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Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Defence On Behalf of the International Peace Operations Association (IPOA) Private Security Company Association of Iraq (PSCAI). Presented by Doug Brooks, IPOA President www.IPOAonline.org. 22 May 2006 Cape Town, South Africa. Presentation Goals.
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Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on DefenceOn Behalf of theInternational Peace Operations Association(IPOA)Private Security Company Association of Iraq (PSCAI) Presented by Doug Brooks, IPOA President www.IPOAonline.org 22 May 2006 Cape Town, South Africa
Presentation Goals • Not a legal brief. • Conceptual goal of legislation? • What will effect be? • What really needs to be fixed?
Overview • SA sets PKO standard for ethical nations • South Africa a leader in peace making • Brokering peace agreements • 2,000 personnel in PKOs - 10th in world • USA is 33rd in world • IPOA rank? • More SA civilians in PKOs than pol/mil • Legislation could undermine PKOs • Costs of peace would rise significantly • Many int’l efforts are at risk by loss of SAs • Licensing delays costs lives
PSCAI Insights • PSCs vital to the reconstruction of Iraq • PSCAI works to ensure registration, regulation and operational rules • Proactive establishing laws in Iraq • Legislation as written is counterproductive and runs counter democratic ideals • Broad net penalizes professional and ethical along with targeted PSCs
UN Perspective • Dr. Shaista Shameem • Companies not “engaged in violation of human rights and impeding the right of peoples to self-determination” not a problem . . . • UN uses of private sector . . . • Security of UN operations • Logistics and support – surge capacity • Int’l Ops have own legitimacy • Special license from the SA gov? • U.S. gov? Slovenian gov?
“Merc” definition • Article 47 of the 1977 Additional Protocol of the Geneva Conventions – to be merc: • 1)Choose to fight in a conflict; • 2)Actually fight in the conflict; • 3)Motivated by personal gain; • 4)Not be from the area; • 5)Not be sent by a state; • 6)Not member of the military. • Problematic, real definition: Any foreigner or business person we don’t like. • Focus should be on specific crime committed.
Key Points • Peace & Stability Industry critical to Int’l Ops • Industry supports efforts to remove bad bits • Transparency good • Enhance accountability • Int’l law, MEJA other remedies • Law would undermine PKOs world wide • Which certainly is not the goal! • Good to require transparency and standards • Code of Conduct!
IPOAInternational Peace Operations Association • Not for Profit. • Industry Assn. But . . . • Improve PKO and Stability Operations - Goal. • Codes of Conduct. • Industry Standards. • Regulation and Law. • Advocacy, Education, Outreach.
END Doug Brooks President International Peace Operations Association (IPOA) +1 (202) 464-0721 Dbrooks@IPOAonline.org www.IPOAonline.org