CONFERENCE ON THE STATUS OF ARMED FORCES AND GROUPS IN IRAQ

Preliminary Report:
 
Session Four: Political priorities and practical methods for demobilisation and integration
 

Monday 10 November 2008
Time:      9h15 - 13h30
 
Chairs: Sheikh Khalid Al Attiya
               
                               

 
Objectives for the session:
 
·          Discuss the various options available when dealing with a demilitarised society
·          Focus discussion on three main options (see chart), emphasising that they can be used in combination:
o         demobilise militia members and/or units and return to civilian life, including options for retaining structures and hierarchies in civic initiatives (e.g. Northern Ireland)
o         assimilate militia members and distribute them within a homogeneous military structure;
o         integrate units within a combined military structure whilst allowing them to maintain previous geographicreligiousideological identities.
 
Objectives for the session:
 
·          Bring together the results from Sessions Two and Three
·          Determine how the process of transforming a militarised society should proceed, taking account of issues associated of regional units, as discussed in Session Two, and challenges associated with demobilisation, as discussed in Session Three.
 
 Questions for Discussion:
 
·          How can individual personnel and/or units integrate effectively within a combined military structure?
·          How can disparate chains of command be restructured into an effective combined military structure?
·          How should rank, salaries, and pensions scales across the army, regional corps, militias and other armed groups be integrated?
·          Challenges in guaranteeing equal access and opportunities for recruitment within the military and its academies
·          Sources of funding (federal, regional, and provincial budgets)
·          Who determines the needs of the army, the allocation of its funding, and the geographic and national distribution of its resources?
·          Who manages and secures military depots and other armaments?
·          What skills and vocational training can the military provide to former militia members and/or new recruits?
 
 
Summary of Discussion:
 
There was broad consensus on the need to focus discussions on two related, but distinct, problems. The first concerns the question of what policy to adopt with respect to those militia groups operating beyond the control of the state; the second is to address concerns about the structure and composition of the Iraqi national army. 
 
Whilst all participants acknowledged the contribution and sacrifices of those groups that struggled against dictatorship in Iraq, as well as those presently fighting terrorism, participants stressed that there can be no place in the new Iraq for militias operating beyond the oversight of the Iraqi government, whether federal, regional or provincial. Those who have made sacrifices and contributions to the Iraqi state should be respected and compensated, but the disbandment of militia units should continue, requiring their members to be assimilated or integrated into either civilian society or the new national army.
 
The importance of distinguishing clearly between the role of the police and the army was broadly reaffirmed. The proper role of the army is to defend Iraq’s borders and sovereignty, whilst police forces are responsible for enforcing the rule of law. Both play important roles in safeguarding the achievements of the last few years, in particular as Iraq comes to grow increasingly responsible for its own security.
 
The army was largely commended for its role in promoting stability in Iraq, but several participants emphasised the need for further reform and restructuring. Particularly prominent were concerns about the potential for divided loyalties within the national army, both as a result of previous recruitment policies and as a caveat in the future integration of militia units.
 
There was a broad consensus therefore on the importance of building a strong, united, and democratic army, operating without political affiliation of any kind, and committed above all to serving the people of Iraq and their constitution. This would represent a profound change from the militarisation that has plagued Iraqi society for decades. Several argued that this vision could only be achieved through a reform of the current structure of the armed forces, including their upper echelons.
 
Several participants underlined the important role civilian oversight mechanisms play in furthering this shared goal, with participants suggesting a federal council where all major stakeholders are represented to oversee decisions on deployment and a civilian body mandated to foster loyalty and unity within the national army, the other tasked with facilitating the retraining of those individuals who might be integrated into the national army from militias.
 
Regional defence forces, such as the Peshmerga, were recognised as valuable contributors to stability in Iraq, with a clear and defined constitutional mandate. Some participants stressed the need to better determine how such units should be funded when deployed at the behest of the federal government.
These was a shared consensus also on the need to further promote professionalism within both the police and the national army, primarily through extensive training and education, but also when making decisions about which new recruits to consider qualified for admission.
 
A number of participants noted that the constitution of Iraq already contains provisions intended to support the resolution of these questions. Whilst it was largely acknowledged that it represented a significant achievement and offers a useful starting point, several participants emphasised their views on the importance of amending certain sections of the constitution. Ultimately however, it was also agreed that the greatest challenges arise from efforts to implement those principles that are decided upon. 
 
A drafting committee was appointed to prepare a list of recommendations based on the discussions held in the last two days, in order to consolidate the important progress achieved in the discussions.
 
Download the Preliminary Report of Session Four