Friday, June 25, 1999 Published at 13:22 GMT 14:22 UK
Rapid-reaction role for UK troops
The troops would move quickly into trouble-spots around the world
Thousands of UK soldiers are to help form the United Nations' first major rapid-reaction peacekeeping force.
Civilian police officers will also be made available to enter world trouble-spots.
Under the plan UK troops will be made ready to join any UN-commanded force at only a few days' notice, Mr Cook told UN secretary general Kofi Annan.
The force will be "brigade strength" - between 6,000 and 8,000 soldiers.
It is expected to be made up of elite troops and specialists such as engineers and communication experts.
Speaking before the announcement, Mr Cook said: "The problem for the UN is that every time there is a fire they have had to get down the blueprint and start to build a fire engine.
"At least now they will have the components for the fire engine.
"We will be giving the UN an undertaking that when called upon we are prepared to commit [troops] for an operation.
"We will earmark some so they are ready to be used when the time comes."
France has also agreed to allocate troops to the force.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Mr Annan, Mr Cook said the UK would retain a veto over the use of its troops.
"It will always remain our decision to respond to the decision [of the UN] but I do not think we have let you down yet, Kofi."
The UN secretary general said he was grateful for the commitment and added that the initiative will help solve one of peacekeeping's toughest problems - the swift deployment of troops.
He said: "In the midst of all this, the government announce, out of the blue, that 8,000 men are to be put on permanent standby for the UN, with no explanation as to how this commitment is to be met in terms of manpower or cost, or indeed how the British armed forces can maintain their basic ability to meet British defence needs."
For the Liberal Democrats, foreign affairs and defence spokesman Menzies Campbell welcomed the move but said more troops would be needed.
He said: "Sooner or later the Labour government is going to have to grasp the nettle of increased defence expenditure."