“Visibility” is the basic difference in the attitude of a tactical combatant and that of a peacekeeper. It may even be the same person, using the same hardware; but the behavior changes considerably. Acting with “visibility” is an important part of that change.
– “The combatant wants to see without being seen, while the peacekeeper wants to see and also to be seen.”
In UN operations, that is also applied. If it is a Peacekeeping operation (Article 6 of the UN Charter) the blue helmets will be tasked to verify peace agreements and separation lines, therefore they want to see and they want to be seen by the opposing factions, not only as a deterrence tactic but also as an assurance of UN support to their well-being.
In the other hand, if the UN mission is a Peace Enforcement operation (Article 7 of the UN Charter), then combat engagements are on the table and the blue helmets will act as combatants, wishing to see but not to be see; until, of course, the situation is solved, and they should pass to Peacekeeping mode.
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