Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the accessibility of primary documentation, the availability for interviews of officials who were directly involved in the planning and operational phases of the mission and the quality of secondary source materials. It outlines the suitability of the case study for testing and evaluating the operational principles or working hypotheses. The book provides a contribution to the continuing discussion of better management and effectiveness of information programmes of the United Nations. Media images of peace operations in which casualties have been incurred have caused some countries to withdraw their military contingents, as did the United States from Somalia, and the Belgians from Rwanda. The book underlines the vital importance of communications as a strategic management function, which, in order to be effective, has to extend to its most visible field missions, the peacekeeping operations.