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I never think in these terms.
The purpose of peace-
keeping is to protect and
strengthen a fragile peace. It
is a tremendous challenge,
an incredibly challenging
undertaking. We rely on
Member States to contribute
with troops, to agree to the
funding, to provide political
support and context -- other-
wise we cannot succeed.
The success of peace-
keeping is remembering
some important principles.
We provide forces to bear
the peace-keeping role, but
the mission force cannot do
George Cristian Major (left), Secretary of State and Head of the Department for Euro -Atlantic Integration
all the things that have to be and Defense Policy of Romania, signs the Memorandum of Understanding "UN Standard Arrangements
done. While the UN is an System - Rapid Deployment Level - Romanian Mechanized Infantry Company". At right is Jane Hall Lute,
I
important contributor to Assistant Secretarv-Generalfbr Peacekeeping Operations. CREDIT— UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
peace in the aftermath of a I would take a different me of two concepts in How about dignifying the
conflict, not everything can- point of view. You try to live Judaism -- called mismena effect rather than looking at
not be done by us. There is your life and conduct it in a and kontenten2a -- one is the the whole!
plenty of work for NGOs way that reflects the ideals "intent" and the other is the
and others. We have to and the highest aspirations "deed". We are coming to an Thus, I do not present
remember the principle of of the organization. Let me era where you only get myself as an example to
the light footprint -- the tell you that we are dealing credit for the deed if the anybody. My responsibility
global North is committed with really large and com- intent is right. So you get is to my children. People
to standards. We need to plex problems, and we are graded on what you did and may draw their own
remember dignity, respect only human beings. We are how you were motivated -- conclusions. I have far too
and honour for the societies not robots; we are doing the shame on us! Shame on us! much respect for my
in which we are serving in. best we can. I will give you Have we come so far, have colleagues to think that I
This is the kind of business a good illustration. we moved so far away from will be an example to them.
where we demonstrate that our own humanity to forget If anything, it would be the
the world can pool it I have just been to Darfur, that we are human beings reverse because they do not
strengths to share its Sudan. One of our collea- and we are not going to be get the attention that I
burdens. gues there had set up a small perfect? It is better that those receive -- and they deserve
mini-golf course and he was who expect perfection do it. That's a special privilege
So when you ask me about teaching a couple of young not come to the meeting! Or of my position. Power is
me -- it's never about me! kids to play. One morning that they should arrange not position; it's privilege!
we were out there hitting perfection before coming to
Q: But you are contribu- balls and swinging golf the meeting! Q: So what is power
ting? clubs, and I said to myself-- then?
is this really what we are At this point in my life, I am
We should never lose sight supposed to be doing in far slower to judge the The privilege of power is to
of the fact that we are all Darfur? And then, I thought effort, the intent that people do good. I tell my children:
contributing, and it's an to myself, the guy who make their own. If the effect "Never think that you have
organized this has been out
privilege.
extraordinary is right, I accept it because been born into an enor-
Never for a minute do I in Darfur for two years. He the world needs a better mous privilege of the
forget the fact that a peace- set this up to give himself a effect. I'm not going to grade Western world; you just got
keeper's success depends on little mental recreation, a people on what ultimately lucky."
what I am able to do, on little relaxation. He also would be Western standards
what people are able to do sells hats and uses the of intent, Western sets of
on my behalf money to provide the kids principles. Again, if we are
with education and to teach all about results and
Q: So you serve as a them golf. So I said to effectiveness, what about
good example? myself, we are not robots. the human element? How
We are people. It reminds about honouring the spirit?

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