Peacekeeping: Assessment of U.S. Participation in the Multinational Force and Observers

Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed U.S participation in the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), focusing on: (1) U.S. contributions to MFO and measures taken to reduce MFO costs; (2) the operational impacts of U.S. participation in MFO; (3) the Department of State's oversight of U.S. participation in MFO; and (4) views of MFO performance and lessons learned.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
Department of State	The Secretary of State should improve the oversight of MFO by examining the MFO annual published financial statements for discrepancies.	Closed – Implemented The agency has changed its operating procedures to include examination of the MFO annual financial statements, and has assured GAO that its 1995 report includes such action.
Department of State	The Secretary of State should improve the oversight of MFO by requesting and reviewing all reports issued by MFO external auditors.	Closed – Implemented The agency has changed its operating procedures to include examination of the MFO annual financial statements, and has assured GAO that its latest report includes such action.
Department of State	The Secretary of State should request MFO to have its external auditor periodically perform a separate audit of MFO management and internal accounting controls and provide a copy to State.	Closed – Implemented State has requested in a letter to MFO that the external auditor periodically perform a separate audit of MFO management and internal accounting controls and provide a copy to State.
Department of State	The Secretary of State should include the U.S. annual assessment cost contribution of one-third of the MFO operating costs in its annual report to Congress on the MFO.	Closed – Implemented The State Department has included the U.S. annual assessment cost contribution of one-third of the MFO operating costs in its 1995 report to Congress on MFO.

Full Report

Full Report (72 pages)

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Topics

Auditing and Financial Management

Civic actionDefense contingency planningDefense cost controlPeacekeepingDefense operationsForeign military assistanceInternal controlsInternational agreementsInternational relationsLogisticsMilitary reserve personnelReporting requirements