The military forces deployed in ex-Yugoslavia under the mandate of the United Nations, made up of forces from various countries, are doing exemplary work, both in protecting humanitarian aid and in peacekeeping between the different sides to the conflict, risking even their lives.
The peculiarities of the situation which ex-Yugoslavia is going through, with overlapping ethnic and religious confrontations, unclear war fronts, millions of refugees and a great need for humanitarian aid -medicine, food, clothing, etc.- make their sensitive work, in which, furthermore, they cannot take sides or any position in favour of any of the combatants, even more difficult.
The UNO Blue Berets are carrying on a complicated job in ex-Yugoslavia, escorting convoys of humanitarian aid, negotiating with different sides or encouraging them to do so themselves to keep the channels open for dialogue, protecting both the millions of refugees caused by this conflict and foreign negotiators and intermediaries, and even physically placing themselves between the combatants, doing all of this by peaceful use of their means and weapons.
Furthermore, in ex-Yugoslavia, there are other international institutions and bodies at work, both private and those depending upon the United Nations Organisation itself. Such is the case, for example of the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), winner of the 1991 Prince of Asturias Award for International Co-operation.
UN peacekeeping forces are performing difficult missions in different countries around the world which are going through situations of confrontation or tension, especially in the Middle East or, more recently, in Somalia.
During recent years these forces have increased their activity in a changing world where different conflicts have arisen, which has meant strengthening the role of the United Nations Organisation, based in New York, with the aim of resolving conflicts all over the world.
Among the military forces stationed in ex-Yugoslavia, there is an sizeable detachment of Spanish forces, periodically replaced, principally stationed in Bosnia. Their work has frequently been praised by the other countries taking part in this humanitarian mission. Several Spanish soldiers have died in performance of their humanitarian aid work in the area.