Part of the peacekeeping plan included 4,780 police officers, who were to come from 42 countries and work under the direction of the United Nations. As of the end of January, however, the force had only 1,970 officers. Another 101 asked to go home, the report says. Half of those who requested to leave were Americans, some of whom left on vacation and then refused to return. The United Nations won't specify how many fell under the latter category.
Morale is clearly a factor.
U.N. policemen, requesting they not be identified by name or nationality, cite severe equipment problems, staffing shortages and difficult living conditions, including bitter cold and insufficient electricity and water. Everyone comes with different visions of what the mission will be. Last week, only 25 percent of the force's vehicles were operational because the United Nations unknowingly bought fuel diluted with water. Each vehicle was rationed to four gallons of diesel per day, said U.N. police. And some vehicles have not been issued tire chains, despite the frequent and heavy snow.