UN Under-Secretary-General for peacekeeping operations to discuss in Moscow questions of Russia's participation in such operations

UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Marie Gueheno who arrived in Moscow the day before on a short working visit will discuss on Wednesday the questions of Russia's participation in UN peacekeeping operations.

RIA Novosti learned from the UN information centre in Moscow that Gueheno's talks in the Russian capital "will be aimed to increase Russia's involvement in the UN peacekeeping operations," and in this context the official is expected to hold "meetings in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence and the Interior." In the course of his Moscow visit Gueheno is accompanied by special envoy of the UN Secretary-General and head of the UN observation mission in Georgia Mrs. Heidi Tagliavini, which also implies discussion of the situation in the zone of the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict (Abkhazia is a self-proclaimed republic on Georgian territory).

The officials at the UN information centre noted that Jean-Marie Gueheno is "the key figure with regard to UN activity in the sphere of international security." Today, 15 peacekeeping operations are being conducted in the world, the total numerical strength of military personnel and civil policemen in them being about 44,400.

Gueheno handles issues of enhancing effectiveness of peacekeeping operations and adapting them to present-day realities.

His visit will last till November 15th.