Addressing the open debate of the UN Security Council on the closure and transition of peacekeeping operations, Chinese Permanent Representative to UN Wang Yingfan said that in recent years, the United Nations has established peace-building support offices in some countries so as to continue to provide help for the countries concerned in their effort of consolidating peace and post-conflict construction after the termination of relevant peacekeeping operations.

However, on the whole, the formulation of practical and operational exit strategies still require more peacekeeping practice of the United Nations in this respect, Wang said.

Wang noted that the formulation of exit strategy and whether it can be implemented depend to large degree on whether a realistic and practical plan could be formulated when peacekeeping operations are decided.

This includes the accurate analysis of the situation of the country and the region where a peacekeeping operation is to be deployed, the assessment of possible factors which may disturb and interrupt the peace process, the corresponding strategies and exclusive goals for peacekeeping operations and the guarantee of the resources required, Wang said.

The United Nations peacekeeping operations should from the beginning be aimed at supporting the countries concerned on peacekeeping capabilities, and the affairs of a country should be automatically handled by the country's own people and government, he said, adding that the international community can only play a promoting and facilitating role.

In the process of assisting a country concerned, the United Nations should respect the views and opinions of that country, he stressed.

The United Nations should enhance the cooperation and coordination with the regional organizations and the coordination and cooperation among the organs of the United Nations system should also be strengthened, he said.

(People's Daily 11/16/2000)