Monaco participated with a $14,000 contribution to the United Nations peacekeeping force in Bosnia-Herzegovina (1995-1996) (UNDPI 1996, 749). Monaco is a micro-European state without armed forces. Besides not having defence forces, the main reason for not contributing resides on the nature of its governmental structure and its foreign policy. Nevertheless, Monaco provides financial assistance to different international development programs, focused mainly in Africa. Also, Monaco is a member of UNOSES, together with Andorra, Liechtenstein, and Saint-Marino, which finance some specific development programs. Monaco is the second-smallest independent state in the world and it is a playground for tourists and a haven for the wealthy, the former drawn by its climate and the beauty of its setting and the latter by its advantageous tax regime (BBC 2006am, par. 1).
Initial variables of the data collection process:
UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform
Monaco is not fully involved on the UN reform debate. Nevertheless, it participates in many of the UN agencies.
Initial variables of the data collection process:
UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform
Monaco is not fully involved on the UN reform debate. Nevertheless, it participates in many of the UN agencies.
Perception of peacekeeping
In Monaco, peacekeeping operations are more inclinated towards the humanitarian side of them, perhaps due to the fact that Monaco has no defence forces.
Domestic political environment
The Minister of State represents the Prince and he is the first authority after the Prince (SIM 2005b, par. 1). He is appointed by Him and as president of the Government Council, he is responsible for governing the country and, for that purpose, has at his disposal the executive departments of the State (Ibid.). This type of structure limits the possibility of participation, because there is not a special institution dedicated to be engaged exclusively on issues of international security.
Domestic economic environment
Monaco depends for its livelihood chiefly on income from tourism, real estate, financial services, and small, high value-added, non-polluting industry (Thomson 2006l, par. 3). The citizens of Monaco have no need to seek employment as peacekeepers, nor does the government need to engage in peacekeeping:
A substantial part of the principality's revenue from tourist sources comes from the operations of Sea-Bathing Co. (Société des Bains de Mer—SBM), in which the government holds a 69% interest. The SBM operates the gambling casino at Monte Carlo as well as four hotels, 19 restaurants, a cabaret, and the Thermos Margins spa. Its reported profits in 2002 were about $21 million, down from close to $30 million in 2001. The government also retains monopolies in telephone services, postal services and tobacco. A 22 ha landfill project at Fontvielle increased Monaco's total land area. Land reclamation since Prince Rainier's accession to the throne in 1949 has increased Monaco's territory by 23%. (Ibid., par. 4)
Military affairs
France assumed responsibility for the defence of Monaco as part of the Versailles Treaty in 1919 (Ibid., par. 5). There is no army in the principality (Ibid.). A private guard protects the royal family, and a police force of 390 ensures public safety (Ibid.). In the case of Monaco deciding to send troops (which is not likely), perhaps Monaco could allow its citizens to be part of the French contingent.
Foreign policy
“The Principality became a full member of the United Nations in 1993 after having had the status of Permanent Observer” (UN-Monaco 2006b, par. 1). Through this cooperation, “Monaco supports in particular respectful development of the environment, contributes to the fight against world poverty and participates in improving health and education in accordance with the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals” (SIM 2005a, par. 1). In 2004, about forty projects divided between 18 countries mainly belonging to the Mediterranean and African area were put in place by the Monegasque cooperation (Ibid.). The government’s total official development assistance was € 2,290,000 for the same period (excluding running costs) (Ibid.). The African continent is the main beneficiary of Monegasque aid receiving 63.8% of allocated funds; 76.9% of 2004 funds were allocated to French-speaking countries (Ibid.).
Additional variables found after the preliminary analysis:
Climate changes
No record.
Independent negotiations taken by DPKO to seek troops
No record.
Independent negotiations taken by contributor countries to engage non-contributor countries
No record. Other types of negotiations have taken place between the small European states to promote development (see below).
Meetings organized by other international organizations to engage in dialogue about peacekeeping
The UNOSES have financed UNICEF and UNAIDS’ projects for children in Gabon (UN-Monaco 2006a, par. 3). They have contributed with $280,000 dlls (Ibid.).
