Posted on 10/28/2006 3:25:38 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
MOSCOW, October 27 (Itar-Tass) - Russia holds only the 40th place by the numerical strength of the military contingents, which take part in U.N. peacekeeping operations, Deputy Prime Minister, Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov said during a “government hour” meeting at the Federation Council on Friday.
“In mid-90s some 2,000 Russians on the average took part annually in U.N. peacekeeping operations, while now, during the past four years, the figure was reduced to 120 men a year. As a result of it, Russia now is only the 40th on the list of 108 countries, which send their specialists for taking part in peacekeeping operations under the U.N. aegis. There is every reason to describe such a low representation of our country as insufficient,” Ivanov said.
According to Ivanov, peacekeeping activities, along with foreign political results, bring real economic dividends to Russia. “I would not like to turn into an accountant, but I should remind in this connection that the amount of the compensation, paid to Russia for the participation of our military contingents in the peacekeeping operation in the former Yugoslavia and in the U.N. Mission in Angola from 1992 to 1998 amounted to 93 million dollars. The U.N. transferred some 13,800,000 dollars to Russia for its participation in the peacekeeping operation in Sierra Leone,” Ivanov said.
At the same time, he continued, Russia holds one of the first places in the world by the number of military observers in U.N. and OSCE missions.
At present “some 100 Russian officers work as military observers in 11 U.N. missions and two OSCE missions. Some 70 Interior Ministry officers work in seven U.N. missions.”
According to Ivanov, “Russia is working for stepping up peacekeeping efforts,” with due account for political, diplomatic, economic and military considerations. In his opinion, Russia is quite capable of doing that. “For instance, under the Memorandum of Understanding on Russia’s contribution to the U.N. system of Reserve Agreements, our country has confirmed already its willingness to put at the U.N. disposal within 90 days four Mi-24 combat helicopters, as well as Mi-8 MT transport-combat helicopters with ground-support facilities, an engineering company, which is fully ready for action, and a military hospital. Our military doctors are in high demand,” Ivanov said.
Because the opportunity to spy is irresistible.
I won't hold my breath waiting for Russia to contribute any meaningful troops in the worlds trouble spots. There are many trouble spots where Russia could provide much needed troops to prove their willingness to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
I should add that Clinton didn't encourage Rusia to become part of the solution when he bombed the wrong side in the Balkans against strong objections from Russia, who happened to be right in that instance. They knew what the muzzies were up to, Clinton didn't. Of course that wasn;t the only thing Clinton did to make Russia distance themselves from any joint military ventures.
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