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Private Militaries:Myths and Missions
Security for a New Century107th Congress
Friday, April 13th, 2001
Presented by Doug Brooks, [email protected]
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 PrivatizationDriven 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?
NSPsNonlethal Service
Providers
PSCsPrivate Security
Companies
PMCsPrivate 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 peaceValue 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 InternationalPMC
London – multinational
Sierra Leone, PNG
ICI of OregonNSP/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 effectivenessProtecting 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. UNPeace Operations in Sierra Leone
EOCost $36m
($1.2m month)
Avg. 150 troops
Secured Capital
Recaptured Mines
Routed RUF
Won the War
UNCost $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 capableNATO quality – often elite forces
Less likely to suffer casualties - less likely to withdraw due to casualties
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 moneyNot mercenariesProviding useful servicesCost effectiveConstrained financially, legally and ethicallyAbleWillingCapable of making international peace operations work
