The Global Conflict Prevention Pool - A joint UK Government approach to reducing conflict
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MINISTRY OF DEFENCE The Global Conflict Prevention Pool A joint UK Government approach to reducing conflict
Page
Contents
Glossary ...............................................2
Foreword ...............................................3
Introduction ...............................................4
The UK’s conflict prevention role and the Conflict Prevention Pools . . 6
Section A: Tackling conflict around the world
The Afghanistan strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
The Balkans strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
The Belize and Guatemala strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
The Central and Eastern Europe strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
The India and Pakistan strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
The Indonesia and East Timor strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
The Middle East and North Africa strategy . . . . . . . . . . . 23
The Nepal strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
The Russia and the Former Soviet Union strategy . . . . . . 27
The Sri Lanka strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Section B: Supporting the strategies
The security sector reform strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
The small arms and light weapons strategy . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Section C: Strengthening international response
The EU civilian crisis management strategy . . . . . . . . . . . 36
The OSCE and CoE strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
The UN strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Annex: Strategy budget allocations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
1
Glossary ASEAN
BMATT
Association of South East Asian Nations
British Military and Advisory Training Team
CEE Central and Eastern Europe
CHAD Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department (part of DFID)
CoE Council of Europe
DDR Disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration
DFID Department for International Development
DPA Department of Political Affairs (United Nations)
DPKO Department of Peacekeeping Operations (United Nations)
EU European Union
FCO Foreign and Commonwealth Office
FRY Former Republic of Yugoslavia
MEPP Middle East Peace Process
MOD Ministry of Defence
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
NGO Non-governmental organisation
OAS Organisation of American States
OCHA United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian
Affairs
ODIHR Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
(part of OSCE)
OHCHR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights
OSCE Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
SALW Small arms and light weapons
SSR Security sector reform
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNHCR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund
UNIFEM United Nations Development Fund for Women
UNTAET United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor
2
Foreword The cost of conflict in terms of
lives lost, communities divided and
The UK government strongly
believes that through a process of
livelihoods devastated is immense. team working across these
The cost to the UK and the wider departments, from policy
international community of formulation to programme
resolving violent conflicts and delivery, a more strategic and cost-
their aftermath is substantial. effective approach to conflict
Preventing conflict is both better reduction can be realised.
and more cost-effective than Activities of the Global Pool seek
resolving it. Preventing conflict is to harness the expertise available
also vital if we are to promote within these government
international security and stability, departments across a wide range
protect human rights and reduce of sectors including development,
poverty. It is therefore a security reform, public
fundamental responsibility of the administration, good policing and
international community to find equitable justice systems.
ways to stop violent conflict from
erupting or re-igniting. This report highlights how this
groundbreaking initiative in
The UK has been successfully joined-up government has begun
working in the field of conflict to enhance the UK government’s
prevention and reduction for contribution to conflict prevention
many years. But we want to keep and management. A secure, safer
improving the effectiveness of our and more peaceful world, with
work. We have therefore begun to increased prosperity and a better
approach conflict-related work by quality of life worldwide are our
combining the different aims. Working to prevent and
perspectives of security, foreign reduce conflict is a major step on
policy and development to achieve the road to achieving these.
coherent and creative solutions,
seeking to address the underlying
causes of conflict as well as
tackling the consequences.
The UK’s Global Conflict
Prevention Pool, along with the
Africa Conflict Prevention Pool, is
one such initiative. The Global
Pool, established in 2001,
combines the knowledge and
resources of the Ministry of
Defence (MOD), the Department
for International Development
(DFID) and the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office (FCO).
It has a unique funding
arrangement specifically voted by
parliament for conflict prevention
and reduction.
3
The Global Conflict Prevention that 90 per cent of conflict victims
Introduction Pool and the Africa Conflict are civilians.2 While human beings
Prevention Pool were set up by the killed, wounded or fleeing for
UK government with the aim of their lives may be the most visible
reducing the number of people and emotive consequence of
around the world whose lives are conflict, the effects go wider and
affected by violent conflict and, deeper.
ultimately, of cutting the number
of conflicts that occur. This report Conflict devastates economies,
looks at how the Global Pool has robbing people of their
been working towards these livelihoods. It damages
targets in the two years to March infrastructure, which then affects
2003. health, welfare and education
systems. Money is often diverted
The Global Pool was born out of from essential services to the
Thousands of Afghan people were the ‘joined-up government’ military to try to stabilise the
displaced during two decades of
conflict initiative, which encourages situation and provide security.
departments to integrate their Lack of economic confidence and
policy-making and programme stability deters investors, while
delivery. The Pool has brought allowing unregulated or ‘shadow’
together the conflict prevention economies to thrive. Conflict-
work of the Foreign and affected countries are fertile
Commonwealth Office (FCO), ground for criminal activities such
Ministry of Defence (MOD) and as narcotics production and
Department for International smuggling, money laundering and
Development (DFID), helping the theft of resources to fund
them increase the impact of what transnational organised crime.
they do through better co-
ordination and common Conflict also damages society,
strategies. breaking down social cohesion,
separating families and destroying
The effects of conflict traditional cultural patterns.
Every day the terrible effects of Governments under threat often
armed conflict are felt by ordinary seek to control media and civil
people around the world. Some of organisations, stifling democracy
that suffering is brought home to and creating a climate of fear.
us by TV, radio and newspaper Conflict creates and exacerbates
reports, but much more goes on divisions, highlighting people’s
out of public sight. In the 12 years differences rather than focusing
since the Cold War ended, there on what they have in common.
have been 57 different major
armed conflicts in 45 locations,1 And the effects are not confined
and millions have been killed or to those countries directly
injured. involved. Neighbouring countries
may be drawn into the conflict, or
Today, wars are increasingly taking find themselves hosting large
place within rather than across numbers of refugees, while the
national borders and drawing in international community —
whole societies, not just their including the UK — may become
armed forces. The UN estimates involved to try to resolve it.
4
Criminal activity in one country many of the problems associated
can also create social, economic with poverty, while economic
and political problems thousands stability can form a strong basis for
of miles from the conflict itself. peace. UN Secretary General Kofi
Annan has said: ‘The prevention
Managing conflict of conflict begins and ends with
There are compelling political, the promotion of human security
humanitarian and practical and human development.’
reasons for taking steps to resolve
and prevent violent conflict. The About this report
international community as a This report provides an overview
whole has a responsibility to seek of the Global Conflict Prevention A UN observer looks on as a
member of Afghanistan’s Loya
to provide the global security and Pool’s strategies and programmes Jirga votes for a new leader
stability which will minimise the from April 2001 to March 2003.
human suffering and reduce the Section A, ‘Tackling conflict
economic devastation that can around the world’, looks at the
result from violent conflict. That geographical strategies. Section B,
community needs to work harder ‘Supporting the strategies’, looks
— and work together more at the two thematic areas. Section C,
effectively — to meet the huge, ‘Strengthening international
diverse and evolving challenges response’, looks at how the Pool is
posed by violent conflict. The UK supporting the conflict prevention
is already playing an active part in efforts of the EU, the OSCE and
this. the Council of Europe and the UN. Anti-government protesters in
Tbilisi, Georgia. The transition to
democracy can leave countries
vulnerable to conflict
The UK government recognises All the projects and initiatives
that elements of conflict are an discussed within the individual
essential part of all social and strategy sections are wholly or
political change, so eradicating partly funded by the Global Pool.
conflict altogether is an unrealistic
goal. What the government aims Please note that we cannot always
to do through the Global Conflict give full details of Pool activities
Prevention Pool is to help manage because of the need to maintain
conflict and to stop it spilling over the trust of parties to a conflict or
into violence. peace process.
But the Pool also has to be The next chapter looks in more
pragmatic. Successful conflict detail at how the Pool was formed
prevention requires practical tools and how it works.
for resolving armed conflict and
helping countries recover and
rebuild, so that underlying ISAF – the International Security
Assistance Force – has been
tensions do not cause conflict to working with the Afghan police
to restore law and order in Kabul
flare up again. Building up
international and regional
peacekeeping capabilities plays an
important role in this. Conflict 1 SIPRI Yearbook 2002, Appendix 1A.
prevention work must also go 2 UN Foundation factsheet Conflict prevention
hand-in-hand with development and peace building
initiatives: conflict can exacerbate www.unfoundation.org/media_center/
5
The UK has been working to The review concluded that the
The UK’s manage and prevent conflict for UK’s contribution to conflict
many years and in many different prevention could be even more
conflict ways: contributing to effective if it was co-ordinated
peacekeeping operations around across departmental boundaries.
prevention the world, using quiet diplomacy, It also called for more focus on
taking part in defence conflict prevention as well as
role and the collaboration and supporting conflict resolution and post-
countries’ transition to democracy, conflict reconstruction, with the
Conflict as well as running large scale aim of reducing the likelihood of
development aid programmes in conflict and the costs to the
Prevention countries suffering the effects of international community and the
violent conflict and inter- UK that go with it.
Pools communal tension. The UK has
also made a significant The two Pools
contribution to the conflict In response to the review, the UK
prevention work of the United government set up two Conflict
Nations (UN), the Organisation Prevention Pools: the Africa Pool,
for Security and Co-operation in which covers sub-Saharan Africa,
Europe (OSCE), the North Atlantic and the Global Conflict
Treaty Organisation (NATO) and Prevention Pool (GCPP) which
the European Union (EU). covers the rest of the world.
Three government departments The aim of the Pools is to
The Foreign and Commonwealth — the FCO, DFID and the MOD — integrate UK policy-making so that
Office
have traditionally been involved in the three departments can
conflict prevention work. develop shared strategies for
Previously, each took responsibility dealing with conflict and make the
for activity in their own areas of practical programmes they fund as
expertise. Since 2001, these effective as possible. Most Pool
departments have been working activities form part of longer-term
closely together under the umbrella strategies, with the partner
of two Conflict Prevention Pools, departments first analysing the
developing joint policies and co- situation then agreeing a conflict
ordinating their work in order to prevention strategy to fit the
The Ministry of Defence maximise its impact and effectiveness. circumstances.
Joining up government This emphasis on joint working is
This new approach originated in reflected in the fact that the three
2000, when a government-wide departments now share a
review of conflict prevention work demanding Public Sector
was carried out as part of the Agreement (PSA) target.
‘joined-up government’ initiative.
This aimed to encourage different
departments working in similar
areas to co-operate more closely,
The Department for International increasing effectiveness by cutting
Development
out duplication and making sure
each department’s work supports
and complements the others’.
6
Below this level, the Africa and
Global Pools have different ways of
co-ordinating their work. The
Global Pool’s system is outlined on
page 8.
What the Pools have achieved
Setting up the Pools has helped
the partner departments work
more closely together. It has also
increased the impact of their
work: bringing together the
security and development aspects
of conflict prevention has been
particularly valuable, as initiatives
must include both these elements
if they are to lead to lasting
stability. Inevitably, their
departmental priorities mean that
the Pool partners bring different
perspectives to their work, but the
Initially, each department put in Pools provide an opportunity to
The shared PSA target funds from their own budget, with resolve differences and achieve
‘Improved effectiveness of the UK the Treasury providing additional consensus on the best way
contribution to conflict prevention resources. Today the Pools bid for forward.
and management, as demonstrated money alongside their parent
by a reduction in the number of departments in each Working together is also helping
people whose lives are affected by Governmental Spending Round. the departments carry out more
violent conflict and a reduction in detailed and consistent policy
potential sources of conflict, where Managing the Pools analysis, and establish a more
the UK can make a significant Both Pools are overseen by Cabinet integrated approach to developing
contribution.’ committees comprising the Foreign and implementing programmes
Secretary, the Secretary of State on the ground. The Pools are
for International Development, therefore strengthening the UK’s
UK funding for peacekeeping and the Defence Secretary and the contribution to international
other peace support operations Chief Secretary to the Treasury. conflict prevention efforts by
was also brought within the DFID chairs the Africa Pool, the ensuring that initiatives are based
management structure of the FCO the Global Pool. on evidence of what works and are
Pools, having previously been paid well targeted.
for direct from the Treasury’s Each Pool is managed at working
Departmental Expenditure Limits level by a joint steering team An independent evaluation is
(DEL) reserve. This move was made up of officials from each being undertaken in 2003 to look
intended to improve the department. These Pool steering at how the Pools are run and
relationship between teams prepare an agreed view of assess the impact of their work
peacekeeping and other conflict priorities for UK work on conflict to date.
prevention work, and to prevention, recommend budgets
streamline management of the for delivering programmes and
peacekeeping budgets. develop processes for Pool
management.
7
Chapter 1
The Global Conflict Ministers are responsible for Once priorities are set, funding is
Prevention Pool in setting priority areas, based on allocated and the geographical
practice recommendations made by the and other expert areas of the
In the two years to March 2003, Global Pool steering team which three departments can focus on
the Global Pool has been working in turn has evaluated all the ideas turning their strategies into
to deliver its PSA target through a put forward by the three practical programmes of work.
wide range of projects grouped departments. The criteria
under 12 geographical or thematic considered by the steering team Managing the strategies
strategies. Three further strategies and ministers include: Under the leadership of a strategy
aim to strengthen the conflict manager, the relevant areas of the
prevention capabilities of ◆ How important is it that the three departments plan the work
European and international conflict or underlying cause of within each strategy, calling on
organisations. conflict is addressed in terms of expertise from across their
UK and other significant departments, overseas posts, non-
The Global Pool’s programme international interests, the governmental experts and interest
budget was £60 million in 2001/02 number of people affected, and groups.
and £68 million in 2002/03. In public concern? What impact
2002/03, the budget was boosted will resolving/averting the This planning also includes detail
by a rebate from the UN of money conflict have on our overall about the delivery of programmes.
that the UK had committed to UN aims, as set out in the PSA Project definition and
Protection Force (UNPROFOR) target? management is often carried out
operations in Bosnia in the early by overseas staff, who know what
1990s. The budget will rise to £74 ◆ Will UK involvement make a will work on the ground and can
million in 2003/04. See the Annex significant contribution to ensure that local conditions and
(page 40) for a breakdown of preventing or resolving the sensitivities are fully taken into
budgets for each strategy in conflict? Is the UK encouraging account. These staff work closely
2001/02 and 2002/03. other donors and co-ordinating with non-governmental
its activity with other actors in organisations (NGOs), the private
Setting priorities the field? sector and academic institutions,
Aside from the obvious value of as well as international
reducing the number of human ◆ Is there an international effort organisations like the UN and the
lives affected by conflict and under way or in view to resolve OSCE to deliver the Pool’s conflict
improving international security, the conflict? prevention work.
there is growing evidence that
early preventative action is far ◆ Within the UK government,
more cost-effective than stepping does joint effort between Pool
in once violent conflict has already partners and any funding
started. The Global Pool therefore through the Pool make the UK
prioritises activity that contributes intervention more effective, or
to long-term peacebuilding. Post- would it be better carried out
conflict reconstruction also forms by an individual department? Is
a significant part of its work. This the Pool the right funding
involves strengthening governance mechanism?
and putting systems in place that
make further violent conflict less
likely, as well as dealing with the
immediate aftermath.
The OSCE Secretariat Office at the
Hofburg Palace, Vienna
8Each strategy manager heads a violent conflict. This can prevention strategy. For example,
strategy management team that include some promotion of the Pool has funded the provision
includes representatives from all human rights. of election monitors in areas of
the partner departments. The ◆ Using research and ongoing high tension, initiatives aimed at
team may be based in London or evaluation to inform and adapt re-establishing the rule of law in
at the relevant overseas post. Pool activities in response to the Balkans, and human rights
The manager is also responsible changing circumstances. projects in Nepal.
for ensuring the integration of ◆ Helping the UN and other
defence, development, foreign organisations such as the OSCE
policy, law enforcement and and EU develop their capacity International strategies
economic perspectives in all Pool to plan and implement peace ◆ The EU
activities within their area. They support, and increasing their ◆ OSCE and the Council of
monitor and evaluate the work of understanding of best practice Europe
the various programmes, in this field. ◆ The UN
gathering valuable information on
what works — and what doesn’t —
in a range of different conflict Geographical strategies
regions. ◆ Afghanistan
◆ The Balkans
Activities under the various ◆ Belize and Guatemala
strategies include: ◆ Central and Eastern Europe
◆ India and Pakistan
◆ Carrying out conflict ◆ Indonesia and East Timor
assessments to measure the ◆ The Middle East and
likely impact of policies and North Africa On some occasions, Pool funding
programmes on conflict ◆ Nepal has been used to supply military
situations. ◆ Russia and the former equipment where this forms part
◆ Supporting peace initiatives. Soviet Union of an integrated conflict
◆ Promoting safety and security, ◆ Sri Lanka prevention strategy and is crucial
which may include supporting to ensuring the stability of a
military efforts to stabilise a conflict area and to the success of
conflict situation. What the Global Pool doesn’t the strategy. Such decisions are
◆ Supporting fair and accessible fund scrutinised carefully, often at
justice systems. The Global Pool does not fund ministerial level. The Pool takes
◆ Improving the professionalism humanitarian relief work, into account the risk of any
and accountability of security including support to refugees and equipment supplied being
organisations like the police displaced people, as individual misused by the recipient or falling
and armed forces. departments are already engaged into other hands, and the likely
◆ Enhancing local military in this work on a large scale. political consequences. Ministers
capacity to contribute will always take the final decision
effectively and efficiently to on any supply of weapons and
regional and international Thematic strategies ammunition.
peacekeeping and other peace ◆ Security sector reform
support tasks. ◆ Small arms and light weapons The Quick Response Fund
◆ Demobilising, disarming and Activities that fall within the
reintegrating soldiers into Global Pool’s remit but do not fit
society. Most de-mining, good governance into existing strategies can be
◆ Helping civil society and human rights activities are funded through a separate Global
organisations defuse the also excluded, unless they clearly Pool Quick Response Fund,
tensions which can lead to form an integral part of a conflict provided all Pool partners agree
9and the activities in question The assessed element meets the
support the PSA target. This might cost of the obligatory UK For more information on the
happen where an activity is in an contribution to international Africa Pool, see FCO (2001)
area where the Pool does not plan organisations’ peace support The causes of conflict in sub-Saharan
to set up a long-term strategy, or activities. The UK contributed 6.8 Africa (available online at
where rapid intervention is per cent of the UN peacekeeping www.dfid.gov.uk).
needed to deal with a new conflict budget1 and 10.34 per cent of the For more information on
situation. OSCE’s mission budget during the peacekeeping activities, see
period covered by this report. www.mod.uk/aboutus/defence_
Peacekeeping The non-assessed element funds matters/info_pages/mak_diff.html
The peacekeeping element of the voluntary contributions to peace and www.peacekeeping.co.uk
Global Pool funds FCO, MOD and support activities. This includes
DFID contributions to peace the cost of sending UK troops or
support activity. It is split into two civilian personnel to participate in
parts: assessed and non-assessed, UN peacekeeping missions and
and budgets are set at the the cost of the UK representation
beginning of each financial year. in operations such as the EU
Jericho Monitors, part of the
Middle East Peace Process.
1 Contribution levels are set by member
states at the General Assembly, and are
based partly on countries’ GDP.
10Tackling conflict around the world Section A
Afghanistan presents particular The Global Pool’s Afghanistan
The challenges for conflict prevention. strategy is constantly being revised
The country has no history of in response to the changing
Afghanistan centralised government, and two situation on the ground. Pool
decades of war have led to the initiatives must also complement
strategy weakening or collapse of many rather than duplicate the work of
institutions. Local economic the UN and the rest of the
structures have been seriously international community.
damaged and food production Improving short-term security and
reduced to the bare minimum. carrying out longer-term security
Many people have been forced to sector reform (SSR) is essential:
leave their homes. without stability it will be
impossible to work towards other
Following the fall of the Taliban goals like alleviating poverty,
regime, conflict prevention in promoting development,
Afghanistan is one of the UK countering drugs and eradicating
government’s key foreign policy terrorism.
priorities. The overriding objective
is to support the December 2001 Rebuilding the security
Bonn Agreement, which brought sector
President Hamid Karzai marks UN together representatives from all There is significant international
Day Against Drugs 2002
the major groups in Afghanistan involvement in the reform of the
with the aim of building a more Afghan security sector. The G8
democratic and representative countries led a conference in
government by 2004. Despite the Geneva in April 2002, which
problems Afghanistan continues to included the Afghan foreign
face, the climate post-Bonn is minister and UN Special
more positive than for many years Representative Brahimi. The UK
and the international community agreed to lead on counter-
has an excellent opportunity to narcotics work (see page 12).
bring about real and lasting The G8 is still the lead forum for
changes in this troubled country. co-ordinating the international
community’s SSR work.
The Pool is encouraging women to
play an active role in Afghan politics
by providing childcare facilities in
the main parliament building
11The overall aim is to have a viable to make the Army a more viable Good governance
Afghan security sector by summer career option for high calibre The post of National Security
2004. Key milestones achieved so candidates. Adviser was created at the specific
far include the setting up of the request of President Karzai.
Office of the National Security Police reform The Pool has allocated funding to
Adviser, operational since Germany is taking the lead on support the office of the adviser,
November 2002, the establishment police training, but UK Dr Rassoul, for three years and set
of the Afghan-manned Counter- involvement is increasing. up training and consultancy
Narcotics Directorate in January Representatives from Bramshill workshops to clarify organisational
2003, and the development of a Police College in Hampshire have structures and working
clear Afghan-owned strategy for visited Kabul twice to identify procedures, and help Dr Rassoul
counter-narcotics. potential projects and give pre- and his team understand their
course training to officers selected place in government. In February
Afghanistan’s security apparatus is to attend courses at Bramshill. 2003 Dr Rassoul came to London
being rebuilt from scratch. A plan Future plans include sending six to look at the structures and
for the new Afghan National Army ex-policemen to Kabul to help re- functions of the UK government.
was formalised by a decree signed establish the police force and The UK has been instrumental in
by President Hamid Karzai at the provide ongoing training. drafting a framework for SSR,
Bonn II Conference in December endorsed by the G8 SSR Working
2002. The decree, which acts as a Tackling drugs Group, which is now being
road map for re-establishing In 2002, farmers who voluntarily developed by Dr Rassoul and
permanent government eradicated their opium poppy his staff.
institutions, states that the new crop were offered one-off financial
army must be subordinate to the assistance. In the same year the
civil government and be ethnically Afghan authorities destroyed more
and regionally balanced. It also than 16,500 hectares of opium,
calls for the disarming and preventing 76 tonnes of heroin
reintegration of all other armed worth US$8 billion from reaching
groups. Supported by Pool the West.
funding, the UN Assistance
Mission in Afghanistan is drawing These are positive steps, but
up a disarmament, demobilisation banning opium is not enough: the
and reintegration (DDR) UK government needs to help
implementation plan. The Pool Afghan people introduce other
has also funded the secondment crops and find alternative
of advisers to the National Security livelihoods. The problem is Eradicating opium requires a
long-term commitment
Council, one of whom will focus complex and requires a long-term
on DDR. commitment, so helping the
Afghan authorities organise
A key part of building an effective, themselves to tackle it is vital.
accountable army is attracting and The Pool is currently helping with
keeping intelligent, capable all aspects of capacity-building
recruits. The Pool has helped the including training, mentoring and
Army purchase essential funding personnel and equipment
communications equipment and in the new Counter-Narcotics
vehicles and is contributing to Directorate.
salaries. The strategy has also
helped fund the refurbishment of
the Palace Barracks in Kabul.
All of these measures are helping
12Looking ahead
Strengthening the media The Pool will continue to support
The Pool supports the work of the a wide range of SSR activities,
Institute for War and Peace including developing and training
Reporting (IWPR), which the army and police. The strategy
strengthens local journalism in will also focus on judicial reform,
conflict areas by training promoting human rights and
journalists, facilitating dialogue counter-narcotics work. There will
and providing reliable be more emphasis on promoting
information. Since March 2002, democratic rule in the regions, in
IWPR has been running successful support of wider UK political aims. IWPR trainees are using techniques
like interviewing to enhance the
training courses for Afghan The Pool has allocated significant accuracy of their reporting
journalists with the aim of resources to support UN-led work
establishing a responsible print on DDR during the run-up to
media sector. elections in Afghanistan in mid-
2004. It is also looking at ways of
An independent media is essential improving the sustainability of
to conflict resolution, political existing projects, particularly
participation and long-term peace through better care and
and stability. But in the past two maintenance of equipment.
decades, many journalists fled or
were killed and those that survived
did so by strictly censoring their
own work. New media ventures are
emerging quickly, but the basic
principles of responsible reporting
are still largely unknown.
Over the last year IWPR has
trained 371 journalists, including
53 women. Over 200 articles have
been published, each translated
into Dari, Pashtu and English.
These articles have then been
republished in local and
international media outlets a total
of 352 times, disseminating
international standards of
journalism throughout the
country and making IWPR the
only international channel for
Afghan journalists.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw at an
ANA training session run by soldiers
from the Royal Anglian Regiment
13Section A
Since the collapse of Communism, Citizens’ Hour, which encourages
The Balkans the Former Republic of Yugoslavia regular communication between
(FRY) has suffered years of fierce constituents and their elected
strategy conflict, resulting in considerable representatives.
loss of life and damage to
economies and infrastructure. In Montenegro the Pool has
Many of the causes of conflict, helped set up an ISDN network so
including inter-ethnic disputes, radio stations throughout the
still affect people in the region country can exchange information
today. The human, social and and programmes and improve the
economic impact on the region quality of their output. The network
has highlighted the need for the also supports efforts to stimulate
international community to take a public debate on any future
more proactive approach to referendum on independence.
conflict prevention.
The Pool strategy seeks to Closure and justice
Reintegrating people into society co-ordinate efforts to transform Uncertainty about the fate of their
post-conflict is a vital part of the
Pool’s work in the Balkans. This man the Balkan countries into loved ones is a continuing source
was displaced by war, and had been
living for years as a hermit in the peaceful, law-abiding states ahead of anguish for the hundreds of
mountains
of integration into the EU and thousands who lost family
NATO. Pool funding is supporting members in the conflicts, and a
work in many areas including major barrier to rebuilding society.
democracy, inter-ethnic relations,
organised crime, security sector The International Commission for
reform (SSR) and the justice sector. Missing Persons (ICMP) is a
charity that identifies bodies
Strengthening democracy exhumed from mass graves in the
and inter-ethnic relations former Yugoslavia. ICMP’s
In April 2002, Foreign Office pioneering techniques have
Minister Denis MacShane opened accelerated and cut the cost of
the International Conference on making positive identifications,
History Education in South East bringing closure for bereaved
Europe in Athens. Scholars and family members and providing
teachers drew up a set of practical valuable evidence for war crimes
recommendations to help schools tribunals in The Hague.
throughout the region teach more
regional history and expose Speaking at the Commission’s
students to a range of points of Board meeting in Washington in
view. October 2002, US Secretary of
State Colin Powell praised its work:
The Pool supports the work of ‘You have built relationships with
Croatian NGO GONG, which families as well as governments, to
monitors elections and educates bring closure as well as justice.’
people about election laws and ICMP has used Pool funding to
processes. GONG also runs a buy vehicles and essential chemical
range of ongoing programmes reagents, and to furnish and equip
including Open Parliament, which DNA laboratories in Banja Luka
gives citizens access to and Belgrade.
Advanced DNA techniques are being parliamentary sessions, and
used to identify victims of the
Balkans conflicts
14Safety, security and access also liaising with other personnel. In 2002, topics
to justice international donors to improve included restructuring, peace-
The Pool’s detailed three-year co-ordination of the overall aid keeping doctrine, crisis
strategy on safety, security and effort in this region. management and international
access to justice recognises the law. Measuring the impact of this
need to support reform across the Security sector reform work is difficult, but anecdotal
police, prosecution services, courts A doctrine for the armed forces in evidence suggests it can be
and prisons throughout the Bosnia and Herzegovina has been valuable — for example, an officer
Balkans region. There are three agreed, and implementation will who attended a seminar on
components: developing be linked with the establishment military law has directly influenced
affordable justice sector policies; of the Peace Support Operations the development and
improving community policing Training Centre (see page 16). implementation of the FRY’s new
and justice delivery at local level; military legislation.
and regional lesson learning. Education
English language training ‘opens Reintegration
Three projects are under way. up’ individual soldiers to The Pool is working with the
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the international thinking and enables Organisation for Security and
Pool is working to strengthen the closer co-operation in multilateral Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
capacity of the two Ministries of military operations. Many soldiers and the International
Justice and help the Office of the who have attended Pool-sponsored Organisation for Migration to
High Representative (OHR) training courses now occupy reduce the impact of some 12,000
develop a long-term strategy for influential positions within their personnel leaving the armed
the justice sector. In Serbia, the national command structures. forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Pool is helping to build the policy where unemployment already stands
formulation, planning and The Pool also supports a range of at around 40 per cent. The Pool is
budgeting capacity of the seminars for armed forces helping to fund the provision of
Ministries of the Interior and
The NATO mission hands over to the
Justice, and supporting the EU in Macedonia, March 2003
implementation in selected
localities of community-based
policing and community safety
schemes that prevent and reduce
crime and disorder, reduce
tensions and build public
confidence in a modern Serbian
police service.
The consultants undertaking this
work are developing nine further
proposals for Bosnia, Kosovo,
Macedonia, Croatia, Serbia and
the region as a whole.
The European Commission has
made a significant commitment to
the reform of justice and home
affairs in the Balkans. The Pool is
currently helping justice sector
institutions to negotiate for and
use EC funding effectively, and is
15starter ‘tool kits’ for new Looking ahead In the field of inter-ethnic
businesses, and has prepared 160 The Pool will continue to provide relations, the Pool will continue to
ex-service personnel for new jobs training for the region’s security support projects designed to help
as fire fighters. Local authorities forces. Plans for a Peace Support those displaced during the conflict
have agreed to give them jobs for Operations Training Centre in to return home. Justice sector
at least two years, bringing much- Bosnia and Herzegovina are well reform, particularly in Kosovo and
needed fire cover to 27 under way. Building work should Bosnia, is also a high priority.
communities. begin shortly, and the first training The Pool is planning to expand its
courses are scheduled for existing community policing
Tackling organised crime spring 2004. projects to other countries in the
The Pool is working closely with region, based on the lessons
the United Nations Mission in A reintegration programme for learned from earlier successes.
Kosovo (UNMIK) and the Office personnel leaving the armed
of the High Representative in forces in Serbia and Montenegro,
Bosnia to reduce levels of similar to that already running in
organised crime. A prosecutor Bosnia and Herzegovina, is likely
from the Serious Fraud Office has to begin later this year, helping to
been seconded to work alongside take forward the modernisation
lawyers in the Serious Crime Unit and reform of the security sector
in Bosnia, while a UK lawyer has across the region.
been seconded to UNMIK’s
Sensitive Information and
Operations Unit. Pool funding has
also been used to purchase
criminal analysis software, and to
teach staff how to use it.
Victoria Whitford of the British
Office in Pristina with the
Crimewatch Kosovo Crimewatch Kosovo crew
In 2002 the Pool funded a six-part
TV series, Crimewatch Kosovo. Using
the same format as the BBC’s own
Crimewatch show, the series aimed
to break down barriers between
citizens and the police and to
tackle the culture of impunity.
Each live programme was
anchored by members of the
police force and featured crime
reconstructions and appeals for
information from the public.
The series was a huge success, and
another six episodes will be made
and screened in 2003.
16Section A
The border dispute between the Spanish to Belizeans and English
The Belize former British colony of Belize to Guatemalans.
and neighbouring Guatemala is
and hindering economic development, In early 2003, representatives from
frustrating free trade and causing Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and
Guatemala civilian casualties. As well as Mexico attended a training course
resolving these problems, a run by the Royal Navy and
strategy peaceful final settlement would supported by the Pool. The course
avert the need for costly aim was to encourage co-
international arbitration or ordination and co-operation
military intervention and set a between the region’s maritime
positive example to other agencies.
countries in the region with
disputed borders. Building accountable
security forces
Although the latest round of In the past, border negotiations
negotiations, sponsored by the have led to riots in Belize. The
Organisation of American States Pool has therefore funded training
(OAS) and supported by the UK, courses, based at the police
LtoR: Belize Foreign Minister Assad ended inconclusively, the two training college at Bramshill, to
Shoman, OAS Secretary General
Cesar Gaviria and Guatemalan countries have agreed in principle help Belizean police manage
Foreign Minister Gabriel Orellana
Rojas announce proposals aimed at to take forward the facilitators’ public order operations while
resolving the border dispute
proposals and are implementing safeguarding human rights.
confidence-building measures. Training aimed at making the
Guatemalan security services more
The Global Pool is working with transparent, democratic and
the OAS to secure a lasting accountable is also planned.
settlement and supporting projects
aimed at reducing tensions, Looking ahead
encouraging co-operation between The Pool will continue to support
security agencies and addressing confidence-building measures,
the underlying causes of conflict. particularly among communities
living near the border, and to
Education and maintain the integrity of land and
communication maritime boundaries. After the
The Thomson Foundation has Guatemalan elections in
been teaching journalists in Belize November, the strategy will focus
and Guatemala the principles of on supporting both governments
accurate, balanced reporting. to implement the OAS
NGO network Just World Partners recommendations in full.
has used its Pool funding to run
workshops on tackling conflict
along the border and identifying
sustainable sources of income for
communities on both sides. The
Pool is also working with the
English Language Programme to
help government agencies, the
armed forces and the police
communicate better by teaching
17Section A
Central and Eastern Europe
The Central (CEE) is a region in transition: NATO’s new members
20 new countries have come into At the November 2002 NATO
and Eastern being since the early 1990s, and all Summit in Prague Bulgaria,
are experiencing huge economic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania,
Europe political and social changes. Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia
were formally invited to join the
strategy Although the region is currently Alliance. Provided they complete
stable, there is still considerable the ratification process, they are
potential for unrest. Maintaining expected to beome full members
stability is a high priority both for at the next summit in May 2004.
other European nations and the
international community as the
states get ready to join the EU, Sharing expertise
NATO or both. The Pool has been supporting
military and civilian defence
The UK has been working to advisers in Poland, Hungary and
establish mature defence and the Czech Republic and in the
military relationships in Central seven NATO invitees. Working at
Heads of State from existing NATO and Eastern Europe since the end the highest levels, these advisers
members and invitees at the Prague
Summit of the Cold War in order to provide guidance on managing
strengthen democracy, defuse defence and structuring the
tension, bolster the rule of law armed forces to make them more
and develop local capacity for accountable and subject to
peace support operations (PSOs). democratic controls.
Funding for this work was
transferred to the Pool when it was The strategy is also funding
set up, and will continue to be seminars, courses and expert visits
drawn from there for the next few on topics ranging from
years. peacekeeping training to air traffic
Soldiers from Eastern Europe and
the UK share international
peacekeeping duties in Kabul
18control, giving civilian and sending advisers to countries International involvement
military defence staff the practical including the Czech Republic, The Pool is helping countries
skills they need to reform their Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania develop their own peacekeeping
organisations. and Slovakia. capacity through involvement with
international initiatives. Armed
BMATT In Bulgaria, the London forces from the region have played
The British Military Advisory and Metropolitan Police is running a an active part in peacekeeping
Training Team (BMATT) trains project, Policing for Roma efforts in the Balkans and
over 180 soldiers each year at its Communities, to promote Afghanistan.
centre in the Czech Republic. understanding of cultural
The old Soviet military model had differences and introduce Looking ahead
no non-commissioned cadre to alternative dispute resolution
bridge the gap between officers techniques, like using community The Junior Staff Officers’
and the conscripted lower ranks. intervenors. Course
Using a ‘train the trainers’ approach, In 2003/04 junior officers from
BMATT aims to create military Effective communication Central and Eastern Europe will
middle managers with the skills to Sharing a language helps countries attend the first Junior Staff
motivate, manage and lead. The work together and become part of Officers’ Course in Slovakia.
improved effectiveness and the international community. Run by the UK in partnership with
efficiency of the region’s armed UN peacekeeping operations are the Netherlands, the course will
forces is demonstrated by the fact run in English, and it is also the focus on developing management,
that they now regularly participate lingua franca of NATO. administration and leadership skills.
in PSOs. This is also helping
reduce the burden on UK forces. The Pool is working with the Beyond 2005
British Council to teach English to All the countries in the region
a range of staff from junior have now been invited to join the
A co-ordinated approach officers to generals and ministers EU, NATO or both, and this
At the start of the 1990s the Baltic throughout Central and Eastern strategy will therefore close in
states — Estonia, Latvia and Europe. By ‘training the trainers’, 2006. Wider conflict prevention
Lithuania — needed to create the Council is building countries’ activities will be transferred to
defence ministries and armed capacity to educate themselves. other relevant Pool strategies as
forces from scratch. The UK has appropriate.
worked closely with other NATO Programme director Paul Woods
countries to support military sees language learning as part of a
British Council
training and education in the area wider process. ‘Good language
for nearly 10 years, offering teaching isn’t just technical, it’s
practical advice and assistance to about effective communication:
BALTBAT (a joint infantry that includes understanding and
battalion), BALTRON (the engaging with alternative values
countries’ joint naval squadron), and concepts. The training we
and the Baltic Defence College. provide therefore has a vital role
to play in bringing about culture
change.’
Judicial and police reform
The Pool is working with a
number of countries in the region
to develop robust judicial systems,
and is encouraging the region’s
police to deal more fairly with
ethnic minority populations by English is the lingua franco of NATO
and the UN, so language training is
an important aspect of the Pool’s
work in the region
19Section A
India and Pakistan have fought In February 2003, the Pool
The India two wars over Kashmir since 1947. supported a conference at Wilton
A dramatic increase in terrorist Park, which brought together
and Pakistan activity — including the attack on Indians, Pakistanis and Kashmiris
the Indian parliament building in from a range of professional
strategy December 2001 — led to an backgrounds. The meeting aimed
escalation in tension during 2002, to build confidence and promote
although the two sides have now co-operation, laying the
restored full diplomatic relations. foundations for future dialogue.
In April two seminars — one
Over 30,000 people have been involving participants from India,
killed (some sources put the figure the other participants from
at over 80,000) and up to 200,000 Pakistan — were held at
Hindus have fled the Kashmir Birmingham University to discuss
Valley since militancy began in practical military confidence-
1990. International NGOs building measures.
continue to report human rights
abuses, and people living close to Looking ahead
the Line of Control are regularly Future initiatives are likely to focus
displaced by shelling. A full-scale on humanitarian assistance,
military conflict would destabilise supporting basic services and
the whole region and hinder improving local capacity for
economic development, while a conflict resolution and
nuclear conflict would have reconciliation. The Pool will
devastating consequences for the continue to work with
whole world. international partners to
encourage India and Pakistan to
Developing an effective engage in productive dialogue,
strategy end cross-border infiltration and
Initially, the Global Pool had a terrorism and remove the risk of
single strategy for South Asia. nuclear conflict.
Indian and Pakistani border officials Following events in Afghanistan,
at a check post
and in the light of the disparate
nature of the conflicts in the
region, the Pool partners decided
to create separate country
strategies.
The India and Pakistan team has
been developing its strategy since
July 2002. So far this has mainly
focused on identifying where the
Pool can encourage contact
between the two sides and
promote public debate on
reducing conflict in the region.
20Section A
Indonesia is the world’s fourth professional security forces.
The Indonesia most populous country and has its Other key strategy aims include
largest Muslim population. supporting reconciliation and
and East Following the fall of President preventing further conflict.
Soeharto in 1998, the country is
Timor slowly transforming itself into a Working with police and
democracy at the same time as the military
strategy facing an upsurge in Islamic The Pool supports the
militancy. While most Indonesian Governance Partnership, an
Muslims are moderate and Indonesian-led initiative which is
tolerant, the country is home to a promoting police reform in
wide range of extremist groups Indonesia by clarifying roles,
and the bomb attacks in Bali in enhancing relationships with the
October 2002 and Jakarta in public, encouraging civilian
August 2003 highlighted its oversight and providing a channel
vulnerability to terrorism. for technical assistance.
Indonesia’s size and position mean
that its stability is vital to the In 2001/02 the Pool helped the
stability of the whole region. International Committee of the
Red Cross provide human rights
After 24 years of armed struggle training for the Indonesian
against Indonesian occupation, military. This programme is
neighbouring East Timor is ongoing, but is now funded by DFID.
working to establish new
democratic institutions and laws. Over the last year, the Pool has
Conflict often occurs during been helping Indonesia plan a
periods of transition, so both strategic defence review. Lt Col
countries need careful monitoring Stephen Andrews of the MOD’s
and appropriate support from the Defence Advisory Team (see page
international community. The 31) is working with a local team to
Global Pool is therefore working develop a review process that is
to promote democratic reform appropriate to Indonesia and that
and strengthen state institutions in fits into the wider international
East Timor, and helping both context.
The Royal Navy providing essential countries develop accountable and
support in the immediate aftermath
of hostilities, East Timor Strengthening the law in
East Timor
Lt Col Leigh McNeil went to East
Timor in June 2002 to offer legal
advice to the Office of Defence
Force Development (ODFD).
She was the third British Army
Legal Adviser to the ODFD to be
funded by the Pool; a fourth went
out in May 2003. During her
six-month stint Lt Col McNeill
drafted several pieces of new
legislation, including bills on the
Defence Force and military
discipline.
21Encouraging dialogue Reducing tension
In February 2002 John Battle, MP In 2002/03, the Pool provided
for Leeds and special envoy for funding for Peace Brigades
inter-faith dialogue, took a International (PBI). PBI
delegation, including a Muslim safeguards six NGOs based in
former Lord Mayor of Bradford, Aceh, so they can get on with their
two other British Muslim work on the ground.
councillors and a British Muslim
journalist, to Jakarta, South Looking ahead
Sulawesi and West Java. The visit, The strategy will continue to work
which focused on the importance with the Indonesian government
of strong local government in a to develop a more accountable
democratic society, also showed security sector and to support the
that Muslims are well-respected, peaceful resolution of tensions in
active members of British society. Aceh and elsewhere.
Says John Battle, ‘I think there is a
huge need for this kind of
personal contact, sharing ways in
which diverse communities can
belong together, actively
co-operating without losing their
own identities.’ The Pool has also
been funding visits to the UK for
Indonesian parliamentarians,
members of the military and
academics.
Innovation and education
The BBC World Service Trust runs
innovative projects in developing
and transitional countries aimed at
strengthening civil society through
media training and health and
educational campaigns. A training
course run in Indonesia has given
journalists the skills they need to
report on conflict accurately and
objectively. MP John Battle in conversation with
Xanana Gusmao, East Timor’s
President
The Pool also funded and
organised a seminar on conflict
resolution for senior Indonesian
ministers. This was led by retired
general Sir Michael Rose, a former
SAS commander and leader of
British Army units in Bosnia.
22Section A
The strategy covers the Middle The Global Pool strategy for the
The Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) region complements the work of
together with other conflict the Quartet, with a strong
East and prevention initiatives in the wider emphasis on peacebuilding. Its key
Gulf region and North Africa. aims are to support efforts to
North Africa Although projects are country- reach and implement a peace
specific, there are strong linkages agreement between Israel and the
strategy across all the regions covered. PA, to promote dialogue, to build
regional stability and to encourage
The MEPP greater respect for good
Violence in Israel and the governance and human rights.
occupied territories causes human
suffering and damages the Palestinian reform
regional economy. The land In January 2003, the Pool funded
disputed by Israel and the a meeting on Palestinian reform
Palestinian Authority (PA) also and nation-building aimed at
includes sites of enormous helping the PA build democratic
religious and cultural significance. institutions and a sound civil
Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian administration. As well as helping
conflict is an important pre- the Authority advance its reform
The Jericho Monitors - a joint US-UK condition for long-term peace and agenda, the meeting sent a clear
initiative - ensure the safety of
Palestinian prisoners stability in the Middle East and message of support both from the
North Africa. UK and the international
community. While Palestinian
The UK has many historical links reform is only one part of the
with the region, and is closely efforts required to achieve a just
involved in peacebuilding and and comprehensive peace, it is an
conflict prevention efforts. The extremely high priority.
roadmap drawn up by the Quartet
(the US, UN, EU and Russia) has Boosting security
been accepted by the PA and The MEPP aside, the Pool
Israel. The international provides training for senior
community must make the most of military personnel and police
this window of opportunity by throughout the region in order to
keeping the political momentum develop their capacity to monitor
going and supporting the efforts and counter threats to internal
of both parties to meet their security at the same time as
obligations under Phase I of the observing principles of good
plan. This will form a strong governance and safeguarding
foundation for the peace process human rights. By providing
to progress towards the ultimate relatively inexpensive, carefully-
goal of creating an independent targeted assistance, the Pool can
Palestinian state. reduce the potential for instability,
thereby minimising the need for
external intervention which would
be far more costly in both human
and financial terms.
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