Military Observer Mission Ecuador-Peru (MOMEP) Doing a Lot with a Little

摘要

This paper analyzes the Military Observer Mission Ecuador-Peru, (MOMEP) andrecommends that it serve as a model for future peacekeeping operations. This multinational peacekeeping mission formed in response to the January 1995 border conflict. This small group of 100 peacekeepers from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and the US, separated the belligerents, supervised demobilization, created a demilitarized zone, integrated former belligerents into the peacekeeping force, and maintained a secure environment so diplomats could discuss the long-term resolution of the problem. MOMEP, financed by the former belligerents, was small and cost effective, making it particularly attractive in times of fiscal and manpower constraints. The author argues that regional peacekeeping forces have advantages over traditional UN collective peacekeeping missions. He also argues that a small, multinational peacekeeping force can be effective when certain conditions are met: when the observer support base is built on a standing unit headquarters, and when the observer force is provided superior communications and mobility. Finally he argues that observer actions; observing strict impartiality, integrating former belligerents into the peacekeeping force, and avoiding mission creep, are all key ingredients of success. The author stresses that the MOMEP model is most appropriate for those peacekeeping missions resembling the MOMEP environment--missions with a high level of consent designed to monitor an agreement.