October 8, 2008
Two days ago Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam assured the nation that the integration of ex-rebels into the regular army would be accomplished without undue difficulties and within the proposed six-month time frame.
“We will soon form a special committee as per the constitutional provision. It will decide whether to integrate all of the PLA or those who fulfill certain parameters into the Nepali Army,” Gautam said. “This process will be carried out in such a manner that everyone will be content.”
Universal contentment? Really?
Just because the three main coalition parties – the Maoists, CPN-UML and Madheshi Janaadhikar Forum – signed the August 21 Common Minimum Program (CMP), which outlines the complete integration within six months, doesn’t mean that the CMP satisfies the army’s wishes, needs or criteria for a non-political military organization. Saying things don’t make them so, as the old saying goes, and the bulldozing effect of wishful thinking may only antagonized a venerable institution like the Nepal Army.
The question is: Has the government’s optimistic forecast simply disguised the fact that, sooner or later, there is going to be some sort of showdown?
The army’s stance is that the integration of the Maoist combatants will be guided by three documents:
1) the 12-point agreement of November 2005
2) the Interim Constitution
3) the Comprehensive Peace Accord
none of which, according to Army leaders, indisputably states that “ex-rebel integration” specifies induction into the regular army.
It is true that both the Interim Constitution and the Comprehensive Peace accord provide for the creation of a special Cabinet committee for “oversight, integration and rehabilitation” of the ex-rebels. But beyond that?
The variances in interpretations have become polarized in recent weeks. Nepali Congress leaders have strongly objected to the pro-integration speech recently delivered by President Yadav. UML General Secretary Jhala Nath Khanal, former general secretary Madhav Nepal and Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum leader Sarat Singh Bhandari have also objected to the idea of integrating Maoists combatants into the national army.
Army generals argue that, since the army is an apolitical institution, integrating politically indoctrinated combatants will weaken both the army and the fragile budding democracy of Nepal.
Army chief General Rookmangud Katawal raised the question of the wisdom in forcing Maoist soldiers into the army, advocating instead the more democratic plan of giving the ex-rebels a choice. In the first place, what evidence, Katawal asked, is there that if the ex-rebels had a choice they would actually opt to integrate into the army? Unconvinced of the government’s presumption, Katawal offered four options for the combatants:
1) send them to school or college
2) allow the combatants to pursue foreign employment
3) engage them in non-military nation-building opportunities
4) allow them into the national armed services only if they meet the standard criteria for induction and only if the individual is capable of playing by army rules for placement: You earn your stripes according to merit, skills, experience, etc., not political ideology.
General Katawal also takes exception to the UNMIN’s verification of 19,000 Maoist combatants. When I spoke to him two weeks ago, the general defined “combatant” as one who can operate a particular weapon. Since only 3,000 weapons were verified by the UNMIN, he posed the question: “How can there be 19,000 combatants if they only have 3,000 weapons?” He went on to suggest that, nowhere else in the world, other than Nepal, had this sort of UN verification taken place.
The certainty of ex-rebel integration into the regular army is far from being a “done deal”. There are numerous bridges to cross before it becomes a working reality. And it seems to me to be ill-conceived for governmental leaders to be portraying the integration, at least at this point, as a foregone conclusion.
Nepal’s Military Doctrine
The following article was written by Chiran Jung Thapa. It offers timely insight into the mindset, objectives and core values of the Nepal army.
Indeed, Nepal is endowed with a distinct martial potential. Known as the land of the fearless and lethal "Gurkha warriors," Nepal's martial prowess has received worldwide acclaim. This is mainly because Nepalis have fended off hostile forces with great resilience and tenacity to preserve the sovereign and independent status of the nation. Additionally, the worldwide recognition of Nepal's military prowess can be attributed to the outstanding martial performance exhibited by Nepalis in numerous global battlefronts. Nepal 's Military Doctrine is an embodiment of Nepal's intention concerning the use of its military power in pursuit of safeguarding its national interest and accomplishing its national objectives. By rendering direction to the subordinate concepts like force structure, education and training, operation planning, rules of engagement, and tactics, this doctrine aims to instil a sense of purpose and provide guidance to the men and women in uniform.
This Doctrine delineates the necessity of maintaining a military capability to defend and deter any hostile armed attack against Nepal's national interest as the primary function of the Military. Essentially, it is a strategic guideline that underscores a firm resolve to guarantee military security to Nepal without any assistance from other states.
The military security of Nepal is guaranteed by denying any aggressor its military objective. If confronted with an unprovoked armed aggression, Nepal's military will adopt self defensive measures in ways that it deems appropriate to dissuade and deter the hostile forces. To serve this purpose, Nepal's military will remain continually prepared for conventional as well as asymmetric confrontations. While maintaining the asymmetric capabilities in its arsenal, the military-training and preparation will be primarily geared towards mobile defence.
In conformity with its strategic objective of institutionalizing peace and promoting prosperity, Nepal's Military Doctrine is peaceful and constructive in nature, and self-defensive in posture. Any unprovoked armed aggression by any State against the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Nepal will compel Nepal to consider the aggressor as an enemy. Any accomplice abetting the aggressor shall also be regarded as an enemy. And to defend itself from the enemy, Nepal shall employ all available national instruments to put a rapid and decisive end to hostilities and swiftly restore the status quo.
To thwart the threat of military aggression, Nepal shall:
* refrain from branding any state as an enemy
* not employ the instrument of force in its interstate relations
* not pre-emptively deploy its military against any State
* not join any military alliance unless its national interest is imperilled
* not allow the stationing of foreign troops within its territory
* maintain a military force capable of conducting defensive operations
* consistently train its military to engage in both conventional and asymmetric warfare
* strictly adhere to the charter of the UN and international laws
* continue with its commitment to assist in maintaining international security
Under this doctrine, the following acts shall constitute as threats which will prompt a military response:
* incursion into Nepali territory by any hostile foreign armed force
* armed assault against the Nepali population or the Nepali armed forces by any organized armed group
* armed insurgency aimed at undermining the authority of the state
In addition to its core task of guaranteeing military security, Nepal's military will be prepared to undertake a range of other operations in support of its national interest and strategic objectives. Nepal's Military will be further trained and prepared for 4 additional tasks:
i) Counter Insurgency Operations (COIN): Nepal has endured a decade long brutal insurgency which pushed the nation to the brink of catastrophe. Notwithstanding the little knowledge and experience in COIN, Nepal's armed forces were haphazardly deployed to mitigate the threat posed by the insurgents. Devoid of a proper political stratagem, however, the military response failed to yield the intended outcome.
Such recurrence in the foreseeable future cannot be ruled out. Hence, effective and efficient military measures to counter such undesirable recurrences are exigent and imperative. A counter-insurgency manual will be conceived in accordance with the emerging trends in COIN, the capabilities, the needs and the past experiences of the military. Also, a new training facility will be established with the aim of equipping Nepal's armed forces with the skills necessary to engage in COIN.
ii) Peace-Keeping Operations (PKO): As a responsible stake holder of the international order, Nepal accords high importance to maintaining international security. Nepal's commitment to fostering international security has been manifested by its robust participation in multilateral peace keeping operations (PKO) under the aegis of the United Nations (UN). Nepal will continue to provide special peacekeeping training to its military and make further efforts to enhance its performance in PKO undertakings. To further reflect Nepal's staunch commitment to upholding international security, Nepal will strive to remain in the hierarchy of top five troop-contributing nations in UN sanctioned PKOs.
iii) Disaster Relief Operations (DRO): With its logistics and mobilization capabilities, Nepal's Military has throughout its history played a pivotal role in DROs. As the likelihood of natural or man-made disaster perpetually persists, Nepal's military will be kept prepared to engage in DROs. In the aftermath of disasters, the military will be mobilized to accomplish three vital tasks: a) search and rescue operations, b) distribution of the temporary relief supplies (water, food & medicine) and c) rebuilding/reconstruction process. A special Rapid Relief Unit (RRU) will be setup within the military to develop better logistics capabilities and more efficient deliverance methods.
iv) Infrastructure Building Operations (IBO): Nepal's Military has played a crucial role in the nation's development. It has been engaged in numerous infrastructure projects. With a competent supply of disciplined labour, the military has delivered on some significant infrastructure projects. During times of peace, one battalion will be specialized and dedicated to the nation's infrastructure building effort.
Taking into account the multitude of tasks assigned to the military, upgrading of military's aviation assets is indispensable. The rugged terrain of the country and the lack of proper infrastructure serve as significant impediments to even the normal mobility of troops. In contingencies, when rapid deployment is warranted, mobilization is further strained and operations are acutely affected due to the proper lack of adequate aviation assets. Thus, upgrading of aviation assets is evidently the most optimal counter-measure against these setbacks.
To enhance it aviation assets, Nepal will aim to increase its fleet of VTOL (vertical-take-off-and-landing) and STOL (short-take-off-and landing) aircrafts. Nepal will conduct a thorough need assessment and feasibility study prior to procuring an optimal mix of VTOL and STOL aircrafts. After procurement, special measures will be taken to minimize the downtime, increase the operability of the each aircraft and ensure an all-weather and all time flying capability. The upgraded aviation capabilities will aim to meet the "RST" (Reconnaissance, Rescue operations, Suppressive firepower and Transport) needs.
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