Preventing War
The United Nations and Macedonia
Published on 8. November 2000
Book
Hardback
224 pages
978-0-7425-0907-8 (ISBN)
Description
In the last decade of the bloodiest century in recorded history, the United Nations devised a new instrument-preventive deployment-to deal with the age-old problem of war. This unique first-hand study provides the definitive account of the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP), which was deployed from 1992 to 1999 in Macedonia, for the first time before hostilities erupted. Abiodun Williams explains why UNPREDEP was established, how it implemented its new mandate, and its pathbreaking accomplishments. Placing his account in the context of the evolution of UN peacekeeping and Macedonian history, Williams's analysis is grounded in systematic empirical detail. The book demonstrates that UNPREDEP enhanced the stability and security of Macedonia, as well as provided international political legitimation of the country's sovereignty and independence. Preventing War makes a strong argument for the wisdom and efficacy of preventive action and offers important guidance about its use in other potential conflicts.
Reviews / Votes
An excellent piece of work: well structured, very clearly written, sound, and convincing. -- Alan James, Keele University This book is worthwhile reading because of Williams's convincing argument that a UN preventive mission did make a difference in a region steeped in armed conflict. * Millennium * Williams' analysis is grounded in systematic empirical detail. The book makes a strong argument for the wisdom and efficacy of preventive action and offers important guidance about its use in other potential conflicts. * Tufts Magazine * A thoughtful, compassionate and higly relevant work. * The South Slav Journal * Williams' book is an important and timely study as Macedonia stands on the brink of full-scale civil war. Abiodun Williams' efforts reveal why the current turmoil exists and why the UNPREPREP did little to prevent it. More importantly, the study shows ow the UN must revamp its peacekeeping efforts if it wants to truly play a role in international conflict resolution and conflict avoidance. * Journal of Conflict Studies * Abiodun Williams' excellent book on the UN experience in Macedonia combines the inside knowledge of a participant with the analytical perspective of the historian. The book provides a fascinating picture of how Macedonia was shielded from external aggression while dealing with threatening internal pressures within its borders. -- James Sutterlin, Yale UniversityMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Dimensions
Height: 236 mm
Width: 154 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
408 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7425-0907-8 (9780742509078)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Abiodun Williams is director of strategic planning in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. He served as political adviser to U.N. peacekeeping operations in Macedonia, Haiti, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Previously, he taught international relations at Georgetown University.
Content
Chapter 1 Preventive Diplomacy and the Evolution of UN Peacekeeping Chapter 2 The Burden of History Chapter 3 Making a New Beginning Chapter 4 Composition, Organization, and Structure of UNPREDEP Chapter 5 Keeping Watch Chapter 6 The Good Offices Function Chapter 7 Withdrawing a Winning Team Chapter 8 Conclusion