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Ministate and macrocooperation: Fiji's peacekeeping debut in Lebanon

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 October 2009

Ramesh Thakur
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Extract

During 1982 the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was conspicuous largely for a lack of any effective role. Paradoxically, however, Fiji had earned a measure of distinction for its contribution to international peace through UNIFIL, and was in consequence asked to participate in the Sinai peacekeeping force in 1982. At the same time, Fiji's first experience in international peacekeeping also exposed it to many of the constraints and frustrations of such ventures. As has been shown elsewhere, UNIFIL's experiences are in keeping with the history of UN peacekeeping. The argument in this paper is that the experiences of the Fijian component of UNIFIL are equally at one with the experiences of national contingents generally in UN forces; that in certain areas the Fijian involvement displays unique features that are partly a function of its ministate characteristics; and that Fiji's contributions to peacekeeping is an effective answer to old doubts about UN membership for ministates.

Type
Research Article
Information
Review of International Studies , Volume 10 , Issue 4 , October 1984 , pp. 269 - 284
Copyright
Copyright © British International Studies Association 1984

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References

1. James, Alan, ‘Painful Peacekeeping: The United Nations in Lebanon 1978–1982’, paper presented at the 24th annual convention of the International Studies Association, Mexico City, April 1983;Google Scholar and Thakur, Ramesh, ‘International Peacekeeping: The U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon’, Australian Outlook, 35 (August 1981).CrossRefGoogle Scholar

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5. Quoted in Wiseman, Henry and Taylor, Alastair M., From Rhodesia to Zimbabwe: The Politics of Transition (New York, 1981), p. 47.Google Scholar

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20. Otago Daily Times, 13 June 1981.

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24. Otago Daily Times, 22 June 1981.

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36. Fiji Times, 6 February 1979.

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41. The Fijian political system is modelled on British parliamentary government, but is more than just a pale imitation of Westminster. The 52-member House of Representatives is elected on the basis of a complex formula designed to protect the interests of the indigenous Fijians against the numerically larger Fiji-Indians. After the September 1977 elections, Ratu Mara's Alliance Party had 36 seats. Elections in July 1982 reduced his majority to four. The Senate consists of 22 appointed members, of whom only seven are the Prim e Minister's nominees. Eight are nominated by the Great Council of Chiefs, six by the Leader of the Opposition, and one by the Council of Rotuma. In general the Senate reviews legislation from the lower House; it can debate special motions; and it may appoint select committees of inquiry. It has the final say on matters concerning native land. Opposition to foreign policy decisions are largely symbolic.

42. Fiji Times, 25 June 1981.

43. Fiji Times, 4 October 1979.

44. Fiji Times, 3 March 1979.

45. Fiji Times, 24 September 1979.

46. UN Chronicle, June 1980, p. 15.

47. ‘Statement Delivered by Ambassador Vunibobo during the Ministers' UNIFIL Meeting of Troop Contributing Countries in Dublin’ (1980; copy of text supplied to author upon request).

48. Fiji Sun, 18 December 1979.

49. Fiji Times, 9 November 1979.

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