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CIMIC ACTORS. Major General Michael G. Smith AO (Retd) Chief Executive Officer AUSTCARE HMAS Penguin 3 April 2006. SCOPE. What is CIMIC? Battlespace or Humanitarian Space? Who are the key CIMIC Actors? Can/how can militaries work with the UN & NGOs? Some CIMIC lessons from East Timor.
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CIMICACTORS Major General Michael G. Smith AO (Retd) Chief Executive Officer AUSTCARE HMAS Penguin 3 April 2006
SCOPE • What is CIMIC? • Battlespace or Humanitarian Space? • Who are the key CIMIC Actors? • Can/how can militaries work with the UN & NGOs? • Some CIMIC lessons from East Timor.
Resources • Australian Defence Doctrine Publication 2004: Civil-Military Cooperation (Operations Series ADDP 3.11) • United Nations Standard Generic Training Module on Civil-Military Coordination • UK Joint Warfare Publication 3-50: The Military Contribution to Peace Support Operations (June 2004) • UK Interim Joint Warfare Publication 3-90: Civil Military Co-operation (Nov 2003) • InterAction DVD on CIMIC
Resources/Websites • UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee • UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), Best Practices Unit – www.un.org • Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG) of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) – www.odi.org.uk • International Peace Academy (IPA) – www.ipa.org
Definitions • Civil-Military Affairs (CMA) • Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) • Civil-Military Co-ordination (CM Cord)
Civil-Military Affairs (CMA) Cooperation Coexistence Competition Conflict At any point in any humanitarian emergency the relationship between any pair of civilian and military actors can be described in these terms. The potential for positive relations varies with objectives and conditions.
ADF Definition of CIMIC • “the coordination and cooperation in support of the mission between the commander and civil actors, including the national population and local authorities, as well as international, national and non-government organisations and agencies.” (ADDP 3.11) • But, this defines CIMIC from a “military” perspective:what ifthe civil and military objectives are not aligned?
CIMIC • CIMIC is one form of CMA that is characterised by: • A relationship of mutual support. • An understanding of common objectives in complex peace operations and humanitarian emergencies. • Based on trust, respect, and separateness. • Exchange of information between military and civil actors. • Aided by joint planning.
CM Coord – UN OCHA • “the essential dialogue and interaction between civilian and military actors in humanitarian emergencies necessary to protect and promote humanitarian principles, avoid competition, minimise inconsistency and when appropriate, pursue common goals.” • A shared responsibility. • A better reflection of the differences and realities between the military and civilian humanitarian actors.
CIMIC works best when: • Security exists. • Civil authority predominates. • International legitimacy is apparent and unambiguous. (Non-belligerent occupation.) • The host-population is supportive. But such situations are rare!
2. Battlespace or Humanitarian Space? • Civil and military endstates are not the same. • Military actions are driven by political objectives. • Humanitarian actions are - or should be - driven by concern for the civil population. • When human rights is a key political objective, potential for cooperation is highest. • If the population is or becomes a military target, cooperation is very difficult for humanitarian actors.
Mission Conditions Stable Need for Security Increases Unstable Failed State Military Missions & Political Conditions Availability and Impartiality of Forces Decrease Peace Enforce-ment Peace- building Peace- keeping Combat Need for Assistance Increases
COMPLEX EMERGENCIES (FAILING AND EMERGING STATES) JUSTICE DEMOCRACY PEACE Human Rights DEVELOPMENT GOVERNANCE SECURITY Resources Financial
CIMIC Actors Donors Foreign Govts UN + Agencies Therefore… …the military cannot work in isolation! Foreign Military NGOs Local Population Host Govt Int Orgs Religious Groups Business Media Competing Interests! Cooperation or Chaos?
4. Can militaries work with the UN ? • Yes and No – and to varying degrees – but mainly Yes (if the UN is understood, resourced & is held accountable) • Which UN are we working with? • DPKO / DPA / OCHA / Agencies • Distinction between humanitarian (OCHA), peacemaking (DPA), and peacekeeping operations (DPKO), but sometimes they are merged – eg East Timor & Afghanistan
4. Can militaries work with NGOs? “ I am serious about making sure we have the best relationship with the NGOswho are such a force multiplier for us, such an important part of our combat team. We are all committed to the same, singular purpose to help every man and woman in need, who is hungry, who is without hope, to help every one of them fill a belly, get a roof over their heads, educate their children, have hope.” Secretary of State Colin Powell to NGO Leaders, 26 October 2001
Can militaries work with NGOs? • Yes and No. It Depends. • NGO principles – humanity, neutrality, impartiality – are sacrosanct. • NGOs wary of “belligerent donors”. • NGOs must abide by their Codes of Conduct and will be held accountable. • NGOs are accountable to their beneficiaries, donors and Boards. • NGOs prefer the military to provide humanitarian assistance only in exceptional circumstances – avoid dependencies.
Understanding NGO Principles • The Code of Conduct for International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief • SPHERE Charter and Minimum Humanitarian Standards • ACFID Code of Conduct (for Australian NGOs) • UN Guidelines on the Use of Military and Civil Defence Assets to Support United Nations Humanitarian Activities in Complex Emergencies • UN Guidelines on the Use of Military and Civil Defence Assets in Disaster Relief (Oslo Guidelines) But, never assume that all NGOs understand and follow these!
Security Logistics Communications Transportation Information (selective) PRIORITISATION Best Areas for Civilian-Military Co-ordination/Cooperation
Grass roots poverty reduction Restoration of livelihoods Water & sanitation Food & nutrition Shelter & site planning Health services Micro-enterprise Protection & human rights Repatriation and resettlement Peacebuilding and conflict prevention Human rights advocacy Core Areas of NGO Humanitarian Assistance
Potential Areas of Discord • Security is threatened • Military invades the Humanitarian Space • Lack of civilian authority • Dependency culture is created • Military denies assistance • Information gathering • Use of Language (eg. ‘humanitarian’, ‘impartiality’, ‘security’)
Working “With” works when: • There is mutual understanding and willingness. • Relationship is based on trust, respect, and separateness. • Exchange of information does not compromise either party. • Joint planning occurs with some actors. • The CMOC, UNHOC and NGO Forum are able to network effectively.
CIMIC Guidelines • Mutual understanding – principles, codes, doctrine, sectors • Conduct more joint training • Civil Authority in charge as soon as possible • Share information without jeopardising security and impartiality • Military provide security and assist humanitarian agencies • Avoid public criticism – only encourages “spoilers” • NGOs – must be better organised • Military – make CIMIC a principle of peace and war
Sep 99 – Feb 00 INTERFET (Stabilization Force) Jun – Oct 99 UNAMET (Ballot) May 02 – May 05 UNMISET (Supporting Mission) East Timor 1999 - 2005 Sep 99 V i o l e n c e Imposed Stability Aug 02 Durable Peace 20 May 02 Independence Self Sustaining Peace?? Oct 99 – May 02 UNTAET (Transitional Administration) PEACEMAKING PEACE ENFORCEMENT PEACE BUILDING PEACEKEEPING
The Peacekeeping ‘Baker’s Dozen’ 1. Speed of Action2. Planning, Leadership and Teamwork3. Legitimacy4. Strong and Achievable Mandate5. Host-Country Support6. International Commitment7. Capable Security Forces8. Separation of Combatants9. Effective Border Control10. Establishing the Rule of Law11. Managing War Crimes12. Responsive Budgets13. Capacity Building
CIMIC LESSONS FROM EAST TIMOR • Centre of Gravity • Changed from being the “militia” to “earning the support of the ET people”. • This change transformed operations, and security improved. • Governance • Neither INTERFET nor the PKF properly understood the traditional system of governance. (See following slide.) • More anthropologists!
Setting: Levels of Local Leadership District - 13 in total. Posto (sub district) 62 in the country, 4-5 per District Suco (village) -500+in the country, 5-10 per Posto Aldeia (hamlet) - 2000+ in the country, 4-6 per Suco
3. Best human intelligence comes from CIMIC • Avoid a false division between intelligence and civil affairs staff – coordinate. 4. Longevity • Leave CIMIC teams in location for as long as possible. Trust requires time. 5. Language • Less important than trust, respect and integrity. • But, a good interpreter is essential.
6. Listen and Learn • Military forces will leave. • Local population will trust those who listen to them. 7. Sustainability • Avoid projects that cannot be sustained when the military depart. No dependencies! 8. Opportunity Cost • Military should only do what civilian agencies and NGOs cannot. • Handover to civilian agencies asap.
9. Force Protection • Enhanced by being close to the people. • Don’t become isolated from the community. 10. IHL and Customs • Always respect local customs and traditions. • Know and apply IHL at all times. 11. Media • Use primarily for the benefit of the local people, not to enhance your unit’s reputation at home.
12. Cooperate with Civil Authorities • Do not control, except when security demands. • Influence and shape decisions by being part of the team – at all levels of governance. • Support police. 13. Understand NGOs • Don’t jeopardise their integrity and security. • Respect their neutrality and impartiality • Protect their information. • Never assume that one NGO represents all NGOs.
Summary – Key Messages • CIMIC is a two-way street - the military is one of many actors • CIMIC is fundamental to all military operations • The best CIMIC is convergence between the “battlespace” and the “humanitarian space” • Effective CIMIC has the host population at the centre of gravity
Donations: 1300 66 66 72 or www.austcare.org.au Email: msmith@austcare.org.au Phone: (02) 9565 9111