ATHA Core Training Interaction with Multi-National Forces Raj RANA thewolfgroup.org ATHA Civ-Mil Interaction
Aim Is humanitarianism exclusive? (Un)Changing Environment Old recipes/new world? Are we victims of our own success?
Aim What is the issue? What has changed? What does it look like? What are the impacts? Are there rules?
Snapshot 1
Snapshot 1
Snapshot 2
Snapshot 2
Pause
Pause Is this not humanitarian action?
How is this different from mainstream humanitarianism? What does this mean for purely civilian actors sharing the same environment? How do others perceive this? What is the scale of this?
What is the issue? CIMIC is the co-ordination and co-operation, in support of the mission, between the NATO Commander and civil populations, including national and local authorities, as well as international, national and non-governmental organizations and agencies. interface; public face, press campaign, intelligence cooperation, coordination, information sharing, security briefing,...humanitarian projects, reconstruction, nation
What is the issue? CIMIC armed forces is the co-ordination looking for a new and co-operation, role in post in support Cold War of context the mission, between the NATO Commander and civil populations, including national rise of peace-keeping and local authorities, then peace-enforcement as well as international, national and non-governmental organizations need to be seen and as agencies. taking action interface; development public of face, new roles press campaign, intelligence cooperation, coordination, information sharing, security briefing,...humanitarian projects, reconstruction, nation
What is the issue? protest the militarization of humanitarian action risk of such UN-mandated peacekeeping forces becoming belligerents simplistic debate about coordination, principles of last resort, armed escorts, intelligence vs. information
What has changed? Kosovo Crossroads humanitarians lost the thread new threshold for military-humanitarian action- NATO, KBR, joint deployments military consolidated their learning and experience wave of new policies and doctrine
What does it look like? Provincial Reconstruction Teams UN Mission Integration DPKO Quick Impact Projects Global Military Training/Exercises
What does it look like? Tsunami 2005 military faster and equally professional new wave of enthusiasm for military divergence of perspectives in the humanitarian community- for, against, indifferent integrated missions debate, nation/regional evolutions (PCRU, NATO/EU)
What are the impacts?
What are the impacts? Blurring of the lines
What are the impacts? Blurring of the lines
What are the impacts? Blurring of the lines SECURITY
What are the impacts? Dueling Banjos The violence directed against humanitarian aid workers has come in a context in which the US backed coalition has consistently sought to use humanitarian aid to build support for its military and political ambitions... providing aid is no longer seen as an impartial and neutral act, endangering the lives of humanitarian volunteers and jeopardizing the aid to people in need. Only recently, on May 12th 2004, MSF publicly condemned the distribution of leaflets by the coalition forces in southern Afghanistan in which the population was informed that providing information about the Taliban and al Qaeda was necessary if they wanted the delivery of aid to continue. Statement by MSF, Afghanistan, 28 July 2004
What are the impacts? Dueling Banjos The violence directed against humanitarian aid workers has come in a context in which "We need the US to put backed more coalition military effort has consistently into the country," sought he to added. use humanitarian "We must aid apply to build ourselves support more for energetically its military and for political one more ambitions... year in order providing to win." aid is no longer seen as an impartial and neutral act, endangering the lives of humanitarian volunteers and jeopardizing "Military effort the alone" aid to people was not in need. enough to win the battle, Gen Richards said. "Our civilian partners must improve the speed and scale of their reconstruction and development effort, sufficient to keep pace with the people's Only recently, on May 12th 2004, MSF publicly condemned the distribution of leaflets expectations," he added. by the coalition forces in southern Afghanistan in which the population was General Richards, NATO Commander, Afghanistan, 23 January 2007 informed that providing information about the Taliban and al Qaeda was necessary if they wanted the delivery of aid to continue. Statement by MSF, Afghanistan, 28 July 2004
What are the impacts? Dueling Banjos 'NGOs say white four-wheel-drive vehicles have traditionally been used by the UN The violence directed against humanitarian aid workers has come in a context in which "We and aid need agencies the US to put in backed more conflict coalition military zones effort to distinguish has consistently into the country," themselves sought he to added. from the use humanitarian "We military. must aid apply to build ourselves support more for energetically its military and for political one more ambitions... year in order providing to win." The white colour has come to represent impartiality and aid independence, is no longer seen and as an impartial and neutral act, endangering the lives of humanitarian volunteers and jeopardizing "Military those who effort seek the alone" to provide aid to people was not aid in need. enough on the to basis win of the need, battle, Ashley Gen Richards Jackson, said. Oxfam s "Our communications civilian partners officer, must told IRIN. improve the speed and scale of their reconstruction and development effort, sufficient to keep pace with the people's Only recently, on May 12th 2004, MSF publicly condemned the distribution of leaflets expectations," When the military he added. use white vehicles this undermines aid workers identity and can by the coalition forces in southern Afghanistan in the population was General make it easier Richards, for us NATO to be Commander, confused with Afghanistan, the military, 23 which January can 2007 worsen our security informed and our access that to providing the communities information who need about our the vital Taliban services, and Ingrid al Qaeda Macdonald, was necessary protection and if they advocacy wanted manager the delivery of the of Norwegian aid to continue. Refugee Council Statement (NRC), by MSF, told Afghanistan, IRIN in Kabul. 28 July 2004
Are there rules?
Are there rules? Principle of last resort no equivalent resource exists on the civilian market
Are there rules? Oslo Guidelines (1994) Military-Civilian Relations (1995) Military/Armed Escorts (2001) MCDA Guidelines in Complex Emergencies (2003) Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Reference Paper (2004) UN CMCoord Concept (2005)
Policy vs. Reality?
Policy Glossy vs. Policies Reality? vs. Dusty Realities
Policy Glossy Old Recipes vs. Policies Reality? for vs. a New Dusty World? Realities
And Beyond? Refuseniks Principled Pragmatists Uncertains Integrationists
And Beyond? Institutional Isomorphism Refuseniks Principled Pragmatists Uncertains Integrationists
And Beyond? Institutional Isomorphism Refuseniks Principled Pragmatists Uncertains Integrationists
Where are we now? armed forces taking on civilian roles/tasks has become a mainstream approach- Afghanistan, Iraq, Haiti, Sierra Leone, Liberia, DRC... distinction between combat and PSO is increasingly vague limit our criticisms: states/armed forces meeting their obligations under IHL is part of the ideal of war increasingly pluralist community of neutral, humanitarians
Questions? Is humanitarianism exclusive? (Un)Changing Environment Dusty Policies vs. Glossy Reality Old recipes/new world? Are we victims of our own success?
Simulation Following the recent security incident, the HC, following lengthy consultations with the UN Country Team, humanitarian stakeholders, donors, and Qumarese authorities, has decided to impose the use of armed escorts on UN agencies operating in Birani province. It follows naturally that the UNMIQ peacekeepers will assume this task.
Simulation Please divide into 3 groups, each representing NGOs, the UN peacekeeping contingent and the Qumarese authorities. Task: For the next 20 minutes, consider the following: - present your position on the decision to adopt armed escorts - how will you concretely implement this new policy? - beyond the use of armed escorts, how can you contribute to improved security?