Since the end of the cold war the number of UN peacekeeping missions raised drastically. This development within international affairs has been labelled the “new interventionism” (see for example Yannis 2002b: 826). But not only the absolute numbers increased, also the scope of these missions has undergone some fundamental changes. The mandates of traditional peacekeeping operations are expanded allowing UN forces to be actively engaged in operations which can be better described as peacebuilding missions (Brahimi 2000, Mortimer 2004: 10). However, the term “peacebuilding” is still not integrating the phenomenon of UN forces running the entire domestic administration of post-conflict societies. Within the scientific discussion the term “international interim administration” is therefore seen as more accurate to describe UN operations in territories such as Cambodia, Liberia, and Eastern Slavonia. This article adds to the scientific discourse by focusing on two of the most recent cases of UN Interim Administration: the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). Whereas the UNTAET ended in 2002 with the release of East Timor into independence, UNMIK is still continuing and the question of the Kosovo’s final status remains open. While the outcome of these missions seems to be very different they were both facing similar difficulties which are characteristically for interim administrations. Therefore this paper is going to point out some specific problems and challenges of these missions. Special attention in this context will be directed towards the following issues. Taking the respective UN resolutions as a starting point for examination the article will take into account the challenges that are derived from the structure of the mandate and the question of state sovereignty in the context of international interim administration. Being amongst the most important aspects within those missions, the article additionally addresses the UN’s organisational capacity to accomplish these wide-ranging missions and the establishment of ad-hoc judicial systems.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The United Nations and its peacekeeping missions in the context of International Interim Administration
3. Challenges and Problems of UN international interim administrations
4. The Case of Kosovo
4.1 The Kosovo – final status still in limbo
4.2 UNMIK’s problems in the Kosovo
5. The Case of East Timor
5.1 East Timor – finally independent
5.2 UNTAET’s problems in East Timor
6. Conclusion and critical reflection
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the challenges and dilemmas inherent in United Nations international interim administration missions, specifically focusing on the mandates, organizational capacities, and judicial reconstruction efforts in Kosovo and East Timor. It aims to analyze how these missions balance state sovereignty with the need for effective interim governance.
- The legitimacy and scope of international interim administration mandates.
- Organizational challenges within the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
- Reconstruction of judicial and legal systems in post-conflict environments.
- Strategic exit planning and the transfer of authority to local institutions.
- Comparative analysis of the UN missions in Kosovo (UNMIK) and East Timor (UNTAET).
Excerpt from the Book
3. Challenges and Problems of UN international interim administrations
Harland (2004: 15) points out that one of the basic political problems of international interim administration is its lack of legitimacy. By its nature international interim administration logically comes to conflict with the principle of state sovereignty. Today the international system is still based upon the so-called Westphalian System in which the sovereign nation state is the most important political actor (Hobden and Wyn-Jones 2001: 216). This modern state system is hence characterised by geographical parameters which divide ‘the globe’s surface into mutually exclusive geographically jurisdictions enclosed by discrete and meaningful borders’ (Kobrin 2001: 4). Each state has therefore the right to govern itself within its boundaries. This notion of exclusive territoriality can also be seen in Krasner’s (1999 as cited in Caporaso and Jupille 2004: 71) conceptualisation of state sovereignty. Krasner divides the concept of state sovereignty into four specific aspects: control over borders, external recognition, the ultimate legal right to decide and the capacity to exclude external authority structures. These characteristic elements of the concept of state sovereignty are challenged by international administration in some specific ways.
As the term international interim administration indicates, the authority is transferred to an internationally organised body. In case of the UN entirely taking over the administration of a territory it implies that the UN is responsible not only for governing the country on a day-to-day basis but also for tasks intervening in the core sphere of national sovereignty (Harland 2004: 15). Especially when it comes to determining the final status of the administered territory, the UN is facing the danger of passing over the claims of the civil population. These claims are often multifaceted because of ethnic diversities within the region but they are inherent to the people and have to be taken into consideration when deciding about the future of a country.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the rise of UN peacebuilding missions, defines "international interim administration," and outlines the comparative focus on the Kosovo and East Timor cases.
2. The United Nations and its peacekeeping missions in the context of International Interim Administration: This chapter provides a historical overview of the UN and analyzes the legitimacy of interim administrations under the UN Charter.
3. Challenges and Problems of UN international interim administrations: This chapter explores the political, organizational, and practical hurdles, such as sovereignty conflicts, lack of exit strategies, and judicial system reconstruction.
4. The Case of Kosovo: This chapter details the historical context of the Kosovo conflict and analyzes the specific operational and mandate-related difficulties faced by UNMIK.
5. The Case of East Timor: This chapter outlines East Timor's path to independence and examines the tensions between UNTAET’s mandate and the practical challenges of state-building.
6. Conclusion and critical reflection: This chapter summarizes the key arguments and reflects on the necessity of organizational reform for future UN interim administration success.
Keywords
International interim administration, United Nations, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, UNMIK, UNTAET, Kosovo, East Timor, state sovereignty, mandate, judicial reform, exit strategy, nation-building, legitimacy, post-conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the challenges and dilemmas associated with United Nations international interim administration missions in post-conflict societies.
Which specific UN missions are analyzed as case studies?
The study specifically analyzes the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET).
What is the primary research objective?
The objective is to identify and explain the specific problems and challenges—political, organizational, and practical—that the UN faces when assuming direct administrative control over territories.
Which scientific methodology does the author apply?
The paper utilizes a comparative analytical approach, examining existing literature, UN resolutions, and the historical development of the respective regions to evaluate the effectiveness of the missions.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the concept of international interim administration, issues of state sovereignty, organizational capacities of the UN, the necessity of judicial system reconstruction, and the critical importance of exit strategies.
Which key terms define this academic discourse?
Key terms include "international interim administration," "new interventionism," "state sovereignty," "suspended sovereignty," and "Timorization."
How does the author describe the tension in the UNMIK mandate?
The author identifies a central contradiction in the UNMIK mandate, where it is required to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia while simultaneously fostering substantial autonomy for the Kosovars.
What does the paper conclude regarding the success of UNTAET in East Timor?
The paper concludes that while UNTAET is often cited as a successful example of an administration leading to independence, recent turmoil suggests that earlier positive assessments may have been premature and that more long-term strategies are required.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Melanie Thiem (Autor:in), 2006, The UN's Challenges and Problems in International Interim Administration: The cases of the Kosovo and East Timor, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/66567
