ABSTRACT
The United Nations Peace Forces Headquarters was responsible for liaison with the governments in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and other concerned governments as well as with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO-led Implementation Force (IFOR) had the unchallenged political support from all members of the UN Security Council, the European Union and NATO. IFOR would provide a back-up capability, including close air support for the purpose of self-defence of the UN peacekeepers in Eastern Slavonia. IFOR should shift its position in order to support the civil side. Deployment of an overwhelmingly NATO-led force on the ground provided a credible deterrent against anyone who might contemplate violating the cease-fire. UN-led United Nations Protection Force and NATO had been able to contribute to the political momentum for the current settlement and peace implementation operation. One general conclusion might have been that NATO peace implementation should have preceded UN peacekeeping.
