The role of peacekeepers in the 1990s: Swedish experience in UNPROFOR

In recent years there has been a development towards more complex forms of UN peacekeeeping. One example of this is the UN mission in former Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR), to which Sweden has contributed troops since 1992. A questionnaire study was conducted to gain information about the role of peacekeepers in this new kind of UN mission. The study includes data from four Swedish mechanized infantry battalions, which were deployed in Bosnia for six months each, from autumn 1993 to autumn 1995. The questionnaire was completed by a total of 3,505 persons in connection with the Swedish UN personnel demobilization procedures. This article presents some of their views and experiences and discusses these in relation to the role of peacekeepers in the 1990s.