Saint Lucia has participated once in UN peacekeeping operations with UN police in the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH) during 1993-1996 (UNDPI 1996, 769). Saint Lucia is also part of the SIDS, and advocates for environmental issues (climate change) and international development. The main reason is not having defence forces, but also because peacekeeping is not part of their agenda.
Initial variables of the data collection process:
UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform
No record.
Initial variables of the data collection process:
UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform
No record.
Perception of peacekeeping
No record.
Domestic political environment
Kenny Anthony led the Saint Lucia Labor Party (SLP) to victory and won a second term as prime minister in December 2001, gaining 14 of the 17 contested seats (BBC 2006av, par. 1). The remaining seats were taken by the former ruling United Workers Party (Ibid.). Peacekeeping is not part of the internal political scene, unless something dramatic happens in Haiti that requires the regional support. On the other hand, rising levels of crime and high unemployment are among the challenges facing his government (Ibid.).
Domestic economic environment
Agriculture is the main economic activity on Saint Lucia, which is the leading producer of bananas in the Windward Islands group (Thomson 2006r, par. 4). Tourism, with direct flights from Europe and North America, has recently become an equally important economic activity. Saint Lucia's manufacturing sector has grown steadily, with the construction of many light manufacturing and assembly plants that produce for local or export markets (Ibid.). Thus, participating in peacekeeping for economic reasons is not likely.
Military affairs
As of 2000 there were no armed forces other than those of the police force and coast guard (Ibid., par. 5). The Eastern Caribbean Regional Security System, formed in 1985, includes Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as Saint Lucia, and provides for joint coast-guard operations, military exercises, and disaster contingency plans (Ibid.).
Foreign policy
Saint Lucia became a member of the UN on September 12, 1979 (Ibid., par. 6). Despite its active participation in many international organizations, peacekeeping is not part of their foreign policy agenda. Saint Lucia shares the same foreign policy concerns as the SIDS.
Additional variables found after the preliminary analysis:
Climate changes
Saint Lucia advocates for better policies targeting to improve the environment.
Independent negotiations taken by DPKO to seek troops
No record.
Independent negotiations taken by contributor countries to engage non-contributor countries
No record.
Meetings organized by other international organizations to engage in dialogue about peacekeeping
No record.
