Uneven support threatens U.N. missions

UNITED NATIONS, March 12 (UPI) -- Uneven international support for U.N. peacekeeping missions is threatening security gains in conflict areas, a top U.N. official reported.

Jean-Marie Guehenno, U.N. undersecretary-general for peacekeeping operations, says despite a boost in U.N. field operations, the international community's support has been inconsistent which poses serious challenges to security gains achieved in conflict areas of operation.

"A serious failure in one of our missions would be enough to put at risk the credibility of the whole of peacekeeping, which we have worked so hard to restore over the past few years," Guehenno said in a statement.

Guehenno acknowledged several U.N. missions are showing signs of progress including operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone among other countries; however U.N. operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the Darfur region of Sudan face serious security threats.

"At the very moment when international assistance is most needed, the attention of the world is waning," Guehenno said.

Guehenno also cited concerns about the U.N. mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea where the two countries have recently deployed military units along their shared border.

"It is clear to me that peacekeeping works best when the membership shares a common vision, remains engaged with national actors and views the peace operation as a common endeavor of the international community," Guehenno said.