NORWAY MILITARY ENGAGEMENT IN UN PEACE OPERATIONS IN A NEW ERA

This article discusses Norway's policy regarding its military participation in UN peace operations. For Norway, as with other Nordic countries, participation in UN operations is defined as one of the main objectives for the armed forces. Although the relative importance of the Nordic countries has decreased over the years due to the involvement of other nations, they must still be considered as main contributors to such operations. The UN's increased importance as the main conductor of peace operations has led to changes also in Norway's policy towards participation with military units in these operations. The Norwegian UN stand-by force was adjusted and expanded in 1993. Norway's participation in peace enforcement operations authorized by the UN Security Council has been limited. A main reason for this is the size of its armed forces. Norway is not capable of establishing larger military units, which are considered to be a prerequisite at least for combat operations. However, Norway's present participation in the new generation of UN peacekeeping operations (e.g. UNPROFOR in former Yugoslavia) is extensive.