ALFRED C. LUGERT (Ed.)
Peace Keeping Forces Today and Tomorrow
Proceedings of the Blue Helmet Forum Austria 2005 held in the Rothschild Castle in Reichenau, Lower Austria from 30 May – 01 June 2005
Vienna, October 2005
AL FR ED C. LUGERT (E
d.)
Peace Keep ing
Forces mo d To y an Toda
rrow
Procee ding
s of the Bl ue H
elm et For
um A ustr ia 200
5 er u, Low ichena Re in stle Ca thschild e Ro n th held i
Austria f rom 30 M
ay – 01 Ju
ne 2005
Vienn a, Octob
er 20 05
Peace Keeping Forces Today and Tomorrow
Content Introduction by the Editor,
Colonel Alfred C. LUGERT, Austrian Armed Forces Reserve
7
Welcome Address to the ‘Blue Helmet Forum Austria’ 2005,
Austrian Federal Minister of Defense, Günther PLATTER
25
Welcome Speech by the President of the Blue Helmet Forum,
General Günther G. GREINDL, Austrian Armed Forces, (Ret).
27
Opening Presentation,
Prof. Erwin A. SCHMIDL, Senior Researcher, Austrian Defense Academy
31
Ongoing UN Operations and New Challenges in Peacekeeping,
Major General Patrick C. CAMMAERT, Royal Dutch Marines, General Officer Commanding Eastern Division of MONUC, Democratic Republic of Congo
49
Peace Keepin g Forces
Today and Tomorrow
Conten t
Introduction by the Editor,
Colonel Alfred C. LU GERT, Austrian Armed
Forces Reserve 7
Welco me Ad dress to th e ‘Blu
e Hel met F oru m
Austria’ 2005
, Austrian Federal Minister of Defense,
Günther
PLATTER 25
Welco me S peech by th e Presi
den t of th e Blu
e m, oru et F Helm
General Günther G. GREINDL, Austrian Armed
Forces, (R et).
27
Op enin g Presen tation
, Prof. Erwin A. SCHMID L, Senior Researcher, Austrian Defense Academy 31
Ongoing UN Operations and New
Challenges g, in ekeep Peac in
Major General Patrick C. CAMMAERT, Royal
Dutch Marines, Genera l Officer Commanding
Eastern Division of MONUC, Democratic
Republic of Congo
49
The Changing Face of United Nations Peacekeeping,
Colonel Colm DOYLE, Irish Armed Forces, UN Department of Peace Keeping Operations
61
United Nations, Civil Society and Peace Soldiering,
Ms. Nasra HASSAN, Director United Nations Information Service, UN Vienna
73
Future Military Peacekeepers: Warriors and Sheriffs, Fighters and Constables?,
General Roland ERTL, Chief of General Staff, Austrian Armed Forces
77
The Multinational Stand-by High Readiness Brigade for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (SHIRBRIG). Concept and Future Developments,
General Günther G. GREINDL, Austrian Armed Forces, (Ret).
83
Peacekeeping Forces Today and Tomorrow, Regional Capacity Building - the European Union Model,
Brigadier General Ian ABBOTT, OBE, British Army, Assistant Chief of Staff Policy and Plans Division, European Union Military Staff
95
Eastern Africa Standby Brigade, What Capacities Does it Require,
Colonel Peter MARWA, Kenyan Army (Ret.) IGAD HQ DJIBUTI
117
The Changing Face of United
Nations , eeping cek Pea
Colonel Colm DOYLE, I rish Armed Forces, UN eping Operations Department of Peace Ke 61
United Nations, Civil S
ociety an d
Pea
ce ng, Soldieri
Ms. Nasra HASSAN, Director United Nations
Information Service, UN Vienna 73
Fut ure Milit ary Pea cek eep ers : Warrior
s and s?, able onst s and C ighter fs, F Sherif
General Roland ERTL, Chie f of General Staff, Austrian Armed Forces 77
The M ult inationa l St and-by H
igh Readi nes s
Bri gade f or Un ited Nation
s Peacekee pin g
Operation s (SHIRB
RIG). Con cep
t and ts, men re Develop Futu
General Günther G. GREINDL, Austrian Armed
Forces, (R et).
83
Pea cekee pin g F orces Tod
ay and Tom orr ow,
Regional C apac
ity Bui lding -
th e Eur ope
an l, ion Mode Un
Brigadier General Ian
ABBOTT, OBE, British Army, Assistant Chief of Staff Policy and Plan
s
Division, European Union Military Staff
95
Eastern Africa Stan
dby Brigade, What uire eq t R ties Does i Capaci ,
Colonel Peter MARWA , Kenya
n Army (Ret.)
IG AD HQ DJ
IB UTI 117
Transformation of Armed Forces to meet the new challenges of Peace Support Operations.
Case study Denmark,
Brigadier General Bjarne HESSELBERG, Royal Danish Army, (Ret).
131
Principles of the Austrian Security and Defense Policy and Current Results for the Structure of the Armed Forces,
Captain Rudolf LOGOTHETTI, Austrian Armed Forces Reserve, Senior Researcher, Directorate General for Security Policy, MOD
155
Peacekeeping Forces Today and Tomorrow - Troop Contribution, Ambitions and Limitations,
Major General Günter HÖFLER, Austrian Armed Forces, Commander Austrian International Operations Command
163
Dinner Speech: Austria’s Security Policy and the Concept for Future International Operations,
Brigadier General Gustav GUSTENAU, Austrian Armed Forces, Deputy Director of the Directorate General for Security Policy
171
Peace Support Operations in Africa. A Perspective from Nigeria,
Major General Suraj ABDURRAHMAN, Nigerian Armed Forces
173
Tran sform ati on of Armed F
orces to meet the
new c halle nges o
f P eac e Suppor t O
per ati
ons. ark, Case study Denm
Brigadier General Bjarne HESSELBERG, Royal Danish Army, (R et).
131
Pri nci ples of the Au
strian Secu rity an d
Defen se Pol icy an d Cu
rrent Resu lts f
or the
Stru cture of the Ar
med F orces, OGOTHETT Captain Rudolf L I, Austrian
Armed Fo rces R
eserv e, Seni
or Rese archer,
Direct orat e General
for S ecurity
Pol icy , MO D
155
Pea cekee ping Forc
es T oday and Tom orr
ow -
Troop C ont
ribut ion, A
mbit
ions and , ons itati Lim
Major General Günter HÖFLER, Austrian Armed Forces, Commander Austrian
International Operations Command
163
Din ner S peech : Austri
a’s Secu rity Pol icy an d
the Con cept f
or Futu re In ternati
on
al s, eration Op
Brigadier General Gustav GUSTENAU, Austrian Armed Forces, Deputy Director of the
Direct orate Gen
eral for Securi ty Pol
icy
171
Pea ce Suppor t Ope
rat ions in Afr
ica. A
Persp ective f
rom Nigeri
a, aj ABDURRAHMAN, Major General Sur
Nigerian Armed Forces 173
Mission experience, the Practical Aspects of Peace Soldiering: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA),
Brigadier General Karl-Alexander WOHLGEMUTH, Austrian Armed Forces, Military Advisor to the SRSG and Head of Military Component, United Nations Assistance Mission Afghanistan
189
Closing Remarks,
General Günther G. GREINDL, Austrian Armed Forces, Ret.
203
Acknowledgment 207 Program of the ‘Blue Helmet Forum Austria 2005’
209
Missi on exp erien
ce, the Practi cal Asp
ects of Nation e United ng: Th dieri ce Sol Pea
s
Assistance Mission in Afg hanist
an
(UNAMA), Brigadier General Karl-Alexander
WO
HLGEMUTH, Austrian Armed Forces, Military Advisor to the SRSG and Head of
Military Component, United Nations As sistance
Mission Afghanistan
189
Closing Remarks ,
General Günther G. GREINDL, Austrian Armed
Forces, Ret.
203
Acknowledgm ent 207
Prog ram of th e ‘Blu
e Hel met Foru m Au
stria
2005’
209
Introduction by the Editor
Colonel Alfred C. LUGERT, Austrian Armed Forces Reserve
Under the general topic of ‚Peace Soldiering‘, the Austrian Blue Helmet Association in cooperation with the Directorate General for Security Policy of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defense, with the Austrian National Defense Academy, with the Austrian International Operations Command and with the media cooperation of the Austrian daily newspaper ‚Die Presse‘, has organized a Blue Helmet Forum Austria 2005: ‚Peace Keeping Forces Today and Tomorrow‘, held at the end of May 2005 at Schloss Rothschild in Reichenau south of Vienna.
This publication contains the presentations of selected high ranking military and civilian experts - with first hand knowledge of the present situation and planning - held at the Blue Helmet Forum Austria 2005, dealing with the military aspects of present-day and future ‚Peace Soldiering‘.
The use of internationally mandated military forces to assist in the political efforts to achieve peaceful solutions for crisis regions of various size and conflict intensity is nothing new, but has been interpreted and performed in changing modes. In general the paramount role of the United Nations has been widely accepted, but after the end of the ‚Cold War‘ new gates for ‚peace missions‘,
‘peace operations’ or ‘peace support operations’ were
Introduct ion by th
e Editor
Colonel Alfred C. L UGERT, Austrian Armed For
ces
Rese rve
Under the gene ral t opic of ‚P eace Sol
die ring
‘, the ation in cooperation with elmet Associ Austrian Blue H
the Di rectorat
e Genera l for S ecurity
Pol icy of the
Austrian Federal Ministry of
De fense, with
th e Austri
an an Austri the with cademy, Defense A National
Inter nationa l Oper
ations Comma nd and with th
e me dia
cooperation of the Austrian dail
y newspap
er ‚ Die
Presse‘, has organiz ed a Blue Helme t For
um Austr
ia orrow‘, y and Tom Forces Toda eeping 2005: ‚Peace K
held at the end of May 2005 at Schloss Roths child in
Reichenau south of Vienna. This publication contains the present
ati ons of select
ed
high ra nking milita
ry and c ivilian e
xpe rts - with f
irst and planning the present situation hand knowledge of
-
held at the B lue Helme t Forum Austria 2005,
dealing
with the milita ry a
spec ts of pres ent- day and f uture ‚ Pea
ce ng‘. Soldieri
The use of inte rna
tionall y ma ndate d milita ry f
orc
es to ul solutions cef pea ieve s to ach ort eff political assist in the
for crisis re gions of v
ari ous size and conflict int
ensit y is
nothing new, but has b een interpret
ed and pe rformed in
changi ng modes.
In gen eral the par
amount role of the cepted, but y ac n widel United Nations has bee after the
end of the ‚Cold W ar‘ new gates for ‚pea
ce missi ons‘,
‘peace oper ations’ or ‘peac
e support operations’ were
opened for other organizations and individual countries (esp. the United States) sometimes without the global - and also without the regional/local - consent. The United Nations tried to encompass the various needs to achieve
and to keep peace1, but some nations found it to be easier
to operate under different auspices in order to achieve the aspired results. Some missions are operating under a lead nation without a UN mandate, many missions are mandated by the UN but conducted under another international organization like NATO, and a large number of missions are direct UN operations. Recently, an unprecedented surge in peacekeeping operations under UN command can be seen, bringing the UN back as the main organization in the ‘service of peace’ for the world.
To encompass the whole range of international military missions to maintain a peaceful world, the terms ‘peace operations’, ‘peace support operations’, but also ‘(wider) peace keeping (in general)’ are used. Soldiers in ‘peace operations’ - even with mandates to enforce peace - are called ‘peacekeepers’, especially in the international media. In general: The overall purpose of all these military operations is (or should be) to keep peace in a world of conflict. The military instruments to achieve it are manifold.
The very basics for ‚Peace Soldiering‘ have not changed
in history2: The military peace forces must meet standard
opened for other orga niza tions and individual countries
(esp. the United States) sometimes without the gl obal -
and also without the regi
onal/local - consent. The United mpass the nco ied to e Nations tr vari
ous need s to ac
hie ve
and to keep pe
1 ace , but some nations found it to be easier
to operate unde r differ
ent auspices in ord er to
achieve th
e a lead under aspired results. Some missions are operating
nation without a UN manda te, many missi
ons are
mandated by the UN
but conducted und er another
intern ationa l organiza
tion like NATO, a nd a la
rge ecentl UN operations. R number of missions are direct
y,
an unprecedented sur ge in peacek
eeping oper ations under
UN command can be s een, brin
ging the UN b ack
as the world. ace’ for the f pe main organization in the ‘service o
To enc ompa ss the whole
ran ge of intern
ationa
l military term rld, the eful wo eac in a p missions to mainta
s ‘pe ace
operations’, ‘pea ce support ope
rations’, but also
‘(wider)
peace keepi ng (i
n ge nera l)’ ar e used. Sol
die rs in ‘peac e
operations’
- even wi th mandat es t o enfor ce pea
ce - ar
e ional rnat nte he i in t ally ’, especi cekeepers d ‘pea calle
media. In gener al: The overall purpose of al l these
military op erations is (or should be) to keep pe
ace in a nts to achie ume ry instr e milita lict. Th conf world of
ve it
are manifold.
The very basi cs for ‚P
eace S oldiering‘ have not change
d
in history
: The milita 2
ry p eac e f orc es must me et st
anda rd
see: 1
DOYLE, Mich ael W ., Di scove rin g t he Li mit s an
d nd ., a ra A d Peacemaki , Ola ng an NO TUN : O g, in d.) Peacemaki ekeepin W., (E eac chael l of P tentia Po DOYLE, Mi ng fo
r
the N ew C entu ry, Lanham 1998, p.
2 ff. cally ori ist s – h ime nt t rece more In 2 speaki
ng - ‘peace
keepin g op erati on s’ may b e gi
ven a st artin g dat e al ready i n
1 see: DOYLE, Michael W., Discovering the Limits and
Potential of Peacekeeping, in: OTUNNO, Olara A., and DOYLE, Michael W., (Ed.) Peacemaking and Peacemaking for the New Century, Lanham 1998, p. 2 ff.
2 In more recent times – historically speaking - ‘peace
keeping operations’ may be given a starting date already in
military specifications which include of course the ability to fight, but at the same time the military peace forces should be able to use all other military and civil-military cooperation potentials, skills and activities within the wide system of conflict prevention, mediation, confidence building measures, and post-conflict peace
military spec ifi cations whic h include
of c ourse the a bilit y
to fig ht, but a t the sa
me time the mil
itary peac e for
ces military y and civil- all other militar should be able to use
cooperation potentials, skills and activities within the
wide system of conflict prevention, m
ediation, es, and post-conflict peace sur building mea idence conf
the 19
centu th
ry. Later, ju st aft er Wo rld War I
, peace g in re- tin sis g. as ere used e. s w on g operati keepin
drawin g of
so me Eu ropean f
ron tiers righ t after th
e war in
1919/1920, eace f p es o typ rent iffe of d ries y a se wed b follo
missio ns unt
il s. ited Nation the Un ation of nd ou the f
Th e firs t United N ation s M iss ion is dated w ith
29 May 1948.
In orde r to assist in a tru ce in th e Arab-I sraeli di
spute ove
r the pon alled u t the : “A ncil c ou C the UN rity ecu ion by s S on pervis Nati su ited mit its o per e the Un tin ies t Pales part
insi sten ce of the Un ited States
, an d with a vi ew to ex clu din
g ere s w rver bse ry O Milita ne, e sce from th et Union ovi the S
soug ht o nly from Belg iu m, France a
nd herse lf.
... A bo
ut ne an e sce ed to th y mov ickl were qu ers fic armed of 100 un
d, irst he f elped t g, h d persuadin , an stigating inve ing, by observ
truce to work fai rly well. T hey id en tifi ed th eir tem por
ary ifo un nal atio eir n th ds on ban ng UN arm us by weari stat
rms,
the distin ctiv
e blue bere t no
t bein g used by
UN Peac lan, , A ES AM ” J til 1956. un eepers peacek
ekeepin
g in tegic tra or S itute f nst ional I nat nter s, I olitic al P ation tern In
Stu dies, N ew Yo rk 1990, p. 153
It sh ould be added, that th
e United Nati ons pu
blicatio n “ Th
e 21 n 50 (1948) tio NTSO ... me U ... Resolu beco rts: “ uld wo s of what UN 1990 repo asi ets” he b elm d t e H Blu forme
observ ers eac h f rom th e States
members of th e Tru
ce tates nited S d the U ce an ran m, F Belgiu on ( mmissi Co
), w ith a
furthe r five seni or st aff offi
cers co ming from .... Swe de n, ..
.. nel l person ica hn ry tec uxilia ed 10 a uppli es s tat e United S Th
such as ai rcraft pi
lo ts an d radio
op erator s. The Secre
tary- e st t rom th o assi ited f arters, t ards, recru Headqu rce at e 51 gu ty fo ilabl curi de ava at’s se tari eral ma Gen Secre
he
milit ary o bse rvers.” Un ite
d Nat io ns, “Th e Bl ue He lm
ets” UN 16-17 1990, p. on blicati Pu
the 19th century. Later, just after World War I, peace keeping operations were used e.g. assisting in re-drawing of some European frontiers right after the war in 1919/1920, followed by a series of different types of peace missions until the foundation of the United Nations.
The first United Nations Mission is dated with 29 May 1948.
In order to assist in a truce in the Arab-Israeli dispute over Palestine the United Nations Security Council called upon the parties to permit its supervision by the UN: “At the
insistence of the United States, and with a view to excluding the Soviet Union from the scene, Military Observers were sought only from Belgium, France and herself. ... About 100 unarmed officers were quickly moved to the scene and, by observing, investigating, and persuading, helped the first truce to work fairly well. They identified their temporary status by wearing UN armbands on their national uniforms, the distinctive blue beret not being used by UN
peacekeepers until 1956.” JAMES, Alan, Peacekeeping in International Politics, International Institute for Strategic Studies, New York 1990, p. 153
It should be added, that the United Nations publication “The Blue Helmets” UN 1990 reports: “ ... Resolution 50 (1948) formed the basis of what would become UNTSO ... 21 observers each from the States members of the Truce Commission (Belgium, France and the United States), with a further five senior staff officers coming from .... Sweden, ....
The United States supplied 10 auxiliary technical personnel such as aircraft pilots and radio operators. The Secretary- General made available 51 guards, recruited from the Secretariat’s security force at Headquarters, to assist the military observers.” United Nations, “The Blue Helmets” UN Publication 1990, p. 16-17
building. To achieve and maintain peace is one of the foremost national and international tasks. A historic sequence of peace operations in terms of ‘first, second and third generation‘ is not verified in reality. Each time, and each peace mission has - and will have in the future – to include different instruments to respond to various challenges in peacekeeping “where the borderline between war and a peacekeeping operation is not always obvious” (as Major General Patrick C. Cammaert pointed out in his presentation), a parallel and not only a sequential operation according to the UN Chapter VI and
Chapter VII might well be necessary.3 Present-day UN
Peace Keeping Missions like the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) are an example of the dual ‚use‘ of the two UN Chapters in real
‚peace soldiering‘.
The Four Sessions of the Forum
Following an Opening Presentation, the four sessions of the Blue Helmet Forum Austria 2005 focused on the topics: ‚Force Requirements Today and Tomorrow, on
‚Capacity Building‘, on ‚Troop Contribution, Ambitions and Limitations, and on ‚Mission Experience, the
build ing . To achi eve an
d mai nta in peace i s one of t
he
for emost na tional a
nd inte rna tional ta
sks. A histor ic
sequence of peac e operations
in terms of ‘first, second is not veri ration‘ d gene and thir
fie d in r ealit y. Each time ,
and ea ch p eac e mission h as -
and will h ave
in the future –
to include different inst
ruments to respond to various cekee n pea nges i challe ping
“wher e t he bo rderlin
e
between war and a pea
cekeepin g op
eration is not alwa ys
obvious” (as Major General Pa
trick C. Cammae rt pointed
out in his presentation), a parallel and
not onl y
a nd I a V Chapter UN to the ding cor ation ac ntial oper seque
Chapte r V II migh t well
be nec essar
3 y.
Present-d ay
UN
Peace Keepi
ng Missi ons lik
e the U N Mi
ssion i n t
he an UC) are of Congo (MON Democratic Republic
exam ple of t he dual ‚use‘ of the t
wo UN Chapt ers i n real
‚peace sol die ring
‘.
The Four Sessions of the F
oru m
Following an Openin
g P resentation, the fou r sess
ions of
the Blue H elmet F
oru m Austria 2005 focused on the
topics: ‚Force Requirem ents Toda
y and Tomorr
ow, on ‚Troop Contribution, Am Building‘, on ‚Capacity
bitions
and Limita tions, and
on ‚Mission Ex peri
enc e, the
Th 3
e same goes fo
r the da y-to- day operat ion in
peace lle ara of p inuum ont ve c cti effe an where ns, sio mis l t
asks
hav e to be applied in
dealin g with the v ariou s regional an
d al ciple ner prin his s to ge . T els ell a as w all lev s on lution so der t re n lea nflic ivilia co nd c litary ry a lita es to mi local mi appli soci al co nfl ict reso lu tio n. Se e: MAYER, Bern
ard, Th
e 2000, p. sco anci Fr an tion, S olu t Res nflic Co s of amic Dyn 222
ff.
3 The same goes for the day-to-day operation in peace
missions, where an effective continuum of parallel tasks have to be applied in dealing with the various regional and local military and civilian leaders on all levels. This principle applies to military conflict resolution as well as to general social conflict resolution. See: MAYER, Bernard, The
Dynamics of Conflict Resolution, San Francisco 2000, p. 222 ff.
Practical Aspects of Peace Soldiering‘. Three guest speakers gave additional special presentations.
Opening Presentation: Peace Operations – A Dynamic Concept
Professor Erwin A. Schmidl4, Senior Researcher at the
Austrian National Defense Academy points out in his opening presentation: “The United Nations Organization as well as United States parlance at this moment still favors ‘peace operations’ as an ‘umbrella term’ for international missions of the peacekeeping, peace enforcing, or humanitarian variety. Because the term
‘peace operations’ is rather vague, the British (Interim) Manual 5/2 (‘Operations other than War/Wider Peacekeeping’) of 1994 introduced the term ‘Peace Support Operations’ (PSO) to better describe the aim of such missions: to support the preservation or restoration of peace in an international context, usually under a mandate from the United Nations or another international body. Since then, the term ‘peace support operations’ is increasingly used in NATO documents. In non- anglophone countries such as Austria or Switzerland, PSO are sometimes misinterpreted to refer only to more robust (‘enforcement’) missions, not to traditional ‘blue helmet’ peacekeeping (such as separation of forces, or monitoring of an armistice agreement). But this is an
Pract ical Aspect
s of Peac e Sol
die ring
‘. Three guest
speakers gave additional special
present ati ons.
Op enin g Presen
tati on:
Pea ce Op
erati on s – A
Dynam ic Con cept
Professor Erwin A.
Schmidl
, Senior Resea 4
rche
r at the y points out in his Academ Austrian National Defense
opening p resent ation: “T he United Nations Or
ganiz ation
as we ll as Unite
d States pa rla
nce at this mome nt still
favors ‘peac e operat
ions’ as an ‘um bre
lla ter
m’ for pe ing, eep cek l missions of the pea ationa intern
ace
enforcing , o r humani
tar ian vari ety.
Be cause the t
erm
‘pe ace opera tions’ is r
athe r vag ue, the B ritish (I
nterim) ar/W Manual 5/2 (‘Operations other than W
ider
Peacek eeping’
) of 199 4 introduced the term
‘Peac e
Support Operations’ (PSO) to better des
cribe the
aim of t the preservation or restoration such missions: to suppor
of peace in an internat ional context, usuall
y under a
manda te f rom the United Na
tions or a nother inte
rnationa l
body.
Since then, the ter m ‘peac
e support operations’ is y used in NATO documents. I increasingl n non-
anglophon e countries such as Austria or Switz
erland,
PSO are sometime
s misin terp rete d to refe
r onl y t o mor
e nal ‘blue missions, not to traditio ement’) robust (‘enforc
helm et’
peacekeepi ng (s
uch as separation of for ces, or
moni tori ng of an armis
tice a greem ent). But
thi s i s an
Erw 4
in A. S CH MID L, au thor of v ariou s pu blication s in
the th hed lis ub ntly p ece ry r s ve ry, ha sto ary hi ilit f m d o fiel
e
newe st e dit io n of hi s b oo k “Go ing Inter nati ona l – In t
he a 2005 ienn e”, V Peac ice of Serv
4 Erwin A. SCHMIDL, author of various publications in the
field of military history, has very recently published the newest edition of his book “Going International – In the Service of Peace”, Vienna 2005
incorrect interpretation, not consistent with relevant UN, U.S., or NATO documents.“
Force Requirements Today and Tomorrow
Items of great interest presented by the speakers of the first session of the Blue Helmet Forum Austria 2005 were the recent surge in UN peacekeeping and the complexity of the mandates and the need for strategies with a longer time-frame to consolidate peace. This consolidation process, often referred to post-conflict peace building needs to be taken very seriously, also because it goes counter the concept of rapid intervention with a very time limited, short duration. Presently we see 18 UN Missions with more than 65,000 uniformed peacekeeper, about half of the missions operating in Africa. A multitude of mandates and a multitude of crisis situations are demanding parameters for planning and operations. Major General Patrick C. Cammaert, Division Commander points out in his presentation, that the “ ...
Key is to generate sufficient troops, prepared, trained, equipped and adequately supported, to do an extremely difficult task in challenging circumstances”. Further items of Major General Cammaert’s presentation included: ‘Field Intelligence’, ‘Joint Mission Analysis’ in respective cooperation with military and civilian elements of a mission, strategic reserves – complementary to the ‘Battle Group’ initiative by the European Union, capacities for ‘High Tempo Operations’
using military aircraft’s, attack helicopters and the use of special forces. It was pointed out, that – contrary to some international concepts not to use military peacekeepers incorrect interpret
ation, not c onsistent with relevant UN,
U.S., or NATO documents.“
Forc e Re quirem
ent s Today and Tom orr
ow
Item s of gre at i nte rest p resent ed b y t he sp eakers
of the
first session of the Blu e Helmet F orum Austria 2005
were the re cent sur
ge i n UN pea cekeepi
ng and the
comple xit
y of the ma
ndate s and the need
for strateg
ies . This te peace to consolida rame time-f ger with a lon
consolidation process, ofte n refer
red to post- conflict
peace building needs to be taken very se
riously, also rapid intervention es counter the concept of because it go
with a very time limited, short duration. Pres
ently we se e
18 UN Missions with more than 65,000 uniformed
peacekeep er, about half
of the missions operating in
Afri ca.
A multitude of ma
ndate s and a multitude of c
risis
situations are demanding pa rameters fo r planning and
operations. Major Gen era l Patrick C. Cammae
rt,
Division Commander points out in his presentation, that t
he “ ...
Key is to g ene
rate suff icient troops, prepar ed, trained,
equipped and adequatel y s
upported, to do an ex
tremely s”. F nce ircumsta g c llengin in cha task ult diffic
urthe r
items of Major
Ge ner al Ca mmaert’
s pre sen tation
include d: ‘Fie
ld In tellig ence’
, ‘Joint Mission Ana lys
is’ in civilian tary and with mili respective cooperation
elements of a mission, strategic reserv
es –
complementary to the ‘B attle Group’ initiative b
y th e
European Union, cap acities fo
r ‘High
Tempo Operations’ opters helic ttack s, a ft’ cra air ry using milita
and th e use of
special forces.
It w as poi nted out, that – contrary
to some
intern ationa l conce
pts n ot to use military
peac ekeep ers
for humanitarian relief projects – e.g. ‘spare military engineer capacity (should be used) to the maximum effect to assist in encouraging the local economy, rebuilding school infrastructure, road reconstruct etc. in combination with keeping the peace.” (Cammaert)
In order to be able to perform all these difficult tasks the UN and its Department of Peace Keeping (DPKO) is trying to improve the situation of the coordination of the military peace keeping forces to generate military capabilities through planning, preparation and training, to provide resources and to regulate the deployment of the missions to be established. He also pointed to the important issue of the reinforcement aspect to an existing mission with a strategic reserve which might well be needed to achieve a long term success and to enable “ ...
a surge capability to cover peak activities for which a Mission does not posses the necessary resources.” It was discussed, that the manpower needed for this purpose, should include reservists, resp. well trained reserve components, in addition to active component troops.
Colonel Colm Doyle, Chief of Staff of the Military Division of DPKO) explained in his presentation: “The
‘Concept of Operations’ developed by DPKO is intended to provide the broad outline of the plan, to justify the number of troops and the resource requirements after which it should be handed over to the Mission to be refined by the Force Commander.”
for huma nitar ian re lief pr oject
s – e .g.
‘spa re milita ry
engin eer cap acity (should
be used) to t he m axi
mum onomy, local ec g the couragin effect to assist in en
rebuilding school infrast ructure, road reconstru
ct etc. in
combi nat ion wi th keepi ng t
he p eace.” (C amm
aert)
In or der to be
ab le to p erf orm a ll these dif
fic ult tasks the
UN and its Departm
ent of Peace K
eeping (DPKO) i
s n of the dinatio the coor the situation of ove g to impr tryin
military pea ce ke epin g for
ces to gener
ate milita ry
cap abilitie s throug
h planning , prep
ara tion and tr
aining , to
provide resources and to regu
late the deplo ym ent
of the to the missions to be established. He also pointed
im portant issue of t he reinforcem
ent aspect to an ex
ist ing
mission with a str ateg ic r ese rve whic h migh
t we
ll be ble “ ... a long term success and to ena needed to achieve
a surg e ca pabilit y to c ove r pe ak activitie s for
whic h a
Mission does not posses the necessa ry
resources.”
It
was discussed, that the manpower needed for this purpose,
should include reservis ts, resp. well tr
ained reserv e
components, in addition to active component troops.
Colonel Colm Do yle
, Chief of Staff of
the Military
Division of DPKO) ex plained in his pres
entation: “The
‘Concept of Ope rations’
developed by
DPKO is intended plan, to of the oad outline the br to provide
justify the
number of troops and t he re
source requirement
s after
which it should be han ded over to the Missio
n to be ce Commander.” For refined by the
Capacity Building
The second session of the blue Helmet Forum Austria 2005 dealt with the issue of capacity building for international peace operations. The Austrian Blue Helmet Association and Forum President General G. Greindl, former Force Commander in three UN missions, gave an in-depth presentation about the Stand-by High Readiness Brigade (SHIRBRIG) for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. Capacity building, addressed by the concept of SHIRBRIG, and future developments were the key topics. The initiative for such a rapid deployment force stemmed from the 1995 ‘Supplement to an Agenda for Peace’ establishing units from a number of member states, trained to the same standards, using the same operating procedures and being inter-operable with corresponding equipment, and also taking part in combined exercises at regular interval. General Greindl explained the three elements of the organizational framework: The Steering Committee, the Planing Element and the Brigade Pool of Forces. Training, concept development, and finance were discussed.
Regarding future challenges, the issues of Chapter VII versus Chapter VI of the UN Charter were presented, as well as commitment vs. participation, decision shaping versus decision making, globalization vs. regionalization, and partnership vs. membership.
The role of the European Union, the European Security and Defense Policy, and the EU military capacity building was presented and discussed subsequently.
Brigadier General Ian Abbott, the Assistant Chief of Staff of the Policy and Plans Division (European Union Capacit
y Buildi ng
The second session of the blue Helmet Forum
Austria building fo y capacit 2005 dealt with the issue of
r
intern ationa l peac
e op erations. The Austria
n B lue He lmet
Association and Forum Pres ident Ge
nera l G. Grei
ndl, e an ons, gav N missi hree U r in t mande om Force C former
in-dept h pres
entat ion ab out t
he S tand-b y Hi gh R eadiness
Brigad e (SH
IR BR IG) fo r Unite
d Nations P eac
ekeepi ng
Operations. Capacit y bui lding, addr
essed by t he
concept e the ke , and future developments wer IG BR of SHIR
y
topics. The initiative
for suc h a
rapid de ployment f
orc e
stemmed from the 1995 ‘Supplement to an Agenda for
Peace’
establ ishi ng units
from a num ber of
mem ber
state s, trai ned to the same
standa rds, using the
same
operating procedu res a
nd being inter-op erabl
e with part in nt, and also taking corresponding equipme
combi ned ex ercises at
re gul ar i nte rval . General
Grei ndl
expl ained t he t
hree el ement
s of t he org
ani zat ional
fra mewo rk: The Steer
ing Committe e, the
Pla
ning ces. Training, For Element and the Brigade Pool of
concept development, and finance w
ere discussed.
Rega rdin g f utur e c halleng es, the
issues of Chapter V
II ed, as esent er were pr hart he UN C f t I o er V versus Chapt
well as commitment vs. partic ipation, decision shaping
versus decision making, globaliz ation vs. regi
onaliz
ation, and partnership vs. membership.
The role of the European Union, the European Securit y
and Def ense Policy
, and the EU milita
ry capa cit
y y. nd discussed subsequentl d a nte s prese building wa
Bri gad ier Ge nera l Ia n Ab bott, the Assista
nt Chie f of Staff
of the Policy and Pla ns Division (European Union
Military Staff) gave a detailed overview about EU’s security strategy, ESDP – European security & defense policy, the crisis management process, EU – military command and control structures, capabilities – headline goal 2010, battle group concept, civilian capabilities, civilian headline goal 2008, CIMIC, international cooperation, and training and exercises. Regarding the ESDP reality, Brigadier General ABBOTT pointed out:
“On the basis of the political-conceptual framework described thus far, within a few years of its creation ESDP has now become reality. ... It is true that the ESDP is in its infancy, but a lot has been achieved. ESDP is in the field. Since 2001, the political-military structures, the Brussels based ESDP planning and decision making “machinery” ... is up and running. The NATO-EU arrangements substantiating their strategic partnership have passed their first tests. A number of exercises were conducted simulating the preparation of EU-led operations both with and without recourse to NATO. In total, seven civil and military missions have been successfully launched in the past five years. ... To sum up, regarding ESDP a lot has been achieved, but a lot remains to be done. The EU has acquired a strategic dimension. It has been recognized that the EU’s profile will to a large extent remain that of a ‘Civilian Power’, as trade and development continue to play an essential role to promote security and stability. At the same time, the EU’s capabilities both in the military and civilian domain have been - but need to be further - improved, in particular in terms of rapid reaction. Regardless of the EU’s efforts and achievements in this respect, its capacity to make an impact depends on its co-operation with its strategic partners.”
Military Staff ) gave a deta iled ove rvie
w abou t EU’s
security strat egy , ESDP
– Eu ropean securit
y &
defense U – ocess, E ent pr em isis manag cr policy, the
military
comma nd and
contr ol str uct ures , ca pab ilities – h ead line
goal 2010, battle grou p concept, civilian capabilities, civilian headline goal
2008, CIM IC, inter national
cooperation, and trainin g and
exercises. Re gard
ing the
ESDP reality, Bri gadi er General ABB
OT
T pointed out: eptua -conc political sis of the n the ba “O
l f rame wor k
described thus far, with in a few ye
ars of its c reation
ESDP has now become realit y. ...
It is true that the
ESDP is in it s infancy
, b ut a lot has be
en a chie
ved. ESDP is in the field. Since 2001, the political-militar y
struct ures, the
Brussels based ESDP planning and
decision making “m achiner
y” ... is up and running
. The ateg ir str ting the s substantia ent gem ran NATO-EU ar
ic
partnership have pass ed their first tests. A nu
mber of
exercises we re conduct
ed simulating the prep
aration of without recourse to with and EU-led operations both
NATO. In total, se ven civil a nd military
missions have
been successfull y laun
ched in the past five ye
ars. ... To
sum up, rega rding ESD P a lot has been
achieved, but a EU has acquired lot remains to be done. The a strate
gic
dimension. It has been
reco gniz ed that the EU’s
profile
will to a la rge ex tent r ema in that of
a ‘ Civilia n Power’
, a
s ole ial r ssent n e to play a nt continue velopme nd de e a trad
to promote secu
rit y a nd sta bilit y. At the same time
, the
EU’s c apa bilitie s both in the
military and c ivilia n doma
in - improved, in to be further - but need have been
particular in terms of ra pid reaction. Re gardless
of the
EU’s effort s and achi
eve ment s in t his respect, i
ts capaci ty
to make an impact
depends on its c o-o
per ation
with its rs.” c partne egi strat
Capacity building experiences from Africa were presented by Colonel Peter Marwa, Chief of Conflict Prevention with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) with its HQ in Djibuti. Colonel Marwa reported about the Eastern Africa Stand-by Brigade, the necessary capacities for peace support operations and the achievement of the desired expectations. Colonel Marwa explains that there are 50,000 peacekeeping troops presently operating in Africa. This number will increase drastically when the UN peace keeping operation in Sudan will reach full capacity. The presentation and discussion focussed on EASBRIG’s concept, the overall peace and security architecture in Africa, issues of humanitarian law, funding, training, cooperation with SHIRBRIG, linkage with the UN and with the African Union.
Troop Contribution – Ambitions and Limitations The third session of the Blue Helmet Forum Austria 2005 dealt with the issue of ‘Troop Contribution – Ambitions and Limitations’. Brigadier General Bjarne Hesselberg took the opportunity to present the recent transformation of the Danish armed forces to meet also the needs for international troop contribution and the resulting ambitions and limitations. Topics raised were: The global development trends, the threat environment, the primary international organizations (US, UN, NATO, and EU), Denmark’s cooperation with relevant international organizations, internationally deployable military capabilities as well as homeland security, including the Capaci
ty build
ing experi
ences from Afri
ca wer e
pres ente d by Colone l Pete
r Ma rw a, Chie f of
Conflic
t ity on al Author nment over terg In ention with the Prev
Deve lopment (I
GAD) with its HQ in Djibuti. Colone
l
Marwa reported about the Eastern A
frica Stand-b
y ace support y capacities for pe e, the necessar gad Bri
operations and the achievement of th
e desired
expect ations. C olonel
Marwa ex plai ns that there are
50,000 peacekeepin g t roops presentl y op
erating
in hen t ly w ical increase drast ber will s num Africa. Thi
he
UN peace keep ing op era tion in Sudan will r
each f ull
capacit y.
The presentati on and discussion focu
ssed on securi peace and all he over concept, t RIG’s EASB
ty
architect ure i n Afri ca, i
ssues of humani tarian l aw,
funding, trainin g, coop
erati on with SHIR
BR IG
, linkage Union. with the UN and with the African
Troop C ont
ribut ion – Am
bitions and L imit
ati ons
The third session of the Blue Helmet F orum Austria 2005
dealt with the issue of ‘Troop Contribution – Am
bitions ne Hesse jar ral B Gene adier rig . B imitations’ and L
lberg
took the opportunity to present the recent tr
ansformation
of the D ani sh armed
forces t o m
eet also t he n
eeds for international troop contribution and the r esulting
ambitions a nd limitations. Topic
s ra ised w ere : The glob
al
development trends, the threat environment, the primar
y
international orga nizations (US, UN, NAT
O, and EU), relevant inter ration with Denmark’s coope
national
orga nizations, inte rna
tionall y d eplo yab le military
cap abilitie s as we
ll as home land se
cur ity , including the
ability to counter terrorist acts and their effects, conscription of short duration with training for a reserve component in the homeland security (Total Defense Force), a consideration to integrate the Voluntary Home Guard into the armed forces, and changing the structure of the Danish armed forces. Furthermore the topic of veterans was presented with an increased role of the
‘Danish Blue Beret Association’ for activities related to soldiers before, during and after their participation in peace operations.
The principles of the Austrian security and defense policy and the current plan to re-structure the Austrian armed forces, presented by Captain Dr. Rudolf Logothetti, Senior Researcher with the Austrian MOD, added some insight how another EU country tries to transform her forces to meet new challenges. Austria being one of six EU member states being outside the NATO membership ‘club’ (like Sweden, Finland, Ireland Malta and Cyprus) focuses on participation in the European Security and Defense Policy differs in this respect from Denmark. Austria’s Defense Doctrine was identified together with the full ESDP participation within the Maastricht treaty. Dealing with general considerations, a paradigm shift in Europe new risks and threats replaced formerly clear security and threat perceptions. Captain Logothetti mentioned two items contained in the Austrian Defense Doctrine: "the commitment for Human Rights and Public International Law, and the central role of the UN which is a clear commitment to multilateralism and that corresponds to the European Security System.” A presentation of the
ability to counter ter
rorist acts and their eff
ects,
conscription of short dura tion with training for
a reserv
e Defense security (Total component in the homeland
Force), a conside
rat ion t o i nte grat e the Volunt ary Home
Guard int o t he arm ed fo rces, and chang
ing the s truct
ure opic of rmore the t Furthe forces. of the Danish armed
vete rans w as pre
sen ted with a n inc
rea sed r ole of the
‘D anish B lue
B ere t Assoc
iation’
for ac tivities r
ela
ted to ipation i rtic ir pa r the fte and a ing e, dur for soldiers be
n
peace oper ations.
The princi ples of the
Austri an securi
ty
and defense ture the struc to re- lan ent p urr nd the c policy a
Austr ian
armed forces, pr esented b
y Captain D r. Rudolf
Log othe tti, Senior
Rese arc her
with the Austrian MOD, w another EU added some insight ho country tries to
transform her
forces t o m eet n ew challe
nges.
Aust ria
being on e of six EU member states bein
g outs
ide the Ir inland, like Sweden, F b’ ( clu rship ‘ NATO membe
eland
Malta and C ypr
us) f ocu ses on pa rtic
ipation in the
European S ecurity
and Defense P
oli cy di ffers i
n t his
respect from Denm ark. Austri
a’s Defense
Doctrine was ull ESDP pa with the f ther ied toge identif
rti cipa tion
within the Ma astr icht trea ty.
Dealing with g ene
ral
considerations, a paradigm sh
ift in Europe new risks and ly cl ed former s replac threat
ear securi ty and
threat
perc eptions. Ca ptain
Log othe tti mentione
d two items
contained in the Austrian Defens e Doctrine: "
the rnationa nte nd Public I hts a Human Rig nt for commitme
l
Law, a nd the ce
ntral r ole of the UN
which is a c lea r
commitment to multilateralism and that corresp
onds to
the Europe an Securi
ty Syst em.”
A present ati on of t he
Austrian Armed Forces Organization concluded his presentation.
Major General Günther Höfler, Commander of the Austrian International Operations Command, presented the core information about Austria’s participation in peace keeping and peace support missions. It was mentioned that Austria showed her commitment to support peace keeping missions already in 1960, five years after Austria had joined the United Nations.
“Currently, Austria has deployed more than 1,200 troops and individual soldiers abroad in a total of 14 missions, reaching from the Balkans over the Western Sahara and the Near East as far as to Ethiopia and Eritrea.”, Major General Höfler explained. His presentation gave insight into the attempts to maintain and to improve the quality of the Austrian peacekeeping troops by using a special evaluation and progress reporting system. A clear view on topics and needs is important. Logistics are always big challenges when deploying soldiers to foreign countries.
Regarding the personnel needed, Major General Höfler explains that the Austrian armed forces have to deal with the principle of voluntariness, which goes for active duty personnel as well as for reservists. The task to find the best trained soldiers willing to go abroad is difficult.
“However, Austria is very lucky in this matter as the Austrian Armed Forces consist of both active duty soldiers and reservists, which gives us a bigger selection to find the right person. To be honest, it is not only manning that counts but also the know-how reservists bring from their ‘civilian life’. .... So the Austrian Army needs reservists in order to be able to contribute to peace on earth.”, Major General Höfler adds. He concludes:
Austrian Armed F orc es Or ganiz ation conclu ded his
presentation.
Major Gener al Günthe r Höfler, Commande
r of the
Austrian Intern ational Op
erations Command, presented
the core information about Austria’s participa
tion in support missions. It peace eping and peace ke
was
mentione d that Austr
ia showe d he
r commitme nt to
support peace keeping missions alread y in 1960, five
year s aft er Austr ia had joine
d the United
Nations. yed more than 1,200 eplo “Currently, Austria has d
troops
and individual soldiers abroad in a total of 14 missions,
reaching from the
Bal kan s over the
West ern Sah
ara
and ea.”, Maj a and Eritr hiopi o Et as far as t the Near East
or
General Höfle r ex
plained. His present ation gave
insight
into the a ttempts to ma intain a
nd to improve the qualit
y g a special troops by usin of the Austrian peacekeeping
evaluation and progress reporting s
ystem. A cle ar view
on topics and ne eds is important.
Log istics a re
alway s bi g
cha lleng es whe n de
ployi ng soldie rs to f
ore ign c ountr
ies. ral Höfler el needed, Major Gene g the personn Regardin
expl ains t hat the Aust rian arm
ed for ces have t
o deal with
the principle of voluntari ness, which
goes fo r active dut
y reservists. The task to find the personnel as well as for
best tr aine d soldiers
willing to go
abr oad is dif
fic ult.
“H oweve r, Austr ia is v
ery lucky in this ma tter a
s the consist of both active dut orces Austrian Armed F
y
soldiers a nd res
erv ists, whic h gi ves us a bigger
selection
to find the rig ht person
. To be honest, it is n ot only
manning that counts but also the know-ho
w re
servists life’. .... So the Austrian Army rom their ‘civilian bring f
needs reservists in o rder
to be able to contribute t
o peace
on earth.”, M ajor G
ene ral Höfler
adds. He concludes:
“As you can see, in Austria peacekeeping and peace support operations have become a core task for the armed forces, and it is situated at the same level as the need for home defense.”
Mission Experience, the Practical Aspect of Peace Soldiering
In session four, Major General Suraj Alao Abdurrahman, Director of Policy at the Defense HQ in Lagos, Nigeria, elaborated the Nigerian perspective regarding peace operations in Africa. As discussed earlier, he also spoke about the UN as being the “pre-eminent international authority with the most resources at multinational level for dealing with global security ...” Furthermore he pointed to the role of regional organizations – established under the UN Charter – to deal with conflict management. “Regional action can have both, advantages and disadvantages. States in the region concerned have national interests in the stability of their local environment and are more likely to be willing to take part in peace operations that are closer to their homeland.
Moreover they will be more familiar with regional cultures and attitudes than outsiders. On the other hand, sometimes states in the region may be too close to the issues and may have their own agenda. Conflicting interests and lack of mutual trust may undermine the peace process. There may also be inadequate military and other resources available for peace operations.” To explain Nigeria’s commitments and experiences, Major General Abdurrahman focused on topics like: Nigeria’s Commitment and Sacrifices, Starting peace operations
“As you c an see, i
n A ust ria peacek eeping
and peace
support operations have become a core task fo
r the armed as t evel e l the sam ed at tuat s si t i forces, and i
he need for
home defense.”
Missi on E xperi ence, t he P rac tical Aspect o
f P eace
Soldiering In session four, Major Genera
l Suraj Alao Abdurrahman,
Direct or of Pol
icy at t he De fense HQ in L
ago s, Nig eria,
elaborat ed t
he Ni geri an perspe ctiv
e regardi ng p eac
e ussed earlier, he also spoke operations in Africa. As disc
about the UN as b eing the “pr
e-eminent inte rnational
author ity with the most
resour ces a
t multina tional le
vel more he Further l security ...” loba for dealing with g
pointed to the role of regiona l organizations – established
under the UN Charter – to deal with conflict
manage ment. “Regional
action can hav e both, advanta
ges
and disadvantages. States in the region concerne
d have
nationa l intere
sts in the stabilit
y of their loc
al
envir onment a
nd a re more likely
to be willin g to t
ake par
t meland. closer to their ho rations that are in peace ope
Moreove r they will be mor
e fa miliar with re
gion al
cultures and attitudes than out
siders. On the other hand, ion ma reg s in the s state sometime y be
too close to the
issues and may hav e their own ag
enda. Conflicting
interests and lack of mutual trust may
undermine the quate ade so be in al re may ocess. The e pr peac
military and
other resources availab le for peac
e operations.” To
expla in Nig eri
a’s c omm itments a
nd expe rie nce s, Major
General Abdurrahman f ocused
on topics like: Nig
eria’s rations e ope peac , Starting ices crif and Sa Commitment
