Canadian Involvement in Canadian Involvement in International ConflictsInternational Conflicts

- Peacekeeping & Beyond -- Peacekeeping & Beyond -

New World OrderNew World Order End of Cold War did not End of Cold War did not

bring peace to the world - bring peace to the world - numerous regional conflicts numerous regional conflicts and ethnic rivalries, such and ethnic rivalries, such as:as:• Gulf War – Iraqi invasion of Gulf War – Iraqi invasion of

Kuwait (1991) Former Kuwait (1991) Former Yugoslavia (1991-1999)Yugoslavia (1991-1999)

• Somalia (1992)Somalia (1992)• Rwanda (1994)Rwanda (1994)• Afghanistan (2001-present)Afghanistan (2001-present)• US invasion of Iraq (2003-US invasion of Iraq (2003-

present)present)

UN PeacekeepingUN Peacekeeping The UN has helped millions The UN has helped millions

of people worldwide through of people worldwide through peacekeeping operations, peacekeeping operations, and its social and economic and its social and economic agencies.agencies.

Canada has been a strong Canada has been a strong supporter of the UN; by 1999 supporter of the UN; by 1999 Canadian peacekeepers had Canadian peacekeepers had been involved in every UN been involved in every UN operation since the start of operation since the start of these missions in 1956.these missions in 1956.

Peacekeeping – cont’Peacekeeping – cont’ 1st time 1st time

“peacekeeping” used “peacekeeping” used – in Suez Crisis of – in Suez Crisis of 19561956• Lester B. Pearson’s Lester B. Pearson’s

suggestion – won suggestion – won Nobel Peace Prize for Nobel Peace Prize for this in 1957this in 1957

Initially developed as Initially developed as a means to resolve a means to resolve conflict conflict between between statesstates

Peacekeeping – cont’Peacekeeping – cont’ Achieved by deploying Achieved by deploying

unarmed or lightly armed unarmed or lightly armed military personnel from a military personnel from a number of countries between number of countries between the armed forces of the states the armed forces of the states that were formerly at warthat were formerly at war

In these circumstances – In these circumstances – ceasefire in place and parties ceasefire in place and parties involved agreed to allow UN involved agreed to allow UN forces to be presentforces to be present

Peacekeepers NOT part of the Peacekeepers NOT part of the conflict – they observed the conflict – they observed the ceasefireceasefire

Peacekeeping – Peacekeeping – cont’cont’

With end of Cold war -With end of Cold war -dramatic shift in role of dramatic shift in role of UN peacekeepersUN peacekeepers

a)a) More MissionsMore Missionsb)b) Peacekeeping Peacekeeping WITHIN WITHIN

statesstates Often in civil war Often in civil war

situationssituations Without borders - Without borders -

often no clear area often no clear area of conflict – fighting of conflict – fighting spread out spread out throughout country’s throughout country’s territoryterritory

Cyprus – UN buffer Zone in Blue

Peacekeeping cont’Peacekeeping cont’

c)c) More ActorsMore Actors Now other Now other

organizations such as organizations such as NATO have become NATO have become involvedinvolved

d)d) Peace “Making”Peace “Making” Peacekeeping no Peacekeeping no

longer simply standing longer simply standing between 2 armies to between 2 armies to keep the peacekeep the peace

Increasingly a matter of Increasingly a matter of creatingcreating a peace where a peace where none exists none exists

UN - Africa UN - Africa MissionsMissions

Adobe Acrobat Required !

UN peacekeeping missions

UN peacemaking or peace-building in Africa

 

 

Peacekeeping cont’Peacekeeping cont’

Modern peacekeeping involves:Modern peacekeeping involves: Training and restructuring local Training and restructuring local

police forcespolice forces De-miningDe-mining Conducting electionsConducting elections Facilitating the return of refugeesFacilitating the return of refugees Monitoring human rightsMonitoring human rights demobilizing and reintegrating demobilizing and reintegrating

former soldiersformer soldiers Promoting sustainable Promoting sustainable

democracy and economic democracy and economic developmentdevelopment

e)e) Changing Role of PeacekeepersChanging Role of Peacekeepers

Peacekeeping Peacekeeping cont’cont’

f)f) More Diverse SkillsMore Diverse Skills In order to respond to more In order to respond to more

complex situation, complex situation, peacekeepers require a more peacekeepers require a more diverse set of skills – experts diverse set of skills – experts include:include:

• Regional & municipal Regional & municipal administratorsadministrators

• Judges and prosecutors to Judges and prosecutors to develop judiciaries or run courtsdevelop judiciaries or run courts

• Media, health, tax, and social Media, health, tax, and social policy advisorspolicy advisors

• Child protection expertsChild protection experts• Security expertsSecurity experts• Facilitators and mediatorsFacilitators and mediators• Experts to help with sewage Experts to help with sewage

treatment plants or railwaystreatment plants or railways

Peacekeeping cont’Peacekeeping cont’

Armed intervention Armed intervention with the intention of with the intention of protecting human protecting human rights within the rights within the confines of another confines of another sovereign statesovereign state

Much debate re: the Much debate re: the legality of intervening legality of intervening without consent in the without consent in the affairs of sovereign affairs of sovereign states (sovereign – states (sovereign – free from external free from external control)control)

If state sovereignty not If state sovereignty not protected – could be protected – could be seen as imperialismseen as imperialism

g)g) Humanitarian InterventionsHumanitarian Interventions

However: important not to However: important not to have human rights violations have human rights violations and crimes against humanityand crimes against humanity

Canadian Peacekeeping MissionsCanadian Peacekeeping Missions

Egypt: 1956-67; 1973-78; 1987-present Egypt: 1956-67; 1973-78; 1987-present Cyprus: 1963-92 Cyprus: 1963-92 Cambodia: 1972 Cambodia: 1972 Syria: 1978-present Syria: 1978-present Persian Gulf: 1990-91 Persian Gulf: 1990-91 Bosnia: 1991-97 Bosnia: 1991-97 Somalia: 1993-96 Somalia: 1993-96 Rwanda: 1994-95 Rwanda: 1994-95 Haiti: 1995-98; 2004 Haiti: 1995-98; 2004 East Timor: 1999-2001 East Timor: 1999-2001 Ethiopia and Eritrea: 2000-03 Ethiopia and Eritrea: 2000-03 Afghanistan: 2001-present Afghanistan: 2001-present

1991 Gulf War1991 Gulf War August, 1990 – Iraqi army August, 1990 – Iraqi army

invaded Kuwaitinvaded Kuwait with US/ UN involvement with US/ UN involvement

became “Operation Desert became “Operation Desert Storm” – Gulf WarStorm” – Gulf War

Canada cooperated with the Canada cooperated with the US in the first Gulf War US in the first Gulf War because it was a UN-because it was a UN-sanctioned missionsanctioned mission

Began when Iraq invaded Began when Iraq invaded Kuwait (a sovereign nation)Kuwait (a sovereign nation)

Canadian ships and fighter Canadian ships and fighter planes were deployed to the planes were deployed to the areaarea

Somalia - 1992Somalia - 1992

A drought-ridden A drought-ridden land, Somalia land, Somalia engaged in civil engaged in civil war, with no war, with no internationally internationally recognized recognized government, from government, from 1991 until 20051991 until 2005

thousands died thousands died from starvation from starvation and warand war

Somalia – cont’Somalia – cont’ In 1992, the United States In 1992, the United States

organized an international organized an international military force to try to end the military force to try to end the chaos - Known aschaos - Known as “Operation “Operation Restore Hope”Restore Hope”

Canada contributed 900 soldiers Canada contributed 900 soldiers from its elite Airborne Regiment. from its elite Airborne Regiment. The mission was a disaster. The mission was a disaster.

The troops were unable to The troops were unable to establish control and found establish control and found themselves fighting the very themselves fighting the very people they had been sent to people they had been sent to help. help.

Somalia – cont’Somalia – cont’ Some desperate Some desperate

Somalis started Somalis started stealing from the stealing from the soldiers' supplies. soldiers' supplies.

On March 4, 1993, On March 4, 1993, Canadian soldiers Canadian soldiers found two Somalis on found two Somalis on the grounds of their the grounds of their Belet Huen camp.Belet Huen camp.

They shot at the pair, They shot at the pair, killing one and killing one and wounding the other.wounding the other.

Somalia – 1992Somalia – 1992 A few days later, a A few days later, a

teenager was caught teenager was caught breaking into the campbreaking into the camp

Soldiers beat him to Soldiers beat him to death. death.

One of these Canadian One of these Canadian soldiers subsequently soldiers subsequently attempted suicide attempted suicide

A huge cover-up A huge cover-up occurred, stretching all occurred, stretching all the way to the top the way to the top ranks of the militaryranks of the military

Clayton Matchee with Somali teen Shidane Arone

Kyle Brown,

““Somalia Affair”Somalia Affair” The military scandal that The military scandal that

ensued, magnified by a ensued, magnified by a highly politicized and highly politicized and publicized enquiry, that publicized enquiry, that greatly damaged the greatly damaged the reputation amongst reputation amongst Canadians of their military Canadians of their military

resulted in the disbandment resulted in the disbandment of the military unit involved of the military unit involved ((Airborne Regiment)Airborne Regiment), as well , as well significant changes to the significant changes to the Canadian ForcesCanadian Forces

Ethnic CleansingEthnic Cleansing Ethnic Cleansing is a process in which the advancing Ethnic Cleansing is a process in which the advancing

army of one ethnic group expels civilians of other ethnic army of one ethnic group expels civilians of other ethnic groups from towns and villages it conquers in order to groups from towns and villages it conquers in order to create ethnically pure enclaves for members of their create ethnically pure enclaves for members of their ethnic group. ethnic group.

““In Germany they first came for the communists; and I In Germany they first came for the communists; and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist. Then they didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist. Then they

came for the Jews; and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a came for the Jews; and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists; and I didn’t Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists; and I didn’t

speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics; and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a for the Catholics; and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Catholic. Then they came for me – and by that time there Catholic. Then they came for me – and by that time there

was nobody left to speak up.” was nobody left to speak up.” – Martin Niemoller – Martin Niemoller

GenocideGenocide Genocide, as defined by the United Genocide, as defined by the United Nations in 1948, means any of the Nations in 1948, means any of the following acts committed with intent to following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, ethnic, racial or religious group, including:including:

(a) Killing members of the group (a) Killing members of the group (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to

members of the group members of the group (c) Deliberately inflicting on the group (c) Deliberately inflicting on the group

conditions of life calculated to bring about conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part its physical destruction in whole or in part

(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent (d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group births within the group

(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group (e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.to another group.

Genocide – con’tGenocide – con’t

What remains unclear What remains unclear is the question of when is the question of when institutionalized killing institutionalized killing rises to the level of rises to the level of ethnic cleansing, or ethnic cleansing, or genocide. genocide.

The answer depends The answer depends on whether events are on whether events are seen through the eyes seen through the eyes of victims or of victims or perpetrators. perpetrators.

More important is whether More important is whether the international community the international community recognizes genocide and recognizes genocide and whether it is prepared to act whether it is prepared to act to stop it.to stop it.

The Eight Stages of Genocide The Eight Stages of Genocide By Gregory H. Stanton By Gregory H. Stanton

1. Classification1. Classification

2. Symbolization 2. Symbolization

3. Dehumanization3. Dehumanization

4. Organization4. Organization

8 Stages of Genocide8 Stages of Genocide

5. Polarization5. Polarization

6. Preparation6. Preparation

7. Extermination7. Extermination

8. Denial 8. Denial

Ethnic CleansingEthnic Cleansing

Occurred in both Rwanda and former Occurred in both Rwanda and former Yugoslavia in 1990sYugoslavia in 1990s

Former Yugoslavia: ethnic Cleansing Former Yugoslavia: ethnic Cleansing created more than two million refugees and created more than two million refugees and displaced persons during the war in Bosniadisplaced persons during the war in Bosnia• This number increased with the expulsion of This number increased with the expulsion of

Serbs from Croatia and with the ferocious Serbs from Croatia and with the ferocious atrocities committed by Serbs against the atrocities committed by Serbs against the Albanian majority in Kosovo, prior and during (in Albanian majority in Kosovo, prior and during (in spite of) NATO air strikes.spite of) NATO air strikes.

Former YugoslaviaFormer Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia – 1991 – 1999Yugoslavia – 1991 – 1999

The United Nations got The United Nations got involved in September 1991involved in September 1991

Canadian peacekeepers sent Canadian peacekeepers sent in 1991 until 1997in 1991 until 1997• Fought mostly in Bosnia Fought mostly in Bosnia • Secured Sarejevo airportSecured Sarejevo airport

Also participated as part of Also participated as part of NATO forces in bombing raids NATO forces in bombing raids and as peacekeepers in and as peacekeepers in KosovoKosovo CBC archives - Providing 'safe havens' in Bosnia

http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-71-579-3006/conflict_war/van_doos/clip8

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2006/03/11/amanpour.serbia.milosevic.obit.cnn

Bosnia-Herzogovina 1992-1995Bosnia-Herzogovina 1992-1995 Yugoslavia has a long history Yugoslavia has a long history

of conflict between a very of conflict between a very diverse mix of ethnic and diverse mix of ethnic and religious groupsreligious groups

When Soviet Union collapsed When Soviet Union collapsed in 1989, fighting erupted in 1989, fighting erupted between various ethnic between various ethnic groups, leading to groups, leading to independence for Slovenia independence for Slovenia and Croatiaand Croatia

When Bosnian Muslims When Bosnian Muslims declared independence, declared independence, Yugoslav president Slobadan Yugoslav president Slobadan Milosevic attacked to support Milosevic attacked to support the Serbian minoritythe Serbian minority UN peacekeepers – 1992

Stripped area – Canadian sector

Former YugoslaviaFormer Yugoslavia As the Serbs forces As the Serbs forces advanced, they advanced, they began to began to systematically systematically eliminate Muslims eliminate Muslims (Mostly Albanians) (Mostly Albanians) and Muslim villages, and Muslim villages, in what became in what became known as “ethnic known as “ethnic cleansing.” cleansing.”

Over 200,000 Muslim Over 200,000 Muslim civilians were civilians were murdered and murdered and 2,000,000 fled as 2,000,000 fled as refugees before refugees before NATO forces NATO forces intervened to halt the intervened to halt the genocide. genocide.

After agreeing to a cease-fire in After agreeing to a cease-fire in Bosnia, the Serbs focused their Bosnia, the Serbs focused their attention and ethnic cleansing on attention and ethnic cleansing on Kosovo, which led to the NATO air Kosovo, which led to the NATO air war and the arrest of Milosevic on war war and the arrest of Milosevic on war crimes charges.crimes charges.

Rwanda – 1994Rwanda – 1994 Rwanda is one of the smallest Rwanda is one of the smallest

countries in Central Africa, with countries in Central Africa, with just 7 million people, and is just 7 million people, and is comprised of two main ethnic comprised of two main ethnic groups, the Hutu and the Tutsi. groups, the Hutu and the Tutsi.

Hutus account for 85-90% of the Hutus account for 85-90% of the populationpopulation

Tutsi minority (10-15%) was Tutsi minority (10-15%) was made the aristocracy of Rwanda made the aristocracy of Rwanda during Belgian colonial rule and during Belgian colonial rule and dominated Hutu peasants for dominated Hutu peasants for decadesdecades

Following independence from Following independence from Belgium in 1962, the Hutu majority Belgium in 1962, the Hutu majority seized power and reversed the seized power and reversed the roles, oppressing the Tutsis roles, oppressing the Tutsis through systematic discrimination through systematic discrimination and acts of violence.and acts of violence.

Rwanda – cont’Rwanda – cont’ As a result, over As a result, over

200,000 Tutsis fled to 200,000 Tutsis fled to neighboring countries neighboring countries and formed a rebel and formed a rebel guerrilla army, the guerrilla army, the Rwandan Patriotic Rwandan Patriotic FrontFront

In October 1993 the In October 1993 the first elected Hutu first elected Hutu president of Burundi president of Burundi was assassinated, was assassinated, sparking conflict sparking conflict

A 2,500 U.N. A 2,500 U.N. peacekeeping force was peacekeeping force was sent to preserve a cease-sent to preserve a cease-fire while Rwandan and fire while Rwandan and Burundi presidents met to Burundi presidents met to work out a peace planwork out a peace plan

Rwandan GenocideRwandan Genocide April, 1994 - Hutus began April, 1994 - Hutus began

an unprecedented killing an unprecedented killing spree, while the spree, while the international community international community watched in horror and did watched in horror and did nothing. nothing.

In July 1994, Tutsi rebels In July 1994, Tutsi rebels defeated the Hutus, defeated the Hutus, stopping the genocide, stopping the genocide, which had claimed over which had claimed over 800,000 lives, more than 800,000 lives, more than 10% of Rwanda’s 10% of Rwanda’s population.population.

RwandaRwanda

Canadian General Canadian General Romeo Dallaire was Romeo Dallaire was in charge of the in charge of the mission mission

His hands were His hands were continuously tied by continuously tied by UN UN

Genocide may have Genocide may have been stopped if they been stopped if they had allowed him to had allowed him to intervene earlierintervene earlier

RwandaRwanda

http://www.motherjones.com/commentary/fiore/2005/03/never.html

Land Mines IssueLand Mines Issue Anti-Personnel Land Mines Anti-Personnel Land Mines

– major problem faced by – major problem faced by people in war-torn people in war-torn countriescountries

110 million anti-personnel 110 million anti-personnel mines in over 64 countries mines in over 64 countries in the worldin the world

Internationally, 500 people Internationally, 500 people die each week because of die each week because of land mines & thousands land mines & thousands maimedmaimed

cannot distinguish between cannot distinguish between the combat boots of a the combat boots of a soldier and the footfall of soldier and the footfall of an innocent child.an innocent child.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E45TH3xLpYw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O45evC6wis

Land Mines – cont’Land Mines – cont’ Land mines cost only $5 to Land mines cost only $5 to

buy – cost between $300-buy – cost between $300-$1,000 EACH to remove$1,000 EACH to remove

Estimates say would take Estimates say would take 1,000 years to clear the 1,000 years to clear the world of land mines if no world of land mines if no new mines laidnew mines laid

However – for every mine However – for every mine cleared, 20 more are laidcleared, 20 more are laid

Only mine clearance Only mine clearance technique known to be technique known to be 100% effective – manually 100% effective – manually with metal detectors, with metal detectors, prodders, and hand prodders, and hand broomsbrooms

Land Mines – con’tLand Mines – con’t most heavily mine-affected countries in the world, most heavily mine-affected countries in the world,

according to a UN study, are: Afghanistan, Angola, according to a UN study, are: Afghanistan, Angola, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, Croatia, Eritrea, Iraq, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cambodia, Croatia, Eritrea, Iraq, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, Nicaragua and Sudan. Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, Nicaragua and Sudan.

These 12 countries These 12 countries together account for together account for almost 50 percent of almost 50 percent of the landmines the landmines currently deployed in currently deployed in the world and also the world and also suffer the highest suffer the highest number of landmines number of landmines casualities.casualities.

Land Mines – con’tLand Mines – con’t Top Land-mine Top Land-mine

producing countries producing countries include China, Russia, include China, Russia, and the USAand the USA

1996 – Canada’s Foreign 1996 – Canada’s Foreign Minister, Lloyd Axworthy Minister, Lloyd Axworthy – hosted an international – hosted an international conference on Land conference on Land MinesMines

December, 1997 – over December, 1997 – over 120 countries signed the 120 countries signed the Anti-Personnel Anti-Personnel Land Mines Treaty Land Mines Treaty in Ottawain Ottawa

• Bans the use, production, Bans the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of transfer, and stockpiling of land minesland mines

• USA HAS NOT SIGNED THIS USA HAS NOT SIGNED THIS TREATY – ONLY MAJOR TREATY – ONLY MAJOR POWER TO DO SOPOWER TO DO SO

US Invasion of Iraq - 2003 US Invasion of Iraq - 2003

Chretien’s Chretien’s government government refused to refused to support the US-support the US-led invasion led invasion because it was because it was NOT sanctioned NOT sanctioned by the UNby the UN

AfghanistanAfghanistan - - 2001 - present2001 - present When USA was When USA was

attacked on attacked on September 11September 11thth, 2001, , 2001, Canada became Canada became involved in Afghanistan involved in Afghanistan as part of the NATO as part of the NATO AllianceAlliance

Controversial re: Controversial re: whether we should whether we should remain there or notremain there or not

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF0wVy9qiAs

New Era - GlobalizationNew Era - Globalization new trend developed – new trend developed –

centered around making centered around making money (economics) money (economics) globalizationglobalization – vast – vast network of business, network of business, communications, and communications, and cultural links among cultural links among countriescountries

goods and information goods and information travel more freelytravel more freely

Globalization – Pros and ConsGlobalization – Pros and Cons

Pros mostly for the Pros mostly for the “have” people and “have” people and countries countries

developed world & developed world & wealthy corporationswealthy corporations

Cons mostly for Cons mostly for “have not” people “have not” people and countriesand countries

developing world and developing world and poorpoor