ned to areas throughout the world. Within the past decade, active peacekeeping patrols have been assigned to Haiti, [UN Mission in Haiti, since 1993], Iraq and Iran [UN Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group, 1988-1991], various Middle East countries [UN Interim Force in Lebanon, since 1978, UN Disengagement Observer Force, since 1974], and Yugoslavia [United Nations Protection Force, since 1992]. Currently, though, the power of the United Nations has been put to the ultimate test. In 1949, the North Atlantic treaty Organization [NATO] was signed with the backing of 12 powers including Canada, the United States, Belgium, France, Iceland, Norway, Italy, Portugal, Denmark, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom, creating an alliance against the growing threat of Soviet and consequently a communist power. Since the organization's creation, new members include Greece and Turkey [in 1952], the former West Germany (in 1955), Spain [in 1982], and on March 12, 1999, Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary joined. However, since the end of the Cold War, NATO's role has been reduced to that of a peacekeeper, and of an economic and political alliance (London Free Press, C8,). In 1995, "The UN gave NATO the mandate to implement the military part of the 1995 peace accord in Bosnia. However, on March 24, 1999, NATO powers have stepped beyond the mandate for military control and initiated an offensive air strike against Yugoslav President, Slobodan Milosevic. Bypassing the protocol UN security force, NATO countries have attempted to combat allegations of ethnic cleansing in the region of Kosovo. The preamble to the North Atlantic Treaty states that:The parties to this treaty reaffirm their faith in the purposes and principles of the charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and governments.They are determined to safeguard the freedom, common heritage and civilization of their peoples, founded o...
