Private Militaries: Myths and Missions Security for a New Century 107th Congress Friday, April 13 th, 2001 Presented by Doug Brooks,

About me... BA in History from Indiana University (’84) Worked as teacher in Zimbabwe (’84-85) MA in History from Baylor University (’89) Worked at the Institute of International Education (’89-95) Ph.D. Studies Pitt, GSPIA (to present) Bradlow Fellow, SAIIA (Sept. ’99-Dec. ’00) Founding IPOA with Coley Hudgins (Apr. ’01)

Outline I.What are “Private Militaries?” II.Who are PMCs? III.Why do PMCs matter? IV.PMC Potential.

I. What Are “Private Militaries”? Threats Or Opportunity?

What are Private Militaries? Are Private Military Companies (PMCs) just modern mercenaries? Depends on your definition... “Foreign soldiers who fight for money,” or UN definition “Mercenary” is derogatory term, and deceptive. Most PMCs have more to do with training than with combat.

What are Private Militaries? Logical Step in Worldwide Privatization Driven by worldwide demand for security – post Cold War vacuum. In many places in the world the basic human needs of food, warmth and shelter are being subordinated to the need for security. Private companies decided they could do security tasks more efficiently than old state system. How many PMCs are there?

NSPs Nonlethal Service Providers PSCs Private Security Companies PMCs Private Military Companies Mine Clearance Logistics & Supply Risk Consulting Industrial site Protection Humanitarian Aid Protection Embassy Protection Military Training Military Intelligence Offensive Combat PA&E Brown & Root ICI of Oregon ArmorGroup Wackenhut Gurkha Security Guards Executive Outcomes A Sandline International A MPRI P Military Service Providers (MSPs)

PMC Services Training (Passive) Basic Military Civil Military Relations Special Forces Presidential Security Maritime protection Surveillance and Reconnaissance (Passive)

PMC Services Combat Support (Active) Medical and Evacuation services Combat insertion Actual Combat (Active) Strategic Advice Heavy Weapons Support Air Support

Reality Check: Money Makes the World Go Round MSPs exist to make profits Currently MSPs thrive on mitigating effects of conflict Investors recognize the value of peace Value of concessions... Save cost of security, infrastructure, salaries Peace is MUCH more profitable than war Globalisation = economic rationalization War is extremely uneconomical Why not use these companies to end Wars?

II. Who are PMCs? Pillagers Or Paladins

Famous Firms - I Executive Outcomes (EO) “Active” PMC South African - multinational Angola, Sierra Leone, PNG MPRI “Passive” PMC Alexandria, VA - American Nigeria, Colombia, Balkans, Equatorial Guinea

Famous Firms II Sandline International PMC London – multinational Sierra Leone, PNG ICI of Oregon NSP/PMC Salem, OR – American & Russian Liberia, Sierra Leone, Haiti

Famous Firms III Dyncorp – Colombia, East Timor, Balkans SCI – Tim Spicer AirScan – Surveillance, Angola, Wildlife ArmorGroup/DSL – Security, Demining

II. Why PMCs Matter Threat to World Order Or New World Order?

Political Will Proxies Bold security policies require political will PMCs make bold policies possible, costing less political will DynCorp in Colombia MPRI in Bosnia Difference between dead reservists and dead soldiers If Colombia, why not Sierra Leone?

Larger implications... Are states losing their legitimate monopoly of violence? In most developing countries, the violence is rarely legitimate. Armies are a much, much greater threat to own governments than to external invaders. An end to the Age of Sovereign States? An evolution towards Management States.

IV. PMC Potential Old Strategy: Perpetuate Wars New Strategy: End Wars

PMC Potential PMCs have proved their effectiveness Protecting commerce in conflict zones Protecting humanitarian operations Professionalizing State Militaries Stabilizing tottering democracies Enhancing regional security organizations Why not take the next step: End Wars?

EO vs. UN Peace Operations in Sierra Leone EO Cost $36m ($1.2m month) Avg. 150 troops Secured Capital Recaptured Mines Routed RUF Won the War UN Cost $500m + ($60m+ month) Avg. 10,000 troops Evacuated Capital Gave RUF tanks Gave RUF hostages Lost the Peace

Insurmountable Problems with the UN’s Conflict Ending Mechanisms Chapter 6 vs. Chapter 7 mandates – irrelevant Lack of strong peace agreements Quality of proffered troops – Poor man’s NATO? Fear of robust action Politics, red tape and delays Expense Size – 17,000 in Sierra Leone Members lack political will

Unassailable Answers to UN Problems: PMCs Faster – deploy in weeks not months Cheaper – rule of thumb: 10% UN PKO Smaller – hundreds vs. thousands Neutral – no political agenda More transparent and more accountable Militarily capable NATO quality – often elite forces Less likely to suffer casualties - less likely to withdraw due to casualties

Why are PMCs so cost-effective? Quality of PMC personnel Personnel Highly trained in elite units Equipment selected for specific mission Experience, intelligence info, communications

Why are PMCs so cost-effective? Nature of wars in Developing World Primary victims are civilians (few military) Use of child soldiers and low tech weapons Lack of underlying causes World Bank Report: Wars about money Quality of opposition Lack of military training Lack of military equipment Lack of legitimate political motivation (no “cause” to fight for)

Can we control PMCs? How do we prevent these powerful companies from backing the wrong guys? Controls – Legal, Financial, Ethical. Contractual – bonuses and penalties Legitimization = Control... What about unscrupulous Clients? Mining Companies Despots

Ethics of PMCs What is unethical about PMCs? Soldiers in any army are paid UN pays contributing members $1,000/mo What’s difference with giving a mandate to contracted private firms? What is ethical about allowing small wars to continue for decades? Who else is willing to do it?

PMCs are... Motivated by money Not mercenaries Providing useful services Cost effective Constrained financially, legally and ethically Able Willing Capable of making international peace operations work

END Doug Brooks IPOA (202)