Introduction

The question of command and control of UN and other multi-national operations is one of the more serious issues confronting the formation of international forces. Command of UN forces is fraught with difficulties arising from both subjective human factors and objective legal constraints. This chapter examines these and related issues with particular reference to the Lebanon (UNIFIL), Somalia (UNOSOM II) and Kosovo (UNMIK/KFOR) operations. The problems encountered at an international level often have their origins in municipal law and the national policy of contributing states. For example, under Canadian law, at no stage in any international operation is national command of Canadian Forces to be handed over to a foreign commander. Yet it is axiomatic that unity of command is a necessary component for the success of any military force, including international UN forces. The submission of national contingents serving in UN forces to foreign command is unavoidable in multi-national UN forces. In theory, the command structure of such forces is straightforward, but in practice this is seldom the case. A mechanism to overcome the difficulties created has been described as follows: