UN Preventive Deployment Force (Macedonia) (UNPREDEP)
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UN Preventive Deployment Force (Macedonia) (UNPREDEP)
This mission was established in March 1995 which decided that the activities of UNPROFOR, within the former Republic of Macedonia, shall be known as UNPREDEP. The mandate was essentially preventive—to monitor and report any development in the border areas that could undermine the confidence and stability in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia or threaten its territory. The Mission terminated in February 1999.
The United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP) was established on 31 March 1995 in Security Council Resolution 983 to replace the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in the Republic of Macedonia. The mandate of UNPREDEP remained essentially the same: to monitor and report any developments in the border areas which could undermine confidence and stability in the country and threaten its territory. It is widely considered to be an instance of a successful deployment of UN peacekeeping forces in the prevention of conflict and violence against civilians.
The operation was shut down on 28 February 1999, after its last extension in Resolution 1186 when China vetoed its renewal in 1999 following Macedonia's diplomatic recognition of Taiwan. This mission was unique as it was the first peacekeeping operation to undertake conflict prevention before the outbreak of conflict. The premature termination of UNPREDEP in 1999 predates the 2001 insurgency in Macedonia.
Awarded for 90 days consecutive service between 31 March 1995 to 28 February 1999.
The UN strictly applies their medals policy and will not consider requests for initial issue of the UN medals that are submitted more than one year after repatriation from the mission area.
The ribbon has the UN blue background, representing peace, upon which is a broad red field with yellow bands in the middle bordered by thin white bands, representing the UNPREDEP command presence in Macedonia as well as the flag and coat of arms of that former state (gules a lion Or). The qualifying service is not required for members killed or presumed killed while on assignment. In such cases, the medal may be awarded posthumously.
