Occasionally referred to as the United Nations Operation in Macedonia, the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force, or UNPREDEP, was officially established by U.N. Security Council Resolution 983 on March 31, 1995. Its mandate was more or less the same as that of the United Nations Protection Force in the Republic of Macedonia: to act as a monitor on developments in the border areas in and around Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, and Kosovo.
Spanning nearly four years, UNPREDEP was one of the United Nations’ more successful efforts at peacekeeping. Nearly thirty countries contributed troops, police, military observers, to the mission, with almost every region of the globe represented. Nations geographically close to the region, such as the Russian Federation, Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Turkey supplied personnel who had some familiarity with local customs and traditions, while European countries such as Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, and others were the source of capital and technology. The Americas were represented by Argentina, Brazil, Canada, and of course the United States.
While the situation had been significantly stabilized by the beginning of 1999, many participants, including the U.S., felt the operation’s goals had not yet been achieved and that there was still a pressing need for monitors in the region. But on February 25, 1999, China used its power as member of the Security Council to veto Resolution 1186 to renew the operation’s mandate.
Both the Army and the Air Force recognize the United Nation’s medal for this operation and authorize its acceptance and wear. To be eligible for the award, an individual must serve under the tactical or operational control of the United Nations and service at least 90 days in the service of the U.N.