October/December 2002
Vol. VIII, No.6/Vol. IX, No.1
Short Takes
The "Odd Jobs" Corps
Asemblance of civil administration was beginning to develop in Kosovo by the time the Special Police Units (SPUs) deployed to the area between 2000 and 2002. Nonetheless, the SPUs—a constabulary force that was part of the UN police—landed among hostile forces, suspicious citizens, and doubtful colleagues. Trained primarily for public disorder management, the SPUs ultimately became a kind of "odd jobs" corps among peacekeeping actors in Kosovo, who also included the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the international security force known as KFOR.
Senior fellow Robert Perito, recently returned from Kosovo, described the original plans for and the eventual reality of the SPUs at a July 25 meeting at the Institute.
Robert Perito, third from left, in Kosovo |
The ten units of 115 officers each from eight countries were trained in their own countries, as complete units, for crowd control in the face of public demonstrations and violence. Their actual responsibilities included static guard duty at events, prisons, factories, and UN facilities; escorting refugees; border patrol; and arresting organized crime figures.
When it came to fulfilling their original mandate, the SPUs faced serious obstacles, including logistical challenges, miscommunication with KFOR, and an ever-changing scene on the ground. These problems caused misunderstandings, impacted cooperation and preparedness, and ultimately caused causalities, Perito said.
As the area stabilizes, the services of the SPUs and other peacekeepers are giving way to a nascent local administration. The SPUs will be replaced by similar units of the Kosovo Police Service (KPS).
Humanitarian Tools of Engagement
Senior fellow Eric Schwartz presented a project report on September 24 on "Tools of Engagement: Saving Lives, Restoring Community, and the Challenge of Humanitarian Response."
Do failed states really matter? asked Schwartz. They do matter, he said, but which ones and how to respond remain open questions among policymakers.
Schwartz reviewed policy from the Clinton administration, with which he served, and the Bush administration—particularly since September 11, 2001. He said that the American response in Afghanistan suggests some important changes in doctrine, if not in practice.
Schwartz bemoaned the fact that the international community has been slow to make good on their pledges for Afghan reconstruction. He said that only 30 percent of promised assistance had actually come through.
The Bush administration, though reluctant to commit American troops to international peacekeeping, has provided military support for "peace stabilization" to peacekeepers in Afghanistan. Further, American support for the international security assistance force (ISAF) in Afghanistan and consideration of its expansion beyond the capital "signal substantial U.S. engagement." This bolstered his description of a new-found consensus that "these issues can often be of critical importance to U.S. national security."
Education and Peace for Mindanao
The Institute's Education Program joined the Asian Institute of Management in Manila in September for a certificate course on the role of peace education in response to conflict in Mindanao, Philippines. Education program officer Alan Tidwell and program director Pamela Aall facilitated the seminar. Former Institute fellow Amina Rasul-Bernardo also participated in the seminar.
Representatives from four universities, mostly based in Mindanao, took part in the meeting. Four tangible outcomes resulted:
- a rapporteur's report describing the highlights of the meeting;
- an additional meeting among the heads and representatives of five universities to talk about possible next steps including establishment of a peace education network, a regional or national peace institute, and a peace education program in Mindanao;
- a listserv of all participants that remains active; and
- keen interest from the vice governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, who is also the secretary of education, in setting up a peace education program for high school principals in Mindanao who could then train their high school teachers.
Naoto Kan Discusses Japanese Foreign Policy
An effective Japanese foreign and security policy needs informed, active citizens and a successful relationship with the United States, according to Naoto Kan, secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and seven-term member of the House of Representatives.
Kan spoke at an August 14 briefing with Washington-area Asia experts co-hosted by the Institute's Research and Studies Program with the Mansfield Center for Pacific Affairs. Kan was accompanied by Motohisa Ikeda, also a DPJ member of the House of Representatives.
The DPJ was originally established by Kan in 1996 and the "new" DPJ was formed in April 1998, unifying four existing parties.
Kan emphasized that the success of the U.S.-Japanese relationship is a central priority of the DPJ's foreign policy agenda. He explained that his vision for the future includes increasing the capacity of Japanese citizens to make responsible and informed decisions regarding their country's foreign and security policies.
Virtual Diplomacy Directors Contribute to Security Conference
In July 2002, Virtual Diplomacy Initiative co-directors Sheryl Brown and Margarita Studemeister helped develop themes for the 2002 Dwight D. Eisenhower National Security Conference, entitled "National Security for the 21st Century: Anticipating Challenges, Seizing Opportunities, Building Capabilities," held in September in Washington, D.C. The conference was co-sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Conference Board, the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Non-Profit Management, the Lexington Institute, the United States Army, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Net Assessment).
