally two recognized types of information-gathering techniques used by the UN observer: (A) Static procedures such as observation posts and mobile procedures such as by foot or vehicle; (B) Information directly gathered by the observer, versus information collected second-hand, such as through members of organization; (C) Information collected by highest ranking observers, versus information collected by subordinates.

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14. In his capacity of carrying out investigations and verifications, the UN observer must: (A) Receive complaints either verbally or in writing of breaches of 'cease-fires' and 'separation lines' etc, which he investigates but reports only if important; (B) Attempt to dissuade the parties in conflict from submitting complaints, which only slow down the negotiation process toward an agreement; (C) Receive complaints in writing and conduct investigations to verify breaches of 'cease-fires' and 'separation lines', then present an accurate report including suggestions to prevent recurrences. 15. In terms of mine, bomb, and explosive ordnance awareness, actions and procedures, the UN military observer should have: (A) Significant expertise about minefields, mine clearance, and booby traps as well as mine disposal; (B) Expertise about minefields, mine clearance, and booby traps, but not mine disposal; (C) A general understanding about minefields, mine clearance, and booby traps, while disposal is left to mining engineers. 16. In giving media interviews, UN observers should: (A) Discuss only factual matters in their own area of responsibility, and divulge only misleading information about local forces; (B) Discuss only factual matters in their own area of responsibility while not giving information about local forces which might be of use to opponents; (C) Say as little as possible about any subject.

LESSON 2: END-OF-LESSON QUIZ ANSWER KEY 1A 2C 3A 4B 5C 6B 7A 8D 9B 10A 11C 12B 13A 14C 15C 16B

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LESSON 3 LIAISON, MEDIATION AND NEGOTIATION


3.1 3.2 Liaison Negotiation The Negotiation Plan Preparation Conduct of Negotiation Follow-up 3.3 3.4 Mediation Use of Interpreters

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Learning Objectives for Lesson 3: Liaison, Negotiation and Mediation


Lesson 3 describes the essential parts of the preparation and conduct of negotiations and mediations. Specifically, it guides the student through the processes of preparation and planning which are a necessity for all successful negotiations or mediations. By the end of Lesson 3, the student should be able to meet the following objectives: Fully understand the importance of negotiation/mediation as a de-escalating factor; Outline the preparations for negotiations; Describe how mediation is similar to and different from negotiations; Explain the function and duties of the UN interpreter; Develop a negotiating plan; Be aware of potential topics to be covered; Know the proper conduct during and after negotiations.

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INTRODUCTION

Liaison with the parties involved at every level is essential to promote transparency and to ensure the timely passage of information, and maintain regular communications for the purposes of negotiation and mediation. Consequently, communication should be established at every possible level at the earliest convenience. The requirement for liaison opportunities will increase in proportion to the complexity of the political environment. At the political or strategic level, liaison should include the policy level. At the operational level, a working relationship is needed between the Force Headquarters and the parties on a day-to-day basis. Negotiation refers to the direct dialog with one or more parties e.g., to secure the safe passage of a relief convoy. Mediation means to act as a go-between for the parties. The ultimate aim for negotiation and mediation is to reach agreements to which all parties have freely concurred. Thus negotiation and mediation have enormous potential to de-escalate a conflict, to promote understanding and consensus and to work out solutions to small and large problems at every level and develop peaceful and lasting solutions to a conflict.

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3.1 LIAISON

Definition and Purpose Liaison is defined as the intercommunication established and maintained between elements of military forces, militia and civilian populations and officials. All operations will have a liaison system in place to provide a structural link between the UN and the parties through which discussions of mutual problems can take place. It is important that such a liaison system be established in the very first phase of an operation in order to facilitate the deployment of a force and the implementation of the given mandate. In the areas of military liaison work, certain officers at the Force Headquarters and unit levels may be nominated to conduct negotiations. Therefore, the selection of personnel with negotiation ability and experience is all-important. Structure In general, all UN field operations have a well-developed system that provides liaison from government down to the local level. Military observers, civilian police, and officers in UN units perform the actual day-to-day liaison duties. (See SOP for the actual mission.)

3.2 NEGOTIATION
At the strategical level, negotiations (direct dialogs) are the concern of governments and experienced diplomats. Their approach to negotiation (and mediation) involves political considerations rather than practical military issues. The military observer (or other officers) may be required to negotiate (and mediate) concessions to locally imposed restrictions and limitations in order to be able to complete his or her mission. Negotiated settlements can only take place with the consent of the parties to a dispute. In all negotiations, particularly the most sensitive and difficult ones, the role of the negotiator can be very decisive. While he/she has no authority to enforce a settlement, he/she can and should use persuasion that helps the disputing parties to arrive at a negotiated settlement. Therefore, the negotiator should provide decisive, but fair assistance. Careful planning and preparations are of extreme importance.

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Since negotiation is a very complex and comprehensive issue, it is beyond the scope of this lesson to deal with all aspects of negotiation. In order to guide the military observer, some points to note in respect to preparation, conduct and follow-up have been listed. They are:

Maintain dignity and politeness during dealings with other persons; Remain respectful towards all participants; Remember to pay military and social compliments to hosts and representatives involved in the negotiations; Always agree on the following matters prior to the next meeting: - The location, time, attenders, content/subject matter to be discussed; - The nature of documentation (i.e. agenda and "Minutes" to record what was discussed and, hopefully, agreed), which is extremely important to implement. The Negotiation Plan The basic purpose of negotiation is to obtain something or to resolve disputes. Within a UN peace-keeping operation, negotiations are, in general, aimed at: Identification and isolation of areas of disputes; Prevention of escalation; Down scaling differences in perception of areas of conflict; Resolution of disputes; Preventive action against recurrence of disputes. Within these areas of negotiation, topics likely be discussed are: POW exchange; Repatriation of war-dead; Status of Force Agreement (SOFA) and the UN conduct of tasks; Definition of cease-fire lines; Possible areas of limitation; Separation of opposing forces; Administration of the area between opposing the forces; Freedom of movement; Traffic in and out of the AOS, movements within the AOS; Conditions for the population in the AOS; Exploitation of natural resources and infrastructure; Refugees and displaced persons; Communication between UN and the parties.

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Preparation When the area(s) of dispute(s) has been identified, the forthcoming negotiation has to be prepared carefully. Prepare in advance considering the following: What is the problem/task? Has it been dealt with before? Why has it come up at this time? What is the background/history? Obtain all possible information about the immediate conflict and outline the options for a settlement; Read previous reports on the matter; What was the UN conclusion and how does it relate to previous or future arrangements? Who are the persons involved-- name, rank, personality, authority, religion, attitudes? What are your options, limitations, frame, mandate etc; When and where will the negotiation take place (get confirmation); Establish an agenda for the meeting.

Internal preparations Who is going to doing the talking; Who is taking notes (can notes be taken - tape recorder be used?); Decide on the role of the interpreter; Are you all going to attend the meeting? No over-representation; Decide on need for specialists (weapons, mines, economic, cultural, etc).

Final preparations Be at the place for the meeting in due time, in good shape and well dressed; Make ready for seating, security, parking and communication; Consider coffee, "drinks", food, smoking; Place agenda, pencils and writing pads on the table.

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Conduct of Negotiation During the process of negotiation one must recognize that both parties have a stake and a share in peaceful settlement of their dispute, but also that a successful outcome by itself may not represent the end to the dispute. The opening talks Take your time and be patient; Remember the customary salutations and exchanges of courtesies (in accordance with local habit); Introduce yourself and your team (wear name tag); Outline the framework of the meeting; Some introductory small talk may be useful and polite; it gives everybody a chance to get used to the way the common language is used and it offers a chance to asses the mood; Offer/take refreshments. The main talks If possible let your counterpart start, and listen to him. Do not interrupt, be patient and start to agree on the agenda subjects. If incorrect information is given, state the actual facts (supported by evidence) but do not argue. It is essential to state the UN point of view (facts only). If there are differences in points of view, note the view of the counterpart and highlight the point of view of the opposite side (eventually also the UN attitude). Declare that you will come back to the issue after an investigation of the key problems. Carry out your investigation and negotiation in a similar manner with the other party. In some cases the task of the UN team includes conveying complaints, either from the opposing party or from the UN itself. Make sure that the complaint is clear in all its details, preferably confirmed in writing; Make no promises or admissions, unless the situation or your mandate clearly states you can do so. Do not reveal anything about one party that could be exploited by the other party. To be impartial and correct is of the greatest importance; Always be restrained if one of the parties expresses a negative view about the UN, the opposing party's morale, politics or methods. Try to make everybody accept the UN mandate and the solution it promotes. Make careful reminders about agreements, actual arrangements and past practices; Complete the negotiation by repeating what has been agreed upon, if possible have it confirmed in writing; Agree upon a time and place for further negotiations; and Do not forget polite final phrases etc.

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Follow-up To Negotiation The reporting of results and the follow-up on the meeting is very important for the credibility of the UN operation. Prepare a short verbal briefing for your headquarters (involve all UN members present at the meeting); Prepare a detailed written report on the negotiation, facts, conclusions, recommendations and arrangements; Contribute to other general information systems in accordance with the SOP.

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3.3 MEDIATION
Mediation (acting as a go-between for the parties) requires meticulous preparations particularly concerning the agenda and pre-accepted subjects for the meeting. Since the representatives for the opposing parties are present in the same location, this also calls for careful considerations concerning security measures. Although mediation includes the same pattern and formalities as for negotiation, the following important points should be considered: Preparations Meet the parties separately before the meeting and identify the areas of conflicts; Coordinate with the parties and make an approved agenda to be distributed before the meeting; Discuss the hard subjects with concerned parties and consider possible solutions to the main issue; Propose and decide a meeting place ("a no mans land" or secured area); Discuss and establish the conditions for the meeting - armed/unarmed, how many persons, interpreters, communications, seating, who goes first, separate rooms.

Conduct When UN is involved in mediation, the parties require (but not always) a UN representative to chair the meeting. As a Chairman you should: Start the meeting by reading the agreed agenda; If there has been a previous meeting give the result and the status of what has been implemented; Appear neutral, observe objectivity and remain respectful; Remind all parties that although no one can change the past, each may be able to change the future; Try to balance the outcome ("one for you and one for you"); On one hand, no subversions and on the other hand, do not jump to conclusions - let the parties negotiate; The conclusion must be clear and agreed upon; and If nothing has been agreed upon, maybe they can agree to meet again.

Follow-up: The same as mentioned under negotiation.

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3.4 USE OF INTERPRETERS


The United Nations provides interpreters as needed. They are often recruited from the local population and paid a salary in accordance with a UN contract. A good interpreter is an asset in negotiations/mediation not only because he/she knows the local language but also because they know the customs and habits of the country as well. However, one has to be careful not to discuss sensitive matters which may have an impact on the situation. Consider the interpreters loyalty and recognize that an interpreter may act as an informer for one of the parties involved. Whenever an interpreter is used he/she needs instructions before the meeting. He/she must: Act with a "non visible" attitude; Be fully impartial; Translate your sentences with the greatest accuracy; Not add anything to your sentences or try to explain your sentence; Never participate in the discussion.

When an interpreted discussion takes place, one should always make efforts to talk to the counterpart and not to the interpreter. During the interpretation itself -watch the eyes of the counterpart to see if the "non verbal communication" appears to be in line with the spoken word.

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LESSON 3 END-OF-LESSON QUIZ 1. During negotiations, the UN military observer may have to: (A) Accept all restrictions and limitations that have been locally imposed, so that he does not alienate negotiators; (B) Ignore restrictions and limitations that have been locally imposed, in order to be able to complete his mission; (C) Negotiate concessions to restrictions that have been locally imposed, in order to be able to complete his mission. 2. During any negotiation meeting, the military observer should take note of the following social requirements: (A) Maintain dignity, politeness, show respect and pay military and social compliments to hosts and representatives; (B) Maintain dignity, politeness, show respect but not pay compliments to anyone, so he will not be accused of favoritism; (C) Respect all participants and show all politeness, but give the major leaders the most amount of speaking time and attention in order to enhance their importance and speed up negotiations. 3. The UN military observer should learn in advance as much as he/she can about the participants in a negotiation meeting including their personality, religions, attitudes and points of view toward all issues. (A) True; (B) False. 4. Main topics likely to be discussed during a negotiation headed by a UN military observer are: (A) Definition of cease-fire lines, refugees, areas of limitation, and help to be given by the superpowers to rebuild war-torn areas; (B) Exchange of prisoners, cease-fire lines, refugees, and separation of the parties in conflict (territory and otherwise); (C) Exchange of prisoners, cease-fire lines, refugees, and type of government that would be set up after a peaceful settlement.

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5. The UN military observer is advised to enter the negotiating room without much pre-planning so that he can retain an open and spontaneous attitude toward negotiations. (A) True; (B) False. 6. The UN military observer need not concern himself with the logistics of the negotiation meeting, such as security, seating, parking needs, and food and drink. (A) True; (B) False. 7. In presenting opening remarks at a negotiation meeting between the parties in conflict, the UN military observer should: (A) Give the necessary salutations, then begin the meeting in order to allow the maximum amount of time for negotiations; (B) Greet everyone, and ask each member of the UN team to give their perspective as a way to begin the negotiations; (C) Give the customary salutations, then take his time in order to assess the mood and give everyone a chance to get used to the language in use. 8. If incorrect information is given at any point during a negotiation, the UN military observer should: (A) State the actual facts and the evidence that supports them, without arguing; (B) Let it pass until an advantageous time arises to speak the true facts; (C) State the actual facts and evidence that supports them, and assert the correct version firmly, and if necessary, argue the facts.

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9. Because he/she is the main negotiator during a meeting between the parties in conflict, when under pressure, the military observer can: (A) Assure the parties in conflict that a certain outcome will be forthcoming if they agree to certain points; (B) Commit UN support in terms of services or troops in order to facilitate settlement; (C) Make no promises regarding an outcome or admissions regarding other points of views or situations, unless the mandate specifies that he may do so. 10. As a negotiation meeting is ending, the UN military observer should: (A) Ask each person to repeat what they believe has been agreed upon and appoint someone to summarize the points of view; (B) Summarize what has been agreed upon and make sure that it is in writing; (C) Summarize each persons point of view, and ask each one to rethink their position before the next meeting. 11. Before a negotiation meeting is officially closed, the military observer should: (A) Appoint someone to summarize the meeting in private with each leader who attended, in order to keep negotiations clear; (B) Set the details regarding the next meeting, and confirm how the discussion and agreements are to be documented; (C) Set the details regarding the next meeting. 12. In terms of a report to headquarters following a negotiation with the parties in conflict, the UN observer is obliged to: (A) Give a short verbal briefing; (B) Give a short verbal briefing as well as provide a detailed written report; (C) Present a written report only on the meetings that are critical to the negotiation.

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14. If a mediation session results in no agreements, the UN observer may suggest that: (A) Each party summarize in writing their position on the main issues, and list the areas in which they are willing to make concessions; (B) They at least agree to meet again; (C) The UN observer act as an arbitrator, to make the tie-breaking decisions required to reach agreement. 15. The United Nations provides interpreters as needed. (A) True; (B) False.

LESSON 3 ANSWER KEY END-OF-LESSON-QUIZ 1C 2A 3A 4B 5B 6B 7C 8A 9C 10B 11B 12B 13A 14B 15A

LESSON 4 STAFF DUTIES AND REPORTING


4.1 Written Communications 4.2 Report Writing Style Guide 4.3 Daily Situations Report 4.4 Other Reports 4.5 Sample Letters

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Learning Objectives for Lesson 4: Staff Duties and Reporting


Lesson 4 guides the student through some of the staff requirements of a peace-keeping operation and provides a few guidelines for writing various types of reports. By the end of Lesson 4, the student should be able to meet the following objectives: Be aware of the various types of reports and official letters used on a UN mission; Know how to construct and write an official UN letter; Outline the various types of forms that are used in writing staff duties; Describe operational reports, their contents and their applications; Explain the report writing style used on a UN mission, and its particulars.

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INTRODUCTION

The information system of a peace-keeping operation is based on accurate and impartial observations and reports. Unlike a traditional military system, the content of the observation not only serves the respective level of command initializing the collection of information but also higher echelons. For example: a violation of an agreement observed by a military observer may result in a protest, which is a formal notification to the party concerned and could lead to further investigations. It is therefore important for all staff members at every level to draft reports and official letters that are understandable, accessible and readable. This lesson will provide knowledge about various types of reports and how they should be drafted. 4.1 WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

Written staff work can pose difficulties in United Nations PKOs because of the varied backgrounds, nationalities and staff systems of the officers. To minimize such difficulties it is necessary to aim for simplicity in the language and construction of the documents. This lesson gives information about various means of written communication, outlines guidelines on how to write the different types of reports and provides examples of the most common official and semi-official letters which are used within a UN peace-keeping operation. Types of Written Communication Written communications prepared or handled by Military Observers may take form of formal or informal letters, reports, memoranda, cables or fac-simile. Although the Military Observer only makes drafts, he/she should ensure the status of the document he prepares and consider the forms and formalities of the final paper. Classification and Priority United Nations Secretariat has certain rules and regulations for classification of documents and types of priorities for means of communications. These administrative rules are to be found in the SOPs of each mission.

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4.2 REPORT WRITING STYLE GUIDE The Report Writing Style Guide1 is intended to aide Staff Officers and Duty Officers in the writing and editing of reports. Abbreviations Unusual abbreviations or acronyms should be spelled out fully the first time that they are used in a document. Write USA, not US to describe the United States. This is because reports are sometimes telexed in upper-case and the pronoun us can be confused with the country abbreviation US in the upper-case. Abbreviations for reports should be in upper-case, e.g. NOTICAS, SITREP, SINCREP. Should you come across any abbreviations which are unknown, check back with the originator and follow the rule mentioned above when you report. Capitalization Capitalization of words in English is never easy. Proper names are almost always capitalized, along with titles when they are attached to names. Example: President C-----. The titles of organizations are also capitalized. Example: the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. But a generic description of something is rarely capitalized. Example: The presidents of the parties will meet tomorrow. Note that when a title is used to signify a specific individual, it should be capitalized. Example: President J... is visiting the UN. The President will speak on 22 March. Government is almost always capitalized, even when used generally.

Ref.: United Nations Editorial Manual, ST/DCS/2. United Nations Correspondence Manual, ST7/DCS/4. The Oxford English Dictionary.

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Dates Dates should follow the format: Day, Month, Year. Example: 22 March 1995. All dates should be written in full, i.e. 02 November. To avoid confusion do not use today or yesterday , use dates instead. When in doubt, begin the report statement with the date of the event. Example: On 13 December....... One need not to insert the year unless the event is related to another year. Example: All USA soldiers will depart by 31 March 1995. Format Reports may carry a header and footer with a UN Classification. Maps or diagrams used to illustrate a particular point are to be included in the report, if technical means for the lay-out and the communication of the report are available. When writing the reports, take care to leave the correct spaces after punctuation marks: After a full stop (.) or colon (:) leave two spaces. After a comma (,) or semi colon (;) leave one space. This makes the document easier to read. Grammar Two equal phrases in one sentence require a semi-colon (;). Example: They fired; we fired back. The three word rule: Any prepositional phrase at the beginning of a sentence with three or more words in it, e.g. In the winter , must be followed by a comma. Adverbs such as reportedly or recently should come close to the verb to which they relate. Rarely should they begin a sentence. Media is a plural noun and is therefore followed by the plural form of a verb when media is used as a subject. Example: The media report that... When describing armed forces, avoid using just the title of the forces or unit. Write: The NPFL attacked a village or NPFL forces attacked a village.

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Media Media reports should be accredited at the end of the sentence or paragraph with the source in brackets, i.e. (AFP), (ITN) or (REUTER) etc. When using media reports in a report always indicate the source, e.g. The media report that.... If it is not clear how reliable the media report may be, use phrases such as UNITA-controlled media sources claim that.... Names and Places Always use the persons title or Mr. or Ms. Example: Mr. Cle....., SecretaryGeneral Kofi Annan, etc. As a general rule, the United Nations says the Government of Canada (Note the capitalization). This avoids confusion since there can be many governments at various levels in a country. If you are in doubt whether a particular government is recognized by the United Nations, check the list of Permanent Missions to the United Nations. Only recognized governments can have representatives or observers at the UN. If a place or region is not internationally recognized, put the name in quotation marks when describing it. Example: ABKHAZIA or the ABKHAZIAN defence minister. All names of places (cities, countries) should be typed in capital letters, e.g. TUZLA, SUKHUMI etc. When a geographical expression is part of a name, the first letter should be capitalized. Example: Sector East, State of California, New York City. When referring to a place that is not on the map indicate its distance and direction from a place that is on the map. Numbers The numbers from one to ten are usually spelled out in full, e.g. seven. Those above ten are usually expressed as figures, e.g. 42. However, there are exceptions such as between seven and eleven , or the 4th Brigade , or 07 November. A number as the first word in a sentence is written out in full. Example: Eight soldiers were observed.

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Sequencing If incidents are referred to by date, ensure that they are put down in the correct sequence, i.e. On 21 December, a meeting took place between..., On 23 December, three vehicles... Spelling The UN uses International English (British spelling as described in the Concise Oxford Dictionary). Common spelling problems: The words cease-fire , peace-keeping , and machine-gun are always hyphenated when used as nouns. Middle East is not hyphenated. The expression small arms is always plural and is two words. The word logistics as a noun is always plural. The word battalion has two ts and one l. Its is an abbreviation in English for it is. When used as a possessive pronoun, its has no apostrophe. Secretary-General is always hyphenated and written in full. Style Refer to the UN Correspondence Manual and the UN Editorial Manual when in doubt as to matters of style, abbreviations or format. Ensure that correct titles are used for individuals, CMO, FC, etc.

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4.3 DAILY SITUATIONS REPORT

Daily Situations Report2 All peace-keeping missions are required to provide UN headquarters with daily situations reports (SITREP). SITREPs are not intended to replace the normal detailed communications between Missions and Headquarters on specific matters. The daily SITREP should cover the period midnight to midnight local time. The topics mentioned under the individual headlines will be reported to the extent necessary in accordance with the mandate of the mission and the situation on the ground. If a single topic takes more space than one page, the topic is commonly reported as an annex to the SITREP for practical reasons. Before you start working - see the mission SOP. Highlight The Highlights paragraph covers the major events or trends of the reporting period. This should include any new political, military or humanitarian developments and any major casualties plus any significant developments which could impact on the safety and security of UN personnel. Further details would be provided in topic paragraphs below. NOTE: The HIGHLIGHT paragraph is not the same as the GENERAL SITUATION paragraph. Political The information under this section should include any governmental or political events directly affecting the mission or the missions mandate. Following are some examples of political topics. Meetings: In-country, international. Proposed, actual, dates, attendance, decisions and outcome. Elections: Proposed, actual, dates, attendance, decisions and outcome. Negotiations: Proposed, actual, dates, attendance, decisions and outcome. Internal political parties: Formation, alliances, change of leadership, change of direction. Setting up of councils, local government. Any political decisions which affect the mission.
2

Ref.: DPKO outgoing fax to all missions

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Military Any military events of significance during the reporting period: Cease-fire agreements, military action (both by UN and factional forces), aid to the civil powers, use of new weapons, escalation of violence, changes in operating procedures, new alliances. UN Forces: Significant troop movements: Formation of new sector or regional commands and units. Changes to mission deployment or withdrawal of national contingents. Relocation of national contingents. Factional Forces. Significant troop movement or redeployment. New commanders. Changes to weapons or formations. Military assessments. Restriction on Movement This section should include information on the status of routes: blocking, either natural or man made roadblocks, who is responsible for the block, and which routes are open or closed. Humanitarian The humanitarian section is to report significant developments, problems encountered in provision and support of aid distribution: road, rail, air, sea. Refugees: Numbers, locations, movement, housing, feeding or health problems. Infrastructure: Hospitals, roads, power and water supply, schools. UN help in providing or repairing infrastructure. Civil Affairs This section is to report important developments affecting electoral activity, Civilian Police operations, mine-clearing, or UN agencies in areas of responsibility. It could include information on NGOs, where they impact on mission activities, if they are not covered elsewhere. Coverage of other organizations activities may be included when applicable, in order to enhance the ability of managers at Headquarters to liaise at this level on behalf of the mission concerned. Do not include wider governmental or political activities which will go into the political section of the report. Security And Safety Of Personnel Any information noted or activity observed that affects, or could affect, safety of UN personnel. Targeting or threats against UN personnel, kidnapping, extortion, murder.

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Casualties Death and injuries. When reporting casualties, separate military, civilian police, and civilian deaths and casualties and classify each as to whether it was from hostile action, accident, natural causes (i.e. heart attack, etc). Logistics Major logistic activities or problems affecting operations: Equipment, accommodation, transport (both strategic and tactical), food, power, fuel, money. Comments Comments by the person in charge (SRSG, FC, CMO or SECTOR CMDR).

4.4 OTHER REPORTS

The number of different reports with which an operational UN military observer needs to be familiar depends to a great extent on the mandate of the mission and the situation on the ground. The following examples of report forms should not be considered a comprehensive selection. The student should also keep in mind, that there may be minor deviations in the content of reports depending on the mission. The UNMO is advised to consult the SOP for the actual mission for details before reporting. Warning Report (WARNREP) The purpose of a Warning Report is to warn other UN units, patrols and OP and to give them time to take appropriate action. It is used when a serious or potentially serious violation of a cease-fire agreement is occurring, is about to occur or has occurred. A Warning Report should be followed up as soon as possible by the appropriate operational report. Although there is no unique format for a Warning Report, the following information on the incident/activity should be included: To (call sign) From (call sign) WHEN it started (time group) if known WHAT is happening WHERE it takes place WHO are involved (if they cannot be identified, state: - unidentified u/I) WHAT ACTION is being taken by the rapporteurs (The appropriate Incident/Activity) report to follow in ........ minutes.

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The purpose of a SITREP/SINCREP is to report any incident/activity which could lead to a breach of a cease-fire agreement or any other incident/activity that is not covered by any other report. Serial number of the report: Reference: Para A. Time Report number ( daily chronological order, starting from 0000Z to 2400Z) Fill in only when this report refers to previous report. 1. The time at which the incident/activity occurred or, 2. The times between which the incident/activity took place. If the incident/activity has not ceased at the time the SITREP is sent, state - Still in Progress (SIP). A SITREP should be sent with intervals until the incident/activity has ceased. Para B. Identification 1. Identify the party/parties involved in the activity. (Note: If they cannot be identified, they are reported as unidentified). 2. State any facts which may amplify or modify the details or identification sent in other reports to which this SITREP refers. Para C. Location State location of the incident using map references and names of locations. If this SITREP is related to other reports, state any facts which amplify or modify the details of location sent in other reports. Description of action taken by the OP/Posn/Patrol such as: Investigation started, Ready Reaction Group requested, Liaison Officer/ Military Police/ Medical Section informed. If the report does not relate to previous reports, state any additional information which may be helpful in evaluating the report.

Para D. Action taken

Para E. Additional Information

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Aircraft Activity Report (AIRREP) The purpose AIRREP is to report the flight and/or the attack by one or several aircraft. A WARNREP has to be sent first to ensure that everybody s attention is drawn to the sky. Name of the report ............................................................................... Report no: Reference to: Para A. Time Daily chronological order/reported by starting from 0000Z to 2400Z. Only if it refers to a previous report. 1. The time at which the aircraft was first seen and heard or heard only or time at which the violating aircraft crossed a specified line or was observed within an AOS. 2. The time at which the attack was last observed or the violating aircraft recrossed the line or was last observed within an AOS. Para B. Identification 1. Identification of the attacking or violating aircraft. (Note: If the national markings are not observed the aircraft are reported as unidentified- U/I.) 2. Number of aircraft participating in the attack or violation, or observed within the AOS. The model of the attacking or violating aircraft. If not recognised state - unknown. 3. Weapons used. Report by general classification e.g. bombs, missiles, rockets, cannons, machine guns etc. Para C. Location 1. Where the aircraft originated, or the specific line it crossed, or where it was first observed as a violation. The point should be reported with location and map reference. 2. Impact area or recrossed the line or last observed as a violation. (Note: Under no circumstances should damage assessment be given in this report.)

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Description of action taken by OP/Posn/Patrol. e.g. Investigation, Liaison officer informed, medical element informed etc. Number of strikes during the attack. If two aircraft attack the same target at the same time, it is considered to be one strike. General flight path of the violating aircraft, e.g. South to North or turning North from your reference point. Altitude: Low Medium High 0 - 300 m 300 - 3000 m higher than 3000m

Para E. Additional Info.

If AAA-fire is observed, details as in para A, B, C and E in a SHOOTREP should be sent. If the aircraft has not been identified state the reason e.g. altitude, speed, mist etc.

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SHOOTING REPORT (SHOOTREP) The purpose of a SHOOTREP is to report any firing of weapons which could be considered a violation of a cease-fire agreement or to report on warring factions activities. All firing should be reported. This includes firing of any type of ammunition (including flares, illumination and smoke), whether it is seen and heard, or merely heard, and whether or not the origin of the fire, impact area, or direction can determined. Serial number of the report ........................................................ (Reference to previous report if any) ......................................... Para A. Time 1. The time at which the firing was first seen and heard or time heard only. 2. The time at which the firing started. If the firing has not ceased at the time the report is sent state: Still in progress (SIP) . The time at which the firing has ceased. If the evaluation is that the firing will not continue after it has ceased, the SHOOTREP should be closed. Para B. Weapons 1. State the location of the source firing. 2. Weapons used. Use a general classification such as artillery, mortar, small arms etc. Number of rounds. Report the number of rounds if possible or the intensity of the firing e.g. sporadic, slow (1-10 rds/min), or intense (500 rds/min). Para C. Location 1. The map references (AMR) of the origin of the source firing or the location of the impact area. 2. The map references indicating the impact area. (Note: The basis for a SHOOTREP is that at least two of the following facts are known: Origin, Direction, or Impact Area. Do not give any damage assessment of the impact area). Para D. Action taken Para E. Additional Information Description of action taken by the OP/Posn/Patrol. Seen and /or heard from the location. Any other information which may be helpful in evaluating the report.

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Firing Close to OP Report (FIREREP) The purpose of a Firing Close to OP Report is to report all firing of weapons or detonation of any device which: Passes within 10 metres of UN personnel, vehicles or equipment. Impacts within a UN compound. Causes fragmentation or debris to fall within a UN compound. Causes casualties to UN personnel. Causes damage within a UN compound. Otherwise endangers the safety of UN personnel. A Warning Report should be sent first. The report has the same format as the SHOOTREP and the same information, but the following should be included: Use map references at the closest point at which the round passed UN personnel. State the point of the OP/Compound at which the rounds/fragments impacted. Description of the action taken by the OP/Posn/Patrol such as Investigation. Ready Reaction Group requested, Liaison Officer informed, Medical Section informed (CASEVAC). Any information of casualties including damage caused which may be helpful in the evaluation of the report.

Another type of SHOOTREP/FIREREP used in some mission areas is as follows: Para: A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. Serial number Date-Time-Group UNMO location Incoming/outgoing Weapons type Number of rounds or detonations Origin location (if known) Destination (if known) Casualties UNMO Heard/ Seen/ Told by locals Example: 002 160934B JUN 95 OP 3 - BQ 379 487 Incoming Mortar 27 Unknown BQ 388 493 Unknown UNMO Seen and heard

Do not show any written operational report to Non-UN personnel and make sure your operational report has a limited distribution.

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4.4 SAMPLE LETTERS Example of an official letter3 Official letters are formal letters used within the PKO concerned, and used between PKOs and UN Headquarters, New York. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION Copy _____ of _____Copies Address of Sender ________________________________________________ Reference ___________ Addressee/s SUBJECT _____________________________________________ References A ............................................................... B ............................................................... 1 .......................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... 2 ........................................................................................................................... a........................................................................................ b........................................................................................ (1).............................................. (a)....................................... i..................................... ii................................ SIGNATURE BLOCK Annexes Enclosures Copies SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Ref.: Guideline Standard Operating Procedure, 91-15137 and UN Editorial Manual, ST/DCS/2.

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Example of an Inter Office Memo4 The inter office memo is used for internal correspondence within the HQ. It is designed to save time and may be handwritten. UNITED NATIONS PEACE-KEEPING OPERATION AND UN LOGO TO: .............................................. DATE: __________________ REF: __________________

THROUGH: ..................................... FROM: .............................................

SUBJECT _____________________________________________ 1 ..................................................................................................... .............................................................. 2 .................................................................................................... .............................................................. a. b. 3 ..................................................................................................... Copy to:................................. ................................. NOTE: (a) The interoffice memo will normally be written on the headed note paper of the particular operation involved (e.g. UNITED NATIONS INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON). (b) Unlike the other formats these headings will be part of the notepaper. (c) Normal paragraphing. (d) No signature block. Normally the sender will sign after his/her typed name.

Ref.: Guideline Standard Operating Procedure, 91-15137 and UN Editorial Manual ST/DCS/2.

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Example of a Minutes of Meetings5 Minutes of Meetings are an essential part of any meeting. Minutes are NOT a verbatim account of all discussions, argument and counter-argument, they are the essence of important discussions to be recorded so that readers not attending receive appropriate and adequate information. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION (1) Copy _____ of _____Copies (2) File Ref Distribution (3) Attendance (4).................................................. Chairman .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. Secretary Ser No. 1 (5) Discussion Action by Item Heading (6)............................................. ........................................................(7) ......................................................... It was agreed/decided/directed/...(9) instructed that ...............(8) Item heading (6) ........................................... ......................................................... __________________ (10) D. E. SCRIBE Major Secretary SECURITY CLASSIFICATION (1)

2 (5)

Distribution (3)

Ref.: Guideline Standard Operation Procedures, 91-15137 and UN Editorial Manual ST/DCS/2

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NOTE: The following is a list meanings of the coded numbers in the preceding sample form: (1) See SOPs. (2) Only in case of Classification UN Secret. (3) Distribution List Serial Letter SOPs or put distribution at bottom of last page. (4) List of those present. (5) To correspond with number on agenda. (6) Commence with Relevant agenda item heading. (7) Essential elements of discussion only. (8) Always finish item with one of these options. (9) Name or appointment of whoever tasked with decision/instruction etc. (10) Signed after approval of text by chairman.

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LESSON 4 END-OF-LESSON QUIZ

1. To minimize difficulties that can be encountered in writing reports in the field, the observer should aim for: (A) As short a version as possible; (B) Simplicity in language and construction; (C) At least three persons from different nations giving him comments before finalizing the report. 2. Official letters are formal letters used within a peace-keeping operation and between the site and UN Headquarters in New York. (A) True; (B) False. 3. Interoffice memos used during a peace-keeping operation may not be handwritten. (A) True; (B) False. 4. Minutes of a meeting should contain: (A) A verbatim account of all discussions, arguments, and counter arguments; (B) A summary of points made by the major speakers; (C) The essence of important discussions as a summary for those not able to attend. 5. The SITREP is the Daily Situations Report that describes: (A) Whatever transpired at that location; (B) Problems that arose within staff duties on that day; (C) The positions of the parties in conflict in respect to that location on that day.

LESSON 4/ Staff Duties and Reporting 6. The Daily Situations Report (SITREP) should cover the period: (A) From noon to noon, local time; (B) Daylight hours of a particular day; (C) From midnight to midnight, local time.

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7. The description of the Political Situation in the daily SITREP report should include: (A) Any negotiations or mediations with the parties in conflict and the projected outcome; (B) All meetings, elections, negotiations, political party information and decisions that could affect the UN position; (C) Local politics and policies that attempt to influence the parties in conflict. 8. The description of the Military Situation in the daily SITREP report should include: (A) Agreements, military actions, troop movements, and assessments related to the parties in conflict; (B) The level of tension or danger in the area where UN troops are stationed, and any attacks or potential attacks; (C) Agreements, military actions, troop movements, and assessments related to UN or local forces. 9. In terms of humanitarian affairs, the daily SITREP report should describe: (A) Problems encountered in giving aid, details regarding refugees, and any help provided in building or repair of the local infrastructure; (B) Problems encountered in giving aid, details regarding refugees; (C) The number, locations, movement, housing and feeding needs, or health problems of refugees in the area. 10. Information related to kidnapping, extortion, or murder related to UN personnel should be described in a special communication rather than in the daily SITREP report. (A) True; (B) False.

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11. Logistic activities or problems regarding equipment, food, fuel or other resources do not need to be reported in the daily SITREP report. (A) True; (B) False.

12. At the very end of a daily SITREP report, the person in charge at that UN location adds his comments. (A) True; (B) False.

13. In regard to use of dates, the Report Writing Style Guide suggests that: (A) The date is listed in as day, month, and year as a standardized military format; (B) The date is listed as month, day, and year as a standardized UN format; (C) The order of day and month does not matter as long as the month is written out by letters, in full.

14. The Report Writing Style Guide suggests that maps or diagrams can be included in a report, but only if the technical means exist to transit the lay-out and communication. (A) True; (B) False.

15. In regard to media reports, the Report Writing Style Guide suggests that: (A) A quote from an actual media report should be given in full rather than in part; (B) An analysis of all media reports should be given, and especially the assessment of their reliability; (C) A quote from an actual media report should include its source in brackets, and its reliability assessment should be discussed.

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16. The Report Writing Style Guide specifies that the names of places should be: (A) Typed in abbreviated form; (B) Typed in capital letters; (C) Typed normally, and its location described on a map. 17. A Warning Report is used when: (A) One of the parties in conflict threatens to withdraw from peace negotiations; (B) UN troops violate the basic attitude of impartiality towards either the local population or the parties in conflict; (C) A serious or potentially serious violation of a cease-fire agreement is taking place, is about to take place, or has taken place. 18. A Firing Close to Operations Report (FIREREP) should describe: (A) Firing from normal military weaponry and ammunition such as guns and missiles; (B) Any and all type of firing and ammunition, including flares, illumination and smoke, but only if the source and the place of impact can be determined; (C) Any and all type of firing and ammunition, including flares, illumination and smoke, whether it is seen, merely heard, or direction of impact can or cannot be determined.

LESSON 4 END-OF-LESSON-QUIZ ANSWER KEY 1B 2A 3B 4C 5A 6C 7B 8C 9A 10B 11B 12A 13A 14A 15C 16B 17C 18A

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LESSON 5 INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATIONS


5.1 Regulations Affecting UN Use of Communications 5.2 Procedures for Radio Communication Preparing The Set For Operation Transmitting, General Instructions Phonetics Procedure Words Examples Report Of Reception Formal Message Signal Security 5.3 Postal Arrangements

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Learning Objectives for Lesson 5: Introduction to Communications


Lesson 5 introduces the student to the UN communications systems and its international mandate. It also describes how the communications system is related to a peace-keeping force. A small portion also explains the postal arrangements. The main part deals with how to install and operate a radio set and provides in-depth knowledge of various voice procedures. By the end of Lesson 5, the student should be able to meet the following objectives: Understand the UN communications mandate, its extent as well as its limitations; Explain the procedure for radio transmission and communications; Describe the language and special words and terms used in UN communications; Be able to transmit and receive messages over the communication system.

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INTRODUCTION Since peace-keeping operations are fundamentally political operations, all activities of the force and all incidents it encounters may have political ramifications. Therefore, reporting and decision-making may be more centralized than in standard military operations. To support centralisation, a peace-keeping force must have an adequate communication system to facilitate rapid transmission from the lowest level in the field to the mission headquarters. Lack of proper communication could seriously undermine the control of an operation. The peace-keeping tasks of the UN Force within the area of operation requires an efficient signal system. For various reasons, the nature of the assignment can be entirely specific to duties with UN and, essentially, different from normal military procedure. This calls for more stringent control from senior headquarters over subordinate formations and units, than is normally required. A military observer, whether working alone in very remote areas or as staff officer in headquarters, should be familiar with the overall communication system and with the English voice procedures.

5.1 REGULATIONS AFFECTING UN USE OF COMMUNICATIONS The telecommunications services of a UN peace-keeping operations shall be operated in accordance with Article III of the International Telecommunications Convention and Regulation. The UN peace-keeping force shall enjoy, in cooperation with the host Government(s), the right to unrestricted communication by radio (including satellite, mobile and hand-held radio), telephone, telegraph, facsimile or any other means, and of establishing the necessary facilities for maintaining such communications within or between premises of the force, including the laying of cables and land lines and the establishment of fixed and mobile sending, receiving and repeater stations. The conditional terms are stated in the Status of Force Agreement for the specific operation. The Telecommunication Service within the Force is handled by military/civilian signal units and personnel while service between the Force HQ and the UN HQ in New York is operated by Field Service Officers from the UN Secretariat.

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The Peace-keeping Force assists in providing and maintaining equipment needed for telephone communication from its headquarters to contingents and between contingents, if such assistance is required and equipment cannot be provided by the contingents. The Peace-keeping Force assists in allotment and maintenance of equipment needed for radio communication from the Peace-keeping Force HQ to HQ of contingents. Special radio equipment may be authorized by the Force for communication with outposts or for patrols where normal contingent equipment is inadequate for the task. Contingents may use their national language on communications net within their own unit. On UN communications net the language is the official mission language, normally English, but some missions have had French and Spanish as their official language.

5.2 PROCEDURES FOR RADIO COMMUNICATION

Preparing the set for operation Make sure there is an adequate power source and ensure correct connection to the radio set. Check that the antenna and all cable assemblies' connections are tight and are the correct connections to the set. Connect the audio accessories and check proper operation of function switches. Transmitting-- general instructions Decide ahead of time what you are going to say to ensure it will be clear and brief. Make sure no-one else is speaking on the net when you start. Remember to divide your message into sensible phrases, make pauses and maintain a natural rhythm to your speech. Avoid excessive calling and unofficial transmissions. Use standard pronunciation. Emphasize vowels sufficiently. Avoid extreme pitch, speak in a moderately strong voice, do not shout. Keep a distance of about 5 cm between the microphone and your lips. Shield your microphone from background noises.

Lesson 5 / Introduction to Communications Phonetics The following international phonetic alphabet shall be used:
Letter Phonetic Equivalent Numeral Spoken as:

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

ALFA BRAVO CHARLIE DELTA ECHO FOXTROT GOLF HOTEL INDIA JULIETT KILO LIMA MIKE NOVEMBER OSCAR PAPA QUEBEC ROMEO SIERRA TANGO UNIFORM VICTOR WHISKEY XRAY YANKEE ZULU

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Examples : 12 44 90 136 500 7000 1478

ZERO WUN TOO THU-REE FO-WER FI-YIV SIX SEVEN ATE NINER

TWELVE FO-WER FO-WER NINER ZERO WUN THUH-REE SIX FI-YIV HUNDRED SEVEN THOUSAND WUN FO-WER 19A SEVEN ATE WUN NINER ALFA

In general, numbers are transmitted digit by digit except for multiples of hundreds and thousands, which are spoken as in the examples above.

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Procedure words The following is the list of most common prowords (except precedence prowords) to be used and their meanings: PROWORD ACKNOWLEDGE! AFFIRMATIVE NEGATIVE ALL AFTER ... ALL BEFORE ... CORRECT (THAT IS CORRECT) CORRECTION MEANING Confirm that you have received my message and will comply. (WILCO) Yes/Correct No/Incorrect Everything that you (I) transmitted after ...(Keyword) Everything that you (I) transmitted before ...(Keyword) What you have transmitted is correct, you are correct. An error has been made in this transmission. It will continue with the last word (group) correctly transmitted. An error has been made in this transmission. The correct version is ... That which follows is a corrected version in answer to your request for verification. Your last transmission was incorrect. The correct version is ... This transmission is an error. Disregard it. (This proword shall not be used to cancel any message that has been already completely transmitted and for which receipt or acknowledgment has been received). Station(s) called are not to answer this call, acknowledge this message, or otherwise to transmit in connection with this transmission. Cease all transmissions on this net immediately. Will be maintained until lifted. Silence is lifted. The net is free for traffic.

WRONG DISREGARD THIS TRANSMISSION OUT

DO NOT ANSWER OUT SILENCE -SILENCE -SILENCE ! SILENCE LIFTED

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PROWORD MEANING

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END OF MESSAGE OVER (OUT) END OF TEXT

This concludes the message just transmitted (and the message instructions pertaining to a formal message). The textual part of a formal message ends. Stand by for the message instructions immediately following. I wish to speak on the radio to that person (appointment title). Requested person is now using the radio by himself. Numerals or numbers will follow. (This proword is not used with the call signs, time definitions, grid references, bearings, distances, etc., especially in fixed-form reports). The originator of this formal message is indicated by the address designation immediately following. The addressees whose designations will immediately follow are to take action on this formal message. This transmission is from the station whose designation immediately follows. I have an informal message for you. A formal message which requires recording is about to follow. This is the end of my turn of transmitting. A response is expected. Go ahead, transmit. This is the end of my transmission to you. No answer or acknowledgement is expected. Do not answer, I have nothing more for you, I shall now call some other station on the net. Repeat the entire following transmission back to me exactly as received. The following is my reply to your request to read back.

FETCH ...! ...SPEAKING FIGURES

FROM TO THIS IS ...

MESSAGE MESSAGE FOLLOWS OVER OUT OUT TO YOU READ BACK! I READ BACK

Lesson 5 / Introduction to Communications PROWORD SAY AGAIN MEANING Repeat all of your last transmission. Followed by identification data ALL AFTER, ALL BEFORE, WORD AFTER, WORD BEFORE it means: Repeat...(portion indicated). I am repeating my transmission or portion indicated Go ahead with your transmission. Go ahead transmit: I am ready to copy. Reduce the speed of your transmission. (Normally used in connection with request for repetition).

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I SAY AGAIN SEND! SEND YOUR MESSAGE! ...SPEAK SLOWER

I SPELL

I shall spell the next word, group or equivalent phonetically (Not used when transmitting coded groups only). Transmit the following message to all addressees or to the address designation immediately following. Send this message by way of call sign. I am in contact with the station you are calling, I can act as a relay station. Your message has been passed to ... I have received your last transmission satisfactorily. Have you received this part of my message satisfactorily? I have received your message, understand it, and will comply. (to be used only by the addressee) ROGER and WILCO are never used together.

RELAY TO...

RELAY THROUGH THROUGH ME MESSAGE PASSED TO . . . ROGER ROGER SO FAR? WILCO

Lesson 5 / Introduction to Communications PROWORD UNKNOWN STATION MEANING

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The identity of the station calling or with whom I am attempting to establish communication is unknown. Verify entire message (or portion indicated) with the originator and send correct version. To be used only at discretion of or by the addressee to which the questioned message was directed. That which follows has been verified at your request and is repeated. To be used only as reply to VERIFY

VERIFY

I VERIFY

WAIT (WAIT -WAIT) I must pause for a few seconds. WAIT - OUT I must pause longer than some seconds, and I will call you again when ready. WORD AFTER... WORD BEFORE... WORDS TWICE The word of the message to which I have reference is that which follows... The word of the message to which I have reference is that which precedes... Communication is difficult. Transmit (ting) each phrase (group) twice. This proword can be used as an order, request or as information.

Examples of conversation The Proword THIS IS or FROM is used to indicate the calling station. ALFA - THIS IS CHARLIE - MESSAGE - OVER FROM ALFA - SEND - OVER THIS IS CHARLIE - WATCH FOR FALLEN ROCKS ON ROAD BIRKET I SPELL - BRAVO INDIA ROMEO KILO ECHO TANGO - BIRKET - OVER FROM ALFA - WILCO - OUT

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The following phrases are for use when initiating and answering queries concerning signal strength and readability. RADIO CHECK YOU ARE (I READ YOU) What is my signal strength and readability, how do you read me? You signal strength and readability is as follows...

Reports of signal strength: LOUD GOOD WEAK VERY WEAK NOTHING HEARD Your signal is strong Your signal is good I can hear you only with difficulty. I can hear you only with great difficulty. I cannot hear you at all.

Reports of signal readability: CLEAR READABLE DISTORTED WITH INTERFERENCE NOT READABLE Excellent quality Good quality. No difficulties in reading you. I have trouble reading you. I have trouble reading you due to interference. I can hear that you transmit but I cannot read you at all.

Example: 52 THIS IS 11 - RADIO CHECK - OVER THIS IS 52 - YOU ARE LOUD AND CLEAR - OVER THIS IS 11 - YOU ARE LOUD AND CLEAR AS WELL - OUT

Lesson 5 / Introduction to Communications Formal message Formal message parts should be transmitted in the following order: Preliminary call; Proword MESSAGE FOLLOWS (SEND YOUR MESSAGE);

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Abbreviated call with relay and transmission instructions, if any (READ BACK, RELAY TO etc); Message handling order = precedence (normally one of the following: FLASH, OPERATIONAL IMMEDIATE, PRIORITY or ROUTINE); Date and time group (14 0630 Z Jan); Proword FROM followed by originator's call sign; Proword TO followed by action addressee's call sign; Proword INFO followed by info addressee's call sign; Proword TEXT BEGINS; Security classification (normally one of the following: UNCLASSIFIED, RESTRICTED, CONFIDENTIAL, OR SECRET). The originator and the number of the message; The actual text; Proword END OF TEXT if final instructions are to follow, otherwise END OF MESSAGE.

Signal security The very nature of a UN Peace-keeping Operation means that signal security is not a matter of high priority. Normally, the need for signal security is only between the Force HQ and the UN HQ in New York for reports including political judgements and assessments. It should, however, be noted that there are no restrictions against using signal security systems in the Force and in contingents. It is important that operational procedures for reports etc. are made in such a way that no involved party in a conflict can exploit information they may have monitored on UN radio nets. Personnel operating UN communications system must have a good command of spoken English and radio voice procedures.

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5.3 POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS

The UN peace-keeping operation may make arrangements, through its own facilities, for the processing and transport of private mail addressed to or emanating from members of the UN peace-keeping operations. The Government shall be informed of the nature of such arrangements and shall not interfere with or apply censorship to the mail of the UN peace-keeping operation or its members. In the event that postal arrangements applying to private mail of members of the UN peace-keeping operation are extended to transfer of currency or the transport of packages and parcels, the conditions under which such operations are conducted shall be agreed with the Government.

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LESSON 5 END-OF-LESSON QUIZ

1. In addition to setting up communications systems, the peace-keeping operation may exchange traffic data with the UN global tele-communications network. (A) True; (B) False. 2. UN peace-keeping telecommunications must operate in accordance with the: (A) International Tele-communications Operating Code Book; (B) International Intelligence Regulations and Codes; (C) International Telecommunications Convention and Regulations. 3. Within the host country, the UN mission communications system is: (A) Unrestricted; (B) Allowed within reasonable limits; (C) Allowed, but quite restricted. 4. When a UN mission must connect its communications system to local telegraph, telex, and telephone systems, it is understood that costs will be charged at: (A) High rates because the UN is funded by wealthy nations; (B) The same rates as are charged to local residents; (C) The most favourable (i.e. lowest) rates. 5. In terms of the language of communication on a UN mission, contingents may: (A) Only use the official mission language for UN communications (normally English); (B) Use their national language on the communications net within their own unit but use the official mission language for UN communications (normally English) outside their unit; (C) Choose any language to use for communication.

Lesson 5 / Introduction to Communications 6. When transmitting a radio communication, general instructions include:

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(A) Listening to other communications first, to see whether warring factions may be listening to transmissions; (B) Shielding the microphone from background noises and listening to communications to see if warring parties are listening; (C) Deciding what to say in advance and making sure that no one else is speaking on the net when you begin. 7. Numbers are generally transmitted in a radio broadcast: (A) Digit by digit but multiples of hundreds and thousands are spoken as such; (B) Digit by digit for all numbers; (C) Digit by digit except for multiples of thousands that are spoken as such. 8. If the message "Silence - Silence - Silence" is heard over a radio transmission, it means that: (A) All transmissions should immediately cease, to be maintained until lifted; (B) That all is quiet with no aggression on the cease-fire lines; (C) All transmissions should cease because an important broadcast is to follow. 9. A radio broadcast that contains the following message: "...52 this is 11 - Radio Check - OVER This is 52 - You are LOUD AND CLEAR - OVER This is 11 - You are LOUD AND CLEAR AS WELL - OUT..." is a: (A) Discussion of how well the person speaks out; (B) Indication of force strength; (C) Report of how readable the radio signal is. 10. Despite the private nature of mail arrangements set up by a UN peace-keeping operation, the host nation may censor mail that it suspects may be subversive. (A) True; (B) False. LESSON 5 END-OF-LESSON QUIZ ANSWER KEY 1A 2C 3A 4C 5B 6C 7A 8A 9C 10B

LESSON 6 SECURITY AND SAFETY


6.1 General Security Measures 6.2 Hijackings 6.3 Detainment 6.4 Mines 6.5 Snipper Fire 6.6 Lost Radio Contact

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Learning Objectives for Lesson 6: Security and Safety


Lesson 6 begins to outline some specific points regarding the security measures taken during a peace-keeping operation. In particular, the student should become familiar with the personnel security measures and possible threats to safety and security. By the end of the Lesson, the student should be able to meet the following objectives: Explain what kind of preventive measures should be taken when serving at an OP; Explain how to act and react if you and your vehicle are hijacked; Understand how to react if you are kidnapped or become a witness to the kidnapping of UN personnel; Define where to expect mines and booby traps, and how to cross territory that may be mined; Know how to handle sniper fire; Know what to do in case radio contact is lost.

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INTRODUCTION

The establishment of a secure environment to enable the various components and individuals of a mission to operate has been characteristic of recent peace-keeping operations. This not only serves the security and safety needs of the military components and their installations but also protects civilian personnel, the local population, the permanent and temporary installations and the activities of all UN components and personnel. Security includes control of movement and access through observation posts, guarding objects and individuals, escorting personnel and vehicles in order to maintain freedom of movement and safety. Therefore, it is a priority requirement that personnel become familiar with the security situation and its latest development. However, it should be stated that most of accidents are caused by bad and/or unskillful driving. (See Lesson 9)

6.1 GENERAL SECURITY MEASURES

Military observers are to be cognisant of their responsibilities in respect to personal and site security. The nature of UN Observer Mission duties indicates the necessity for greater security awareness than would be the case in an officers country of origin. Neutrality A display of neutrality contributes to your own protection as well as to the protection of the force. It further ensures that you do not become a target of needless hostility. Make sure that the UN flag is prominently displayed on buildings and vehicles. Photography Photography may become a point of concern. Do not photograph military installations, equipment and personnel or any other sensitive area or object. Mission SOPs will promulgate specific instructions about this matter. Sites and Accommodation Military observers must always remain on guard against the possibility of attack by extremist fringe groups; do not develop regular times for routine tasks; do not become complacent and predictable.

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Personnel Exercise extreme caution when discussing UN operational matters and, in particular, when handling documents in the presence of local staff and non-UN personnel. UN Identification Cards Each UN mission issues mission-specific Identification Cards (ID cards). To ensure verifiable and accurate identification as a member of the UN you are to carry your ID card at all times. Your ID card is to be presented whenever demanded by any of the following: Local authority acting within the scope of official duties; Member of the UN mission performing guard or police duty; Member of the UN mission senior in rank to the ID card holder. Do not lose your ID card!! Personal Precautions Never carry large sums of money or other valuables which would make you attractive to bandits or hijackers. Avoid any political behaviour or speech which would draw unfavourable attention to the UN, and make you a potential target. Never pretend to be any kind of expert who could be useful for extreme political factions.

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6.2 HIJACKINGS

Events have demonstrated that UN personnel are potential targets for hijacking. It is imperative that immediate action can be taken by the UN mission in case of hijacking. If you find yourself in a hijack situation, stay calm, do not provoke or antagonise the abductors. Try to negotiate and do whatever you are forced to do. Watch your body language, move slowly, try to defuse the situation. Appear to be innocent, don't try to save anything but your life. Never try to hide anything or to throw away vehicle keys or obliterate any property. It is imperative that an "Initial Alert" be broadcast. UN mission reaction can only be efficient if it is initiated by a timely and accurate alert, if possible passed by the potential victim if the situation allows, or by a witness to the incident. This message and subsequent traffic pertaining to it will be given absolute priority by Operations Staff. The following is the authorised hijack message text: "HIJACK" Incident location: An Approximate Map Reference (AMR) is the most useful indicator but this may not always be possible. Other simple indicators may be utilized eg km N/S/W/E of UN Position Number, road junction, village etc. Information on hijackers: If available, details such as number and description of hijackers, vehicle colour/make/ registration number, if armed, direction of flight etc. example: "All stations, this is CALL SIGN, Hijack! Hijack! Hijack! Remember: If attempting to dispatch a radio message - keep the microphone out of sight! UN personnel should cooperate with hijackers and no attempt should be made to flee. Hijackers should be told that they have taken unarmed military observers who are in their country in the service of peace and who have no malice toward them.

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If the hijackers insist on stealing the vehicle, they are to be requested to allow all personal belongings to be removed from the vehicle. This is to include all UN equipment. For this reason it is essential that UNMO's do not bring unnecessary equipment when going on patrol. In two-vehicle patrols, the rear vehicle should not attempt to render assistance but it should retire to a safe distance, inform the HQ of the situation and be prepared to render assistance when the hijackers have left. Should the UNMO's be hijacked with their vehicle, then the non-hijacked vehicle is to follow at a safe distance whilst keeping in continuous contact with the HQ. The HQ is to make every effort to try and make contact with the faction the hijackers belong to and arrange the release of the UNMO's.

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6.3 DETAINMENT

If you are detained, there is no reason to conceal anything from the abductors, make it clear that you are a member of a UN mission and that your duty is a peaceful one. Explain the mandate of your mission and that it has the support of all Member States of the United Nations, and the consent of all parties of the conflict in question. Do not hide your personality, or fear any punishment because of saying something you were forced to. Under these circumstances your first task is to survive! Try to find out the reason for your detainment and act accordingly. Be aware that everything will be done by UN to save your life. Do not provoke your "detainers", but attempt to find out what their interest in you is. Never do anything which could undermine the fact that you are a UN-member. Avoid any resistance which could be misinterpreted by your detainers. They will probably be skilled in extracting information from people. Trust in the efforts of UN and all other nations involved to achieve your release. Try to remain as healthy as possible.

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6.3 MINES

A peace-keeping or a military observer force will normally be deployed in the vicinity of former battlefields. Therefore, military observers as well as other UN personnel have to contend with the "mine situation" and other types of battlefield debris. Military observers can also find themselves in situations where some elements of the conflicting parties are engaged in operations using not only mines but also road-side bombs and other explosive devises, directed against each other or against UN personnel. If off-route movement is inevitable - walk or drive on stony ground, where mines or munitions would be hard to conceal. Recognition of existant devises/mines and the principles of use and how to recognize areas where threat exists is a must for all military observers and others involved in peace-keeping operations. The following can serve as a general guidence: Where to expect mines Bottlenecks, edges and forks in roads and tracks; Anywhere in unmetalled tracks; In diversions around obstacles; In exits from roads; Around abandoned equipment; In damaged roads (placed to delay repair). Movement in mined areas Be alert for signs of mines (objects natural or artificial out of place in surrounds); Be wary in moving over most obvious and easy ground and do not walk on road verges; If caught in a mined or trapped area on foot, make for the nearest safe area (hard road or recent vehicle tracks). Feel with hands for anti-personnel mines near the surface of trip-wires; If in a vehicle which is halted in a minefield withdraw in the vehicles track until clear; Mark and report finds. Precautions for Drivers Vary routes in and out to avoid roadside bombs; Drive in the centre of the road, clear of verges; and avoid turns on roads; Avoid excessive speed, and stay on the road at halts.

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6.4 SNIPER FIRE

Sniper fire may be expected at any time and in any place, all personnel must be constantly vigilant and use their common sense. Personnel should not: Stand by open windows. Leave the curtains/blinds open at night when the lights are on in occupied rooms. Remain stationary for longer than necessary when on vehicle patrol. However, should personnel be subjected to sniper fire when indoors, then they are to take cover immediately. If near a window, they should move in cover to a position where they have a substantial wall between themselves and the direction from which the fire was directed. When in vehicles: Should personnel be subjected to sniper fire when stationary then they should exit the area immediately. If the sniper fire is accurate, then they should dismount the vehicle and take cover. If possible they should radio for assistance and an armed armoured escort will be dispatched to protect their egress from the area they are in. Should the personnel, when moving, receive sniper fire, then they are to speed up to the safest possible speed and exit the area immediately.

6.5 LOST RADIO CONTACT

In the event of loss of radio contact on patrol, attempt to use a spare set. If you are not able to establish contact, move the vehicle to a higher ground and try again. If none of the attempts work, the patrol is to return to the last known location where communication was achieved. On losing radio contact with a patrol, the controlling team site is to inform higher HQ regarding the last known location of the patrol. The HQ then contacts UN units, local authorities, and armed elements in the area where contact was lost with the patrol. They are to arrange a vehicle escort to search for the missing patrol.

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LESSON 6 END-OF-LESSON QUIZ

1. A display of neutrality by showing UN affiliation such as flags or UN ID can contribute to security because: (A) It shows a lack of interest in the conflict to the aggressors; (B) It identifies UN personnel as a party not engaged in the conflict and thus not a target; (C) Aggressors know that neutral parties watch the conflict on the sidelines only. 2. As a safeguard against the possibility of attack by extremist fringe groups, military observers should not: (A) Speak to those in extremist fringe groups; (B) Develop regular times for routine tasks so as not to be predictable; (C) Travel in areas held by extremist fringe groups. 3. A UN peacekeeper is advised to keep the following guidelines in order to avoid being taken hostage or hijacked: (A) Do not reveal any expertise that extreme groups might find valuable and register with local officials when visiting a town; (B) Travel with others and carry a loud whistle or noisemaker; (C) Do not carry large amounts of money or valuables, and do not show political speech or behavior. 4. If, as a UN peacekeeper, you are the target of a hijack, you should: (A) Stay calm and if the vehicle is being taken, attempt to throw away the car keys if it is possible to do so; (B) Try to negotiate, stay calm, appear to be innocent, and look for an opportunity to escape; (C) Stay calm, do what you are forced to do, do not try to save anything except your life.

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5. In case of a hijack, as soon as possible, the person involved or witnesses to the incident should initiate the following: (A) Radio warning issued as soon as possible that specifies details; (B) Search for the hijackers by notifying the local police; (C) Report on the incident to the commanding officer. 6. If a hijack occurs toward one vehicle of a two-vehicle UN patrol, the second, unattacked vehicle should: (A) Attempt to help; (B) Not attempt to help, but remain at a safe distance and inform HQ of the situation, standing by to help when the attackers leave; (C) Remain at a safe distance, but shout to the hijackers that they will be fired upon unless they leave immediately.

7. If UN military observers are hijacked along with their vehicle in the presence of a another UN vehicle nearby, the second vehicle should: (A) Follow at a safe distance while keeping in continuous contact by radio with UN HQ; (B) Note the direction and route of travel and immediately report details to local police; (C) Not fire in order to avoid injuring UN personnel, but act in a threatening manner while confronting the aggressors and attempting to intimidate them. 8. When moving in a potentially mined area, danger zones to be concerned about can be: (A) Forks in a road and knapsacks of local guides; (B) Ground that is freshly turned over and baggage in vehicles that pass by; (C) Edges of roads and natural or man-made objects that are out of place.

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9. In areas that may be mined or booby-trapped, hard roads or recent vehicle or foot tracks can be considered safe areas: (A) True; (B) False. 10. If a patrol unit loses radio contact, they should: (A) Return to their base camp immediately; (B) Attempt to use a spare set, or move to higher ground and try again, or return to the last location where communication worked; (C) Fire flares that are observable for up to five miles to signal other UN troops in the area, then continue their mission.

LESSON 6 ANSWER KEY END-OF-LESSON QUIZ

1B 2B 3C 4C 5A 6B 7A 8C 9A 10B

LESSON 7 ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICS MATTERS


7.1 Notes for the Guidance of Military Observers on Appointment 7.2 Logistics Support

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Learning Objectives for Lesson 7: Administrative and Logistic Matters


Lesson 7 guides the student through the administrative and logistic matters related to military observers, much of which is outlined in the UN publication "Notes for the Guidance of Military Observers on Appointment". By the end of Lesson 7, the student should be able to meet the following objectives: Understand the contents of the "Notes" which are sent to personnel about to become UN military observers; Understand logistics support from the point of view of the military observer; List and describe the actions of the Chief Administrative Officer and his departments.

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INTRODUCTION

The spectrum of logistic support for peace-keeping operations varies in size from support of a small group of military observers fulfilling a small observation or verification mission, to a large multidimensional force involving sizable military units involved in complex operations. Regardless of the types of operation to be supported, the logistics support concepts and requirements are the same. However, the United Nations peace-keeping operations are complex, involving the United Nations Headquarters in New York, troop-contributing countries as well as the host country-- each with its own logistics system and specific requirements. Consequently, the management of the logistic operations requires full appreciation by all members of a mission. A military observer will normally not be involved but may have certain responsibilities as a staff officer. This lesson will only deal with logistics related to a military observer's daily duties.

7.1 NOTES FOR THE GUIDANCE OF MILITARY OBSERVERS ON APPOINTMENT

Much of the administrative information required by Military Observers are included in the publication "Notes for the Guidance of Military Observers on Appointment" that is sent to established missions. (For a more thorough understanding of UN Logistics, the student is encouraged to enroll in the correspondence course, "Logistical Support of UN Peace-keeping Operations" available from UNITAR POCI.) The Notes for the specific mission contains guidance on the following: General Background (of the mission) Information on the mission, historical overview of the country, the mandate, geography, UN military units, size and operation, composition, civilian personnel and duty stations. Military Observers Definition, conduct and performance, privileges and immunities, financial liabilities. Qualifications Professional, physical, and other requirements.

Lesson 7 /Administrative and Logistic Matters Duration of tour of duty Administrative matters. Duty schedule, leave and compensatory time off Hours of duty, leave, compensatory time off.

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Travel documents required before departure to mission Responsibility, passport, visas, international certificate of vaccination, photographs. Medical examinations Initial medical examination before departure, blood type. Travel to the mission Class and route, travel schedule. Shipment and insurance of personal baggage Baggage allowance, insurance. Clothing and equipment General information, selection of clothing and equipment, C and E allowance. Living conditions in the mission area Climate, living accommodation, electric current, food, medical, hospital and dental facilities and expenses, mail. Travel and mission subsistence allowance Entitlement, compensation claims, disability payments, beneficiary, death. Compensation for loss of personal effects Entitlements, limitations. Annexes: I. Text of undertaking to be signed by UN Military Observers. II. Privileges and immunities for military observers. III. Clothing and equipment guide list. The "Notes" document is delivered to the prospective military observer in his home country before departure to the mission area through his national authority.

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7.2 LOGISTICS SUPPORT

The logistic system for any UN Military Observer operation is designed to conduct the following tasks: Maintenance of the observer mission; Planning and support of its operational requirements; Planning, provisioning and coordination of logistics and communications, general stores, rations, electronic data processing and petrol, oil, and lubricants; Control of the allocation of transport facilities; Supervision and review of the administrative activities of the mission; Management and operation of postal services, movement control and security arrangements. Logistic Command And Control Within the DPKO, the administrative and logistic support related to field missions is performed by the Field Administration & Logistic Division (FALD). To complete these tasks, FALD works in close cooperation with the Department of Administration & Management concerning commercial purchase and transportation services, personnel administration, recruitment and programme planning, budget and finance.

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Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Under the overall authority of the head of mission, on behalf of FALD, the CAO is responsible for providing the requisite support to the mission. He advises the Head of Mission on all matters relating to the civilian administration of the mission. He also plans and forecasts the mission's personnel and financial requirements, provides overall management, and exercises budgetary control. The Chief Administrative Officer's organisation is as follows: The Chief Civilian Personnel Officer (CPO) is responsible for the administration of all civilian personnel in the mission. The Chief General Services Section (CGSO) is responsible for the provision of mail, courier and central registry operations, service institutes, travel and traffic services, office supplies and general stores, UN property management, building and facilities management; and security and safety. The Chief Finance Officer (CFO) is responsible for the maintenance of the mission budget, commitment accounting, and all financial transaction settlements. The Chief Transportation Officer (CTO) is responsible for coordination, allocation, distribution, accounting, and maintenance of UN-owned vehicles. The CTO may also run a motor pool of UN owned and rental vehicles. The Chief Communications Officer (CCO) is responsible for global communication between UN missions and UN New York, intra-theatre communications services to civilian components and military installations not covered by military signal elements/units and the maintenance of UN-owned communications equipment. The Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) is responsible for the procurement of all materiel and services required for all elements. The Electronic Services Section provides computer related services to all elements of the mission and arrange for programming and hardware support. Note: In personnel issues involving Military Observers, the CAO works in close cooperation with the Chief Military Personnel Officer (CMPO).

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LESSON 7 END-OF-LESSON QUIZ

1. The publication "Notes for the Guidance of Military Observers on Appointment" that is handed out before arrival at a mission provides: (A) A detailed history and summary of the background of the dispute at the mission site; (B) Administrative, mission, and logistic information required by UN military observers for that particular mission; (C) The mandate of the mission as well as the rules and regulations with which peacekeepers must comply as UN personnel.

2. Regarding how to obtain knowledge about the background of a specific mission, the UN military observer should expect: (A) The UN to provide details about the military aspect, but he should research the historical details of the dispute and the country on his own; (B) His own government is expected to provide him with any and all information that he will require on that mission; (C) The UN will provide the basic information that he will need.

3. The UN provides each peacekeeper with a definition of a military observer, his conduct and performance, privileges and immunities, and financial responsibilities. (A) True; (B) False. 4. Regulations governing a military observer's hours of duty, leave, and compensatory time off are pre-determined by the: (A) Contributing nation's commanders; (B) A general meeting of all contributing nation commanders; (C) United Nations Department of Peace-keeping Operations.

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5. Before his departure on the mission, the UN military observer signs an agreement with the UN that lists both his responsibilities and his priviliges as a UN peacekeeper. (A) True; (B) False. 6. Which of the following is not part of the logistic system for a UN military observation operation in which the observer may participate: (A) Maintenance of the observer mission; (B) Determining how many translators will be needed; (C) Operation of postal services, movement control and security arrangements. 7. Logistical command and control is carried out as: (A) An independent responsibility of the contributing nation; (B) A cooperative effort between the Field Administration and Logistic Division of the UN Department of Peace-keeping Operations, and the Department of Administration and Management; (C) By the Field Administration and Logistic Division of the UN Department of Peace-keeping Operations. 8. The duties of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) encompass: (A) Administration of the financial requirements of a mission, including financial arrangements with the parties in conflict; (B) Planning and forecasting a missions personnel requirements, both civilian and military; (C) Planning and forecasting the mission's personnel and financial requirements, over which he exercises budgetary control. 9. The Chief Administrative Office (CAO) reports directly to the Head of Mission. (A) True; (B) False.

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10. The Chief of General Services Section (CGSO) is responsible to the Chief Administrative Officer for: (A) The provision of mail, travel and traffic, building management, and security and safety of the mission; (B) The provision of mail, travel and traffic, office supplies and general storage, and in-theatre communication; (C) Meeting special requests in-theatre of the local population that cannot be met by other departments, such as information about international relief.

LESSON 7 END-OF-LESSON QUIZ ANSWER KEY 1B 2C 3A 4C 5A 6B 7B 8C 9A 10A

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LESSON 8 FIRST AID AND HEALTH PRECAUTIONS


8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 Principles of First Aid Medical Situations Requiring First Aid Assistance Casevac/Medevac Requests Notice of Casualty Alcohol and Food AIDS Stress

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Learning Objectives for Lesson 8: Principles of First Aid and Health Precautions
Lesson 8 examines the first aid principles which a military observer should master and the health precautions that he or she should take before and during the peace-keeping operation. By the end of Lesson 8, the student should be able to meet the following objectives: Be able to describe in detail the medical situations that may require immediate attention, how to recognized them, and what to do; Outline the symptoms of specific conditions such as respiratory or cardiac arrest, bleeding, burns, and other injuries; Describe the treatment or procedures required for specific medical conditions that may be encountered while on duty as a military observer; State how to submit a request for CASEVAC or MEDEVAC to handle emergencies and severe injuries; Understand that food and alcohol consumption may have to be dealt with in a different manner in the new environment; Be aware of some facts about HIV and AIDS.

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Although every peace-keeping operation enjoys the facilities of modern medical support, emergency first aid remains a basic skill for all individuals serving in a peace-keeping mission. Every soldier and officer has to be sufficiently trained for giving emergency first aid. And every man and woman must be aware of the nearest field dressing station or local hospital. It is of supreme importance for the military observer to be fully prepared to provide first aid. The working environments are normally malign and the distance to nearest medical facility is very often too far from his duty station. Although emergency first aid is considered a basic skill, personal hygiene should not be forgotten. It is most important for a military observer to keep the level of personal hygiene high but also to be aware of various medical infections or operational situations which might affect or stress a military observer to a point where he/she is unable to fulfill his/her tasks. 8.1 PRINCIPLES OF FIRST AID At times of need, the military observer may find himself or herself far from medical facilities. Thus, each military observer must be prepared to handle minor medical emergencies, and know what steps to take at any location in order to obtain additional medical support. Safety First In case of an accident, bring the patient to a safe place (shade, away from a vehicle line on a highway, away from fuel leaks or minefields). Stay calm, act with care, but decisively. Assess carefully: Does he/she breathe and in the air passage clear? How does he/she react? (conscious and alert, drowsy, unconscious) How is the pulse? Is the victim bleeding? These four situations may require immediate action. Gently assess the nature of injuries/illness and administer the necessary care. Position the patient appropriately and reassure the patient. You should remain calm. Never leave an unconscious or severely injured patient without supervision. Call for help or get somebody to call for CASEVAC at the closest Medical Clinic or Headquarters / Team site. If several casualties are dispersed in an area, mark their location clearly (light at night).

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Unconsciousness A person may lose consciousness for various reasons such as: head injury, heat stroke, failure of blood circulation or respiration, shock, intoxication. Procedures Turn patient on the uninjured side, open his mouth and clear air passages; Avoid unnecessary movements; Never force an unconscious patient to swallow fluids; Never leave the victim alone, observe the respiration and pulse. Special risks: Vomiting and air passage obstruction, - respiratory arrest. Respiratory Arrest Patients with respiratory arrest rapidly become unconscious. Expired Air Resuscitation (EAR) has to be initiated as soon as possible, within less than 30 seconds. Respiratory arrest may occur as a result of the following: airways obstruction, cardiac arrest, electric shock, head injury, chest injury internal bleeding and shock, intoxication, severe illness. Procedures: Clear the air passages; Elevate the jaw, open the mouth; Start mouth-to-mouth or mouth to nose respiration; Blow all your air through the mouth or the nose to inflate the lungs, observe the chest rising, then listen for air being exhaled; Repeat this cycle 15 times per minute; Continue until spontaneous breathing starts or a doctor arrives. Cardiac Arrest A person may be suffering from cardiac arrest if he/she is unconscious, has no pulse and is not breathing. Cardiac arrest may be caused by respiratory arrest, heart disease, advanced heat stroke, or by a severe accident. Procedures If experienced, immediately start cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)= expired air resuscitation plus external compression - with 60 chest compressions a minute (including one mouth to mouth ventilation every 5 compressions).

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External Bleeding-- Procedures Elevate the wounded extremity; Apply a compression bandage on the wound; Check after 2 minutes; if bleeding continues, apply a second compressing bandage on top of the first bandage. (Use of an arterial tourniquet is necessary only in exceptional circumstance amputation with bleeding artery in spite of dressing- and as near the bleeding point as possible.) Internal Bleeding May occur after blunt injuries involving soft tissue (legs, buttocks, back) chest or abdomen. Swelling and pain are the main findings. The suspicion of internal bleeding always requires immediate CASEVAC, since shock may develop rapidly. Shock Shock may occur as a result of severe external or internal loss of blood, severe dehydration, heat stroke, and in rare cases it may be caused by severe illness. Symptoms Moist, pale and cool skin; Dizziness, confusion, restlessness and combativeness, unconsciousness; Rapid and superficial pulse at rest (above 100/min); Additional symptoms of the underlying disorder. Procedures Patient in a supine position with head down; Shock positioning with legs elevated at a 45 angle; Side positioning if patient is unconscious; Eliminate the cause of the shock (stop loss of blood, force patient to drink if he/she is fully conscious); Set i.v. or s.c. infusion, if trained. Note: ALL shock patients require CASEVAC.

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Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke These are potentially dangerous conditions caused by heat exposure that affect mostly non-acclimatized, dehydrated persons. If heat exhaustion is not treated immediately, the condition can progress to heat-stroke, which is a life-threatening emergency. Symptoms Thirst, vomiting, muscle cramps, headache, hot (red skin, confusion, rapid pulse, unconsciousness). Note: Confusion and unconsciousness may rapidly follow the symptoms of heat exhaustion. Prevention Stay in shaded areas, avoid physical work during hot daytime and make frequent rest periods (15 min./h). Drink, before exposing yourself to the heat. Ensure adequate fluid intake, do not wait until you feel thirsty, at which point you may already be dehydrated. Increase the amount you drink when exercising or when temperature or humidity rise. Rules: Temp above 35 C / 90 F Temp 30 - 35C / 90 F Temp below 30C / 90 F 1-2 litres per working hour 8- 15 liters per day 1 liter per 2 working hours 5 liters per day 3 liters per day

Treatment Treat the early signs of heat exhaustion by moving the patient to a cool and shaded place, splash the victim with ample water, fan, supply cold drinks continuously. Ask for CASEVAC if confusion does not decrease within one hour. Burns Immediately cool the burned area with cold water for 15 minutes. Do not break blisters or apply cream. If possible, apply clean dressings, soaked with clean water and transport for further medical treatment. If the patient is conscious, give frequent drinks of water.

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Fractures and Larger Wounds Immobilization and external fixation is the best way to prevent further tissue damage. This reduces both pain and loss of blood. Procedures Avoid unnecessary movement of limb, cover the wound, arrest bleeding, prepare material for external fixation and, when necessary, prepare lengths and soft cover or splint the fracture to the other non-injured limb, immobilizing the joint above and below. Note: If you suspect the injured person has back injuries (severe back/vertebral pain): Do not move the patient. Stabilize the position ( with rolled blanket for example) and put him on a solid flat surface. Initiate CASEVAC and mention "back injury" for specific transport equipment. Head Injury Blunt and open head injuries mainly occur in car accidents, falls, or are caused by direct blows. Injuries that penetrate the head may be caused by foreign bodies (bullet or fragments of missiles, mines, grenades, etc.) Unconsciousness is the leading symptom; it can develop slowly over hour. Cerebral damage or bleeding must be suspected when the patient: Becomes drowsy, irritable, disoriented or irrational; Complains of a headache; Vomits; Does not respond adequately, becomes unconscious or may have seizure; Loses consciousness. All patients with suspected head injuries represent emergencies where immediate CASEVAC is necessary. Never leave the patient alone. If unconscious, turn the victim on the side and put a support under the head.

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Snake Bite A snake bite is a medical emergency, but it is rarely deadly. More than 75% of the bites are inflicted in the lower limbs. Prevention Protect legs with boots and trousers; Watch your step; Dont turn over stones with bare hands. Retreat when you see a snake, never touch a "dead" snake; Avoid sleeping on the floor. Turn and shake clothes, boots and sleeping bags before use. Treatment Remain calm; Make sure it was a snake bite; if possible, kill the snake and take it for later identification; Provide medication for pain (analgesics) and stand-by assistance; Cool the affected area; Disinfect with Betaine or soap; Immobilize the patient and the bitten area; Initiate CASEVAC to the nearest Medical Section. Snake antivenoms are available only at the Medical Clinics. Doctors may only use the serum for treatment of patients. Scorpion Bite Scorpion bites are more painful than snakes bites, but less dangerous. In most cases, they do not require immediate medical attention, but to be sure call the nearest Medical Clinic for advice. An antivenom is usually not required. Procedure Disinfect the area with Betaine; Elevate and cool the affected limb; Provide medication for pain; Immobilize the limb. Bruises Procedure Clean the area and apply an ice-pack directly to the damaged area for 10 minutes; Cover with a clean bandage; Elevate and splint the affected area.

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If the cut is deep or extensive or involves face or hands, call for CASEVAC because suturing may be necessary.

Eye Protection Extreme light, dry air, heat, and dusty winds are all hazardous to your eyes. Use goggles or sunglasses; Avoid direct strong airflow to the face (air-conditioning/ventilation of the car or patients head to close to open window in the car); Do not rub your eyes once you have developed an irritation, but eliminate the possible cause; Once irritation has developed flush your eyes with clean water and apply eye drops every two hours.

Foot Care Procedure Keep feet clean and dry; Wash and massage daily; Change socks daily; Elevate feet when possible; Frequently apply ointment to dry skin.

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CASEVAC by definition is the evacuation of a casualty from points of injury to the next suitable level of care. The time-factor confers first priority status to CASEVAC/MEDEVAC requests. A CASEVAC or MEDEVAC request could be transmitted by either telephone or radio. When using radio check the SOP to see if special frequencies are allocated for the purpose; if not-- use the OPSchannel. By definition MEDEVAC is the evacuation of medical cases between the level of care established in theater (intra-theater MEDEVAC) to medical facilities out of theater (inter-theater MEDEVAC). The following information must be available to initiate a CASEVAC: Your own location: Call sign of unit/Team site/sector HQ and/or name of person requesting evacuation. Nature of injury or illness: (e.g.,head injury, broken leg, heatstroke, snakebite, unconsciousness). Casualty-location: (e.g., G.P.S. co-ordinates, Team site, road between X and Y, on patrol 50 kilometres north of... ). Number of casualties. Additional remarks: (e.g., nature of accident, possible local hazards such as fire, explosions, hostile activities), whether the condition of the patient is stable or deteriorating).

Lesson 8 / First Aid and Health Precautions Sample Casevac Request Message to Send: CASEVAC - CASEVAC - CASEVAC

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From: (Unit or Team) TO: (Medical Unit or Unit with ambulances or helicopters. See SOP) Date-Time-Group: A. Request AMBULANCE/HELICOPTER: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B. Requesting Contingent/Unit: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C. Location of patient(s) in AMR or description: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D. Degree of URGENCY: (immediate, delayed, not urgent) . . . . . . . . . . . . E. Time of Injury/Accident: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F. Number of persons to be evacuated: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G. Type of casualty : ( death, injury, illness): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H. Description of injuries (diagnosis) Patient 1:______________________________________ Patient 2:______________________________________ I. CASEVAC/EMERGENCY TEAM is/is not required: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. Area and marking of LZ: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K. Additional information sent with patient/ or ASAP by radio: . . . . . . . . . Additional information: Rank_____________ Name_________________________Sex:____ID_____ NO.______ Unit _____________ Nationality ______________Date of Birth ___________ Blood group________________ Short medical history to follow YES/NO ______________________________ Any known allergies______________________________________________ The patient was evacuated form accident site at time_____________________ Note: Record time of all medical treatment provided on site (drugs, fluids, tourniquet, dressing, splinting, catheters etc.) STAY ON STAND-BY, CONTINUE FIRST AID PREPARE G.P.S. CO-ORDINATES/PATIENTS LOCATION Sample Medevac Request Message To Send: MEDEVAC - MEDEVAC - MEDEVAC (same form as per CASEVAC )

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Immediately following the receipt of information concerning a casualty, mission headquarters must inform United Nations Headquarter by a preliminary cable which shall include all relevant details available at the time of dispatch. In the case of the death the unit concerned shall advise its national headquarters to inform the next of kin and to notify mission headquarters immediately when that has been done. No mention of the deceased's name shall be made in any public statement before such notification has been received. Following the dispatch of the preliminary information to United Nations Headquarters, a notification of Casualty (NOTICE) shall be prepared by the Chief Military Personnel Officer (CMPO) of the mission as follows: a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. I. j. k. l. m. n. o. p. NOTICE number Name of mission Service Number United Nations ID card number and date of birth Rank Last name and (in brackets)first and middle name Sex Nationality Next of kin ( name, address and relationship) Category ( e.g., contingent number, MILOB, etc.) On duty at the time of the occurrence (yes or not) Date of occurrence (day, month, year) Time (local time) Place Type of casualty ( death, injury or illness) Cause of casualty.

The NOTICE shall be prepared in the name of the DOA/CAO and dispatched to: UN HQ Director of FALD. (Tel: ___________) (Fax:_______________) The DOA/CAO is responsible for notifying United Nations Headquarters immediately in case of the death, serious injury or illness of internationallyor locally-recruited civilian staff members following the NOTICE procedure described above.

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The military observer must be aware that differing ethnic cultures have different attitudes and requirements about food preparation and handling, and some ethnic cultures expressly forbid consumption of alcohol. Some general rules are: Avoid local liquors and excessive consumption of alcohol; Spicy and highly-seasoned foods should be consumed only in moderation until you are confident of your digestive tolerances; Raw vegetables, salads, cold sauces (gravies), and dairy products should be avoided unless their source or origin can be verified; Fresh fruits should be avoided unless the outer skin is unbroken, and which can be removed prior to consumption; Use only canned or boiled milk, and similarly, ensure water purification tablets are used, or water is boiled prior to consumption. Water should be kept at the boiling temperature for at least ten minutes; Well-cooked foods are normally safe to eat, but let your common-sense be the guide.

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AIDS, the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, is the late stage of infection caused by a virus, the Human Immundeficiency Virus. The vast majority of all HIV infections are caused by having sexual intercourse with someone who is already infected with HIV. HIV can also be transmitted by infected blood or blood products (as in blood transfusions), by the sharing of contaminated needles for injecting drugs or for tattooing, and from an infected woman to her baby before the birth, during delivery or through breast-feeding. It is not spread through ordinary (non-sexual) social contact. As a member of a Military Observer Mission or as a member of a Peacekeeping Force, you need to know that you have a greater chance of being infected with HIV than a civilian in you own country. Research has shown that military personnel, when they are posted away from home, are likely to have more sex patners than usual. Also, some peace-keeping operations in foreign countries are in areas where AIDS is already a common problem. Sex with a number of different partners, with prostitutes, people who inject drugs and men who have sex with men increase the chances of being exposed to HIV. Therefore, when you are being deployed on an Observer or Peace-keeping Mission, you must be aware of these facts about HIV and AIDS, be on guard against the threat of AIDS and be sure that you protect yourself against HIV/AIDS.6 8.7 STRESS Military Observers as well as other peace-keepers are frequently confronted with an inordinate amount of stressful situations that are potentially harmful if not manages properly. Therefore, it is important to understand the variety of circumstances and experiences that produce stress in peace-keeping personnel. Knowing what can be expected (the nature of the mission, lenght of deployment, living and working conditions, channels open for communications with loved ones, etc) can greatly reduce the physical and emotional demands that contribute to stress, even in the pre-deployment stage. Military observers should obtain relevant information before deployment. This enables the observer to focus on realities and to better cope with actual issues in his/her assignment to a UN mission.

Source: United Nations; Protect yourself against HIV/AIDS - UN/210/TH/HA95)

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1. A witness to the accident of a UN person should assess whether: (A) The accident is minor or serious enough for a written report; (B) The person is conscious and would like to be helped; (C) The person can breathe properly, whether he is conscious, bleeding, and has a pulse.

2. In giving help to an unconscious UN troop member, you should: (A) Avoid unnecessary movement of the patient and keep people at a distance; (B) Turn patient on the uninjured side and clear air passages; (C) Give the patient fluids.

3. Respiratory arrest can be caused by: (A) Walking for too long a period of time during foot patrol; (B) Intoxication or sleeping on ones stomach; (C) Airway obstruction, cardiac arrest, electric shock, head injury, chest injury, internal bleeding and shock, intoxication, or severe illness.

4. A person who is unconscious, has no pulse and no breathing may have cardiac arrest. (A) True; (B) False.

5. Swelling and pain on body parts with soft tissue, or on chest or abdomen may be indications of internal bleeding. (A) True; (B) False.

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6. A persons body can go into shock from loss of blood, severe dehydration, or heat stroke. (A) True; (B) False. 7. The symptoms of heat exposure and heat exhaustion include: (A) Thirst, vomiting, muscle cramps, headache, hot red skin, confusion, rapid pulse, and possibly unconsciousness; (B) Thirst, headache, red skin rash, and high energy; (C) Fever, red skin rash, thirst, and a tendency to fall asleep. 8. To treat burns: (A) Clean the area with cold water, then apply cream; (B) Break blisters and cover with clean, dry cloth; (C) Cool the burn with cold water for 15 minutes then apply clean dressings, soaked with clean water, then transport person to hospital. 9. Scorpion bites are more painful and more dangerous than snake bites thereby requiring immediate MEDEVAC attention. (A) True; (B) False. 10. In countries with very different food habits than yours, well-cooked foods are normally safe to eat, though common-sense must prevail. (A) True; (B) False. LESSON 8 END OF LESSON QUIZ ANSWER KEY 1C 2B 3C 4A 5A 6A 7A 8C 9B 10A

LESSON 9 DRIVING
9.1 Permits and Responsibilities 9.2 Winter Driving 9.3 Desert Driving

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Learning Objectives for Lesson 9: Driving


Being a UN military observer requires particular driving skills. Lesson 9 discusses specifics of what is required of a UN driver, and the special terrain and weather conditions that he/she may meet in unusual climates. By the end of Lesson 9, the student should be able to meet the following objectives: Outline the procedure by which a UN drivers licence is obtained and know what tests have to be passed in order to obtain such a licence; Describe special road conditions that may be encountered such as ice, rain, snow, fog, hail, and winter sun, and how to drive under those conditions; State the unique procedures required for desert driving.

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The United Nations operates a fleet of several thousands vehicles in areas where the infrastructure is badly destroyed and/or sometimes almost non-existent. Many of those vehicles are in such conditions that they either require an overhaul maintenance or should be taken off the road. In addition, several official reports state that bad driving has caused the biggest number of casualties in peace-keeping operations-- mostly depending on untrained drivers. Consequently, the United Nations has requested the troop-contributing countries to carefully train and test officers and others designated for driving duties in a peace-keeping operation.

9.1 PERMITS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A UN drivers permit is required to drive a United Nations owned vehicle. A UN drivers permit is obtained on the basis of an International Drivers license after having passed a special UN drivers test. All military observers are required to drive UN vehicles in performing their duties. Drivers Responsibility Besides driving the vehicle in a secure and safe manner, the driver has special responsibilities toward the United Nations. The driver of any UN vehicle is responsible for: Carrying out the first parade service on his vehicle in accordance with special instruction; Ensuring that the vehicle documentation is complete and that his or her journey is properly authorized; Ensuring that the vehicle load and equipment is complete and secure; Reporting any defects or damage to the MTO; Arranging vehicle servicing and repair as required; Arranging the issue of fuel, lubricants and vehicle consumables; Adherence to all local traffic regulations and Directives issued by the Administration of the mission.

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Reports and Returns Communications State, Information Technologic State and Vehicle State are reports that contain details of equipment held. These reports are normally done on a monthly basis. See SOP for date of submission. The Vehicle Trip Ticket is normally filled in on a daily basis. Safety United Nations Military Observers should bear in mind that by far the biggest number of casualties in UN operations are caused by traffic accidents or driving under off-road conditions. The traffic pattern, the roads and the terrain are very often different than the conditions military observers are used to in their home country. This calls for extra caution.

9.2 WINTER DRIVING

Rain, ice and snow impose the most difficult driving conditions on all drivers. Your vehicle needs to be properly prepared. Following are hints to make driving safer during the winter. All lights should be clean and working; Screen washers and wipers need to work effectively and the washer bottle should be full. Some anti-freeze agent should be added to the water; Anti-freeze should be in the radiator; Windows should be clean inside and out and free from ice and snow; Mirrors should be completely clean; Tires should be inflated to the right pressure, with plenty of tread; The battery should be fully charged and topped up; Diesel engine vehicles should be filled with winter grade fuel; Check the weather forecast before you go - and be prepared.

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On the road, speed is a crucial factor in difficult weather conditions, and should always be lower than when the weather is fine. In winter conditions always keep a safe distance behind other vehicles and keep a closer watch than usual on other cars, motor cyclists and cyclists in case they suddenly run into difficulty. A good driver always bears in mind the particular characteristics of different weather conditions. One of the most potentially dangerous conditions that drivers face is icy roads. To remain in control, it is essential to do everything more carefully than normal. Slow down as soon as you are aware of ice, steer gently avoiding harsh turns. Stay in the highest gear you can, and if you have to brake, use short, even applications, not heavy sustained pressure. Rain Rain makes roads perilous at any time of year, but in winter it usually means much worse visibility-- particularly when there is heavy spray from other vehicles. Thus, switch on dipped headlights to see and be seen. Slow down and watch for large pools of water in heavy storms. Hitting these at high speed can cause even the most experienced drivers to lose control. At night, rain worsens the glare from headlights so it is vital to keep the speed down in such conditions. When street lighting is good use dim headlights to reduce the glare all round, but use normal headlights if you need to see the road. Stopping distances are much greater on wet roads so allow plenty of room between yourself and the vehicle in front. Snow One of the main problems of driving in falling snow is poor visibility so always switch on your lights. The other major problem is lack of adhesion to the road surface which can happen even on treated roads until the snow has melted. So drive slowly on snow in the highest gear possible at that speed and, as with ice, manoeuvre gently and avoid harsh braking. Passing other cars requires much more care than usual. If you pass salt-spreading trucks or snowploughs, the road ahead will probably be untreated and still treacherous. Children might be out playing in towns and villages so watch out for them. Getting caught in severe snow conditions can be both uncomfortable and dangerous. If you must drive in snow conditions, take hot drinks, food, warm clothing or blankets and a shovel with you if severe weather conditions are forecast. Note that if you need to get out of your car, wearing a fluorescent band will make you more visible. Ice

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Fog In winter bad visibility frequently goes hand in hand with icy roads when freezing fog occurs. Under these conditions, speeds should be absolutely minimal. Dipped headlights should be turned on as soon as you run into fog. Turn your rear fog lamps on if the visibility is less than 100 metres. Hail Hail usually occurs unexpectedly and can be almost blinding for drivers. But it does not usually last long so slow down to a safe speed, turn dipped headlights on and if you can safely do so, pull off the road until the storm blows over. For some time after a hailstorm the road will be slushy so still drive slowly and gently. Winter Sun Dazzle from the winter sun is an underestimated hazard. The winter sun is lower in the sky so reduce speed and use your visor to lessen the dazzle effect.

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Sand storm Sand storms very often occur suddenly. If there are animals in the area (goats or camels) some warning signs may be observed in advance. Before a sandstorm, animals start fleeing in a direction away from the storm. You may continue driving in a light sandstorm provided you observe the same rules listed for fog conditions. If the flying sand is dense, the engine of the vehicle should be stopped to avoid sand in the filters and an engine break-down. Take the necessary precautions to warn other travelers of the stationary vehicle. Sand Dunes Sand Dunes across the road/tracks could be dealt with in the following manner: Speed up the vehicle to a speed high enough to cross the dune (but not much more). Keep a straight line while passing through the loose sand. Keep the front wheels in a straight forward position (do not attempt to turn). Keep a constant speed until you are on firm surface again. Getting stuck in sand When stuck in the sand, you should try to get out in the same tracks as you got in. If you are so firmly stuck that further assistance is required you should: Lift the vehicle using the jack close to the wheel stuck. The jack should be placed on a piece of wood big enough to create a firm basis for the jack; Shovel the loose sand away from under the wheel; Put sandbags (filled 1/3rd with sand) under the wheel to create a firm track; Reverse slowly.

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1. All military observers are required to drive UN vehicles as part of performing their duties. (A) True; (B) False.

2. In order to drive a vehicle owned by the UN during a mission, a military observer must: (A) Have a drivers licence of from his own nation, that entitles him to a UN drivers permit; (B) Pass a special international drivers test that examines the ability to drive vehicles of different sizes and varieties; (C) Pass a special UN drivers test that provides him with an International Drivers Licence and a UN drivers permit.

3. The driver of any UN vehicle is responsible for: (A) Ensuring that the contents of a vehicle are secure and that it is cared for properly; (B) Driving the vehicle safely but leaving its care in the hands of the maintenance unit; (C) Signing the vehicle in and out on a daily basis, before and after use.

4. UN military observers are not required to observe local traffic regulations and directives while driving a UN vehicle. (A) True; (B) False.

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5. The Vehicle Trip Ticket is a report sheet detailing the use of a UN vehicle and is normally filled out: (A) Each time a vehicle is used; (B) Weekly; (C) Daily.

6. UN military observers should bear in mind that by far the biggest number of casualties in UN operations are caused by: (A) Sniper fire; (B) Hidden mines and explosives; (C) Traffic accidents or driving under off-road conditions.

7. During the winter, driving is more hazardous so the UN driver should: (A) Drive more slowly and keep a safe distance behind other vehicles; (B) Keep extra blankets in the vehicle in case the heating breaks down and distracts him; (C) Keep a safe distance behind other vehicles.

8. To drive safely when roads are icy, the UN observer must: (A) Steer firmly and keep headlights on high to observe icy areas; (B) Drive slowly, steer gently, keep in the highest gear possible, and avoid braking, but if necessary, brake in short applications only; (C) Drive as slowly as possible.

9. When driving in rain, especially during winter months, a UN driver should keep in mind that: (A) Rain lowers visibility, large pools of water can make the driver lose control, and more distance is needed in order to reach a complete stop; (B) Heavy spray from other vehicles can flood the motor of a jeep; (C) Rain worsens the glare from headlights which can raise anxiety levels so high as to create light-headness and loss of consciousness.

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10. UN drivers should remember that the winter sun is lower in the sky and thus its reflection is an underestimated hazard. (A) True; (B) False. 11. Driving in a light sandstorm creates approximately the same driving conditions as driving in fog. (A) True; (B) False.

12. If you find yourself driving during a heavy sandstorm in desert locations, you should stop driving because: (A) Visibility is extremely low; (B) Sand on the roads can be slippery and cause an accident; (C) Sand can enter the engine's filters and cause an engine break down.

13. Sand dunes are firmly packed so that a vehicle cannot get stuck in a sand dune. (A) True; (B) False.

LESSON 9 END-OF-LESSON QUIZ ANSWER KEY 1A 2C 3B 4B 5C 6C 7A 8B 9A 10A 11A 12C 13B

End-of Course Examination

The End-of-Course examination questions cover the material in all the Lessons in this UNITAR Course. Read each question carefully and indicate your answers on the Examination Answer Sheet.

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING OUT THE ANSWER SHEET


The End-Of-Course Examination Answer Sheet is designed to:
1. Formally record your answers for the questions on the Final Examination. 2. Please return the Answer Sheet to UNITAR's Program of Correspondence Instruction for review and grading.

Format of Questions
There are 50 Exam Questions. The Answer Sheet has numbered blocks and each block corresponds to a similarly numbered question on the End-of-Course Examination. First, read a question through carefully. Then, mark your answer on the Answer Sheet whose number corresponds to the number of the exam question. Throughout the exam, check that the question number and answer sheet number are the same. Exam questions generally give you a choice of answers, marked as A, B, C, or D. Or, they may be true or false questions that give you two choices, A or B. Choose only the response you believe is the most correct one and mark your choice (only one) on your answer sheet. If you mark more than one answer for a question, it will be graded as incorrect. Depending on the type of question, the following responses are appropriate for the End-Of-Course Examination Answer Sheet: True/False questions: Multiple-choice questions: A=True B=False A, B, C, or D

Use a Dark Pencil

Mark your responses on the Answer Sheet using a dark lead pencil.

Because your enrollment in the course is valid for one year only, the Examination must be submitted before your enrollment expires. A score of 75% is the minimum score required for a passing grade. If your score is less than 75%, you will be sent a letter outlining your weak areas and suggesting specific lessons of your course that require further study. At that time, you will be provided with an alternate version of the End-Of-Course Examination, which you may complete when you feel you are ready. If you pass the second version of the exam, a grade report and a Certificate of Completion will be sent to you. If you fail the second time, you will be informed and disenrolled from the course.

Time Limit to Complete Exam

Passing Grade

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UNITED NATIONS MILITARY OBSERVERS FINAL EXAMINATION

1. Chapter VIII of the Charter encourages: (A) The appointment of a mediator by the Secretary General to negotiate a peaceful settlement for a local dispute; (B) The Security Council to send military observers to assess a regional dispute in terms of its international implications; (C) That an attempt to enact regional arrangements for a peaceful settlement of local disputes be made before the dispute is referred to the Security Council. 2. In peace-keeping terms, sanctions are: (A) A means to punish any nation that is a threat to international peace or security; (B) An option that the Secretary General can use to enforce a treaty negotiated by military observers; (C) Measures that do not involve the use of armed force, taken in order to coerce an aggressive nation to return to peaceful activity, as defined by the UN. 3. Visibility refers to the operational tactic of: (A) Making troops visible by wearing distinctive, easily recognized United Nations headgear, badges, signs, and insignia; (B) Making the arms of UN troops visible so that weapons are held or worn in full view; (C) Marking the vehicles of UN forces in theatre clearly so that they do not become targets of the parties in conflict. 4. Border monitors perform the function of monitoring: (A) Borders; (B) The passage of authorized persons across sensitive points along an internationally recognized border; (C) Borders and any embargo imposed by the UN along parts of an internationally recognized border.

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5. The Security Council has the following number of members: (A) Five permanent members; (B) Five permanent and 10 elected by the General Assembly for two years; (C) Ten permanent members, five from the superpowers, and five from the other major continents.

6. A military observer must be able to speak the following languages: (A) The language selected as the official language of the mission; (B) English as well as the language selected as the official language of the mission; (C) The language selected as the official language of the mission as well as one other international language recognized as such by the UN.

7. Because patrols can last several days during which local facilities will have to be used, the observer must: (A) Be in excellent health, free of cardiac and foot problems; (B) Be in excellent health, free of allergies and cardiac, foot, digestive problems; (C) Possess excellent physical stamina and lack cardiac problems.

8. An officer serving as a military observer serves the UN but also represents his own country and should reflect this in his behaviour. (A) True; (B) False.

9. It is especially important to allow all participants to Keep Face (the personal perception of respect) during: (A) The duration of a military observers tour of duty; (B) An attack on a UN post; (C) Negotiations.

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10. Which of the following tasks is not undertaken by the military observer: (A) Reporting allegations of human rights abuses and counting election votes; (B) Supervising the destruction of armaments and weapons, assisting in a referendum, or validating an election; (C) Monitoring cease-fires and taking referendum of political leanings among UN troops. 11. In terms of reports, the observer must be able to produce: (A) Accurate notes and observations, from which the force commander compiles the actual report; (B) Accurate and verifiable sketches and notes, from which he or she can submit observational reports; (C) Generalized notes, from which a specific report is written. 12. Before giving a formal interview, military observers should obtain permission from the Chief Military Personnel Officer. (A) True; (B) False. 13. When planning a negotiation meeting, the military observer should aim to deal with the following issues: (A) Identify areas of dispute and who is to blame for them, and pressure those at fault to give in to others needs; (B) Downplay differences between the parties in conflict and cajole them into agreeing to joint social events that will reduce tensions between them; (C) Identify areas of dispute, prevent escalation of conflicts, downscale perception of differences, resolve disputes, agree on preventive action to prevent recurrence. 14. In planning for the negotiation to take place, the military observer should consider: (A) What are the problems, what are the points of view of each party in conflict, and how can the UN appear to give in to each point of view and yet reach a settlement; (B) What are the problems, what is the UN point of view, and how can the UN point of view be maintained without compromise; (C) What are the problems and how have they been dealt with before, what is the history, what is the UN conclusion, what are all the options?

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15. When the main discussion in a negotiation meeting begins, the military observer should, when possible: (A) Be the first speaker, in order to let the counterpart know where the UN stands on all major issues; (B) Decline to be the major speaker at any point in the meeting, in order to allow the counterpart to present his case; (C) Allow the counterpart to speak first while he listens patiently without interrupting, and agrees with major points. 16. If someone says something negative about the UN or a party in conflict during a negotiation, the UN observer should react by: (A) Displaying restraint, making no negative response in reply, but instead, carefully reminding those present about existing agreements and arrangements, as a positive counterbalance; (B) Protesting firmly and indicating that the negotiation can only be made more difficult by such statements; (C) Ignoring such remarks because they occur naturally when people are in a situation of high tension and pressure, such as a negotiation. 17. The techniques of negotiation and mediation are the same except that: (A) In negotiation, the UN representative can take a more assertive position than during mediation; (B) In mediation, the parties in conflict can challenge each other and enlist the vote of the UN observer for their point of view; (C) In mediation, representatives of opposing sides are present at the same time. 18. An official UN letter used during peace-keeping operations always contains: (A) A security classification; (B) Coded language to ensure security; (C) No references in relation to security.

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19. The Daily Situations Report (SITREP) should summarize: (A) New political or military developments, and major casualties or developments that could affect the safety of UN personnel; (B) Any new political, military, or humanitarian developments as well as any major causalities or developments that could affect the safety of UN personnel; (C) New military developments by the parties in conflict that could affect the safety of UN personnel. 20. In terms of movement and roads, the daily SITREP report should note: (A) Roadblocks created by the parties in conflict and how the roadblock was dismantled; (B) All barricades-- how they came about, and how they restrict movement; (C) Any natural or man-made blocking of routes and what was responsible, and which routes are open or closed. 21. In describing casualties in the daily SITREP report, it should: (A) Outline civilian and UN troop deaths and injuries and whether the cause of death was the result of hostile action, accident, or natural causes; (B) Describe casualties of UN troops only, giving details of how the person met death, and how the situation was handled; (C) Separate military, civilian police, and civilian deaths and list whether the cause of death was from hostile action, accident, or natural causes. 22. In regard to use of dates, the Report Writing Style Guide suggests that: (A) The words today and yesterday may be used in a report as long as that days date is clearly indicated nearby; (B) Use actual dates instead of the words today or yesterday as a way of avoiding confusion; (C) Use of words like today and yesterday are unnecessary because a report only covers that days activities. 23. An Aircraft activity report (AIRREP) describes the flight and/or the attack by one or several aircraft. (A) True; (B) False.

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24. If the message Fetch is heard over a radio transmission, it means: (A) Supply items are needed by a particular unit, to be described in the message that follows; (B) That the caller wishes to speak to someone whose name and title will follow; (C) The broadcast that follows is privileged information to be kept secret. 25. In terms on signal security for radio broadcasts on a UN peace-keeping mission: (A) Signal security should always be used by the Force and its contingents; (B) Use of signal security is optional for all transmissions; (C) Signal security is not very important except for special reports related to political judgements and assessments. 26. A formal message transmitted as a broadcast over UN communications systems must include: (A) The commanding officers full name and rank, completely spelled out; (B) A security classification for the message as either unclassified, restricted, confidential, or secret; (C) A security classification for the message as either confidential or secret. 27. Because parties in conflict can technically monitor UN radio broadcasts if they wish to, reports should be stated in such a way that information cannot be useful to them. (A) True; (B) False. 28. Because it tends to be the language most nations have in common, personnel operating UN communications must have a good command of spoken English and radio voice procedures. (A) True; (B) False.

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29. Because it can become a threat to security, UN military observers should not: (A) Speak to any local person unless their affiliation to a party in conflict is identified in advance; (B) Set up meetings with local persons unless it is in a UN military installation; (C) Photograph military installations, equipment, personnel or any other sensitive area or object.

30. In the event of a hijack, the hijackers should be told that they have taken unarmed military observers who: (A) Are valuable to the peace-keeping effort and the United Nations will pay any reasonable amount in exchange for their lives; (B) Are in their country in the service of peace and who have no malice toward them; (C) Can take them to international court at a later date and charge them with political abduction.

31. UN peacekeepers should expect to find hidden mines in places such as: (A) Edges, bottlenecks, or forks in roads, diversions created around road obstacles, and in damaged roads; (B) Around abandoned equipment, at edges of roads, and hidden in homes of enemy sympathizers; (C) In exits leading from roads, edges along roads, and at meeting places with the leaders of the parties in conflict.

32. When in an area where sniper fire is possible at any and all times, military observers should not: (A) Stand by windows, leave curtains open at night, or remain stationary in a vehicle any longer than necessary during patrol; (B) Stand by windows or carry bright-coloured objects that would attract attention; (C) Remain stationary in a vehicle any longer than necessary while on patrol or walk in pairs or groups outdoors.

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33. If HQ receives notification that radio contact has been lost with a patrol unit, the commanding officer should: (A) Immediately send out armed search patrols to find the missing unit; (B) Contact UN units, local authorities, and armed elements in the area and arrange for search patrol; (C) Contact UN HQ in New York in order to warn them of a possible international incident. 34. The publication Notes for the Guidance of Military Observers on Appointment that is handed out before a mission gives: (A) A detailed history and summary of the background of the dispute at the mission site; (B) Administrative, mission, and logistic information required by UN military observers for that particular mission; (C) The mandate of the mission as well as the rules and regulations with which peacekeepers must comply as UN personnel. 35. The UN provides each peacekeeper with a definition of a military observer, his conduct and performance, privileges and immunities, and financial responsibilities: (A) True; (B) False. 36. Before his departure on the mission, the UN military observer signs an agreement with the UN that lists both his responsibilities and his privileges as a UN peacekeeper: (A) True; (B) False. 37. Logistical command and control is carried out as: (A) An independent responsibility of the contributing nation; (B) A cooperative effort between the Field Administration and Logistic Division of the UN Department of Peace-keeping Operations, and the nation contributing forces; (C) Is carried out by the Field Administration and Logistic Division of the UN Department of Peace-keeping Operations.

End-of-Course Examination 38. The Chief Administrative Office (CAO) reports directly to the Head of Mission: (A) True; (B) False. 39. In the event that a person on a UN mission has an accident, those nearby should: (A) Bring the person to a safe place, and give the necessary care; (B) Do not move the person, but call for medical help; (C) Make the person as comfortable as possible and call for medical help. 40. A special risk while attending an unconscious person is vomiting and air passage obstruction, as well as respiratory arrest: (A) True; (B) False.

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41. In order to help a person who has stopped breathing due to respiratory failure, you can: (A) Press the persons chest and loosen their clothing; (B) Elevate the jaw, clear air passages, blow into mouth or nose to inflate the persons lungs, listen for breath, and repeat; (C) Clear the air passages and wait for medical help. 42. To treat an external wound that is bleeding, you should: (A) Apply a tourniquet if the wound is deeper than a quarter inch; (B) Cover the wound with something clean and call for help; (C) Elevate the wounded body part and apply a compression. 43. Symptoms of a body physically in shock include: (A) Pale, cool, moist skin, dizziness, and a skin rash; (B) A high temperature and irregular breathing; (C) Dizziness, confusion, restlessness, and combativeness. 44. To prevent heat exposure and heat exhaustion: (A) Stay in shaded areas, avoid heavy physical work when it is hot, drink liquids regularly, and if movement is necessary, rest often; (B) Stay in shaded areas, take salt tablets, and cover all body parts when working outdoors in the sun; (C) Use extra salt at meals in hot climates and drink extra liquids.

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45. To avoid being bitten by a snake, the UN observer should: (A) When possible, use a vehicle rather than walk; (B) Protect legs with boots and trousers, avoid sleeping on the floor, and shake clothes, boots and sleeping bag before use; (C) Watch where you step and spray trousers with a repellant. 46. As a UN military observer, while driving a UN vehicle the observer is not required to observe local traffic regulations and directives: (A) True; (B) False. 47. UN military observers should bear in mind that by far the biggest number of casualties in UN operations are caused by: (A) Sniper fire; (B) Hidden mines and explosives; (C) Traffic accidents or driving under off-road conditions. 48. To drive safely when roads are icy or slippery, the UN observer must: (A) Steer firmly and drive in the lowest gear possible; (B) Drive slowly, steer gently, keep in the highest gear possible, and avoid braking, but if necessary, brake in short applications only; (C) Drive as slowly as possible. 49. UN drivers should remember that glare from the winter sun is an underestimated hazard: (A) True; (B) False. 50. If you find yourself driving during a sandstorm in desert locations, you should stop driving because: (A) Visibility is extremely low; (B) Sand on the roads can be slippery and cause an accident; (C) Sand can enter the engines filters and cause an engine break down.

END OF EXAMINATION

PLEASE IMMEDIATELY MAIL IN YOUR ANSWER SHEET:

You are advised to double-check that you have properly filled out the End-of-Course Examination Answer Sheet; Please see the Answer Sheet for submission instructions.

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ABOUT THE COURSE DESIGNER


Christian Hrleman was commissioned in 1964 as an officer of the Royal Life Guard in Sweden. He was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1981 and retired from the Army in 1989. He is a graduate of the Swedish Military Staff College, holds degrees in International Relations and in Humanitarian Law from Stockholm University and in Emergency Management from the University of Wisconsin. He is an adjunct faculty member of the Lester B. Pearson Canadian International Peace-keeping Training Center and a member of the Academic Council on the United Nations. Lt. Col. Hrleman is presently serving as an international consultant in the fields of peace, security and development in Latin America, Central Europe and Africa in general and as an Adviser to the Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Affairs in the development of the Guatemalan Institute for Peace and Development (GIPD) in particular. He has recently served in similar capacity as an Adviser to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the establishment of an Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development (EIIPD). In the fall of 1996, Lt. Col. Hrleman was the Head of the Swedish Electoral Assistant Team in Boznia and Herzegovinia. He has also served as Senior Training Adviser and Chief of the Training Unit in the Department of Peace-keeping Operations, United Nations, New York, the first such programme in the United Nations Secretariat. During this period he developed and implemented the training policy, the training programmes which included training on policy, training material, and international seminars and workshops for a core group of international peace-keeping trainers (United Nations Training Assistance Teams-UNTAT), et. al. At the request of the Swedish Government, Col. Hrleman has also served in New York, first in his capacity as Director of Peace-keeping Training Programmes at the International Peace Academy; subsequently, he organized the Training Programmes for Peace-keeping, Peace-making and Election Assistance for the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR-NY) for Permanent Missions and personnel in the United Nations system. As Executive Producer, he also developed a series of six videos and guides for UNITAR, dealing with peace-keeping in general, training for peace-keeping and elections. His functions in the areas of humanitarian development have included acting as a Consultant to various international organizations regarding emergency situations in Latin America and Africa, in general; and in the emergency situation in Eritrea and Tigray (1984-1989), in particular. Lt. Col. Hrleman has also participated in and conducted a large number of international seminars in Africa, Europe, Latin America and Asia regarding conflict management, humanitarian assistance, elections as well as other activities related to peace and security.
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