PLANNING FOR SECURITY IN HAITI II / by Joel R Deeb

News : World Last Updated: Sep 20th, 2010 - 01:05:57 PLANNING FOR SECURITY IN HAITI II / by Joel R Deeb By Sep 21, 2010, 08:59 Email this article  Printer friendly page PLANNING FOR SECURITY IN HAITI II                         BY Joel R Deeb Political and Security Consultant on Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean   deebjr@omegamilitaryconsultant.com deebjr@aol.com  202-239-6567   The old adage that "knowledge is power" has perhaps never been truer than when applied to today's threats against the public safety of the general population, and the physical safety and integrity of individuals and private property in Haiti by domestic terrorists such as kidnappers whose action are politically motivated and the criminal gangs that roam our major cities with impunity.   Moreover, as the international community has gathered in Haiti to save the country, in the aftermath of the destructive Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake that rocked and devastated the Haitian cities of Port-au-Prince, Leogane and Jacmel, to name a few, it is prudent to remember the pre-disaster security challenges that faced Haiti, which must be addressed before massive private investments can take place to generate a more hopeful future of economic prosperity and development for the people of Haiti.  Still, security concerns in the more immediate post-disaster relief and recovery management phase of rebuilding Haiti must also be addressed to revive Haiti's economy, and prevent domestic terrorists and other violent criminals from seizing opportunities to lay the groundwork for reshaping their organizations and developing new potency.   Looking at the long term as a period of time, in which at least one variable in the security equation can be changed we envision some of the corresponding security goals for Haiti to include the following, among other more specific mandates dictated by the constitution and other laws of the land:   To establish and maintain a peaceful or non-violent national, regional and local environment that supports the effective exercise of individual freedoms and rights guaranteed by Haiti's constitution;   To provide effective assistance to Haiti's judiciary, in insuring that judicial decisions are implemented, according to the laws of the land; To protect the lives and private physical properties of all persons present on Haiti's territory, as consistent with established laws governing the freedoms and rights of all individuals;   To protect the homeland against terrorism and enemies, domestic or international, and insure public safety, the ability of constitutional authorities to fulfill their legal obligations and mandates, and protect individual lives and properties.   To fulfill all mission, goals, objectives and duties of constitutional security forces established in Haiti, in accordance with applicable laws.   Mid-term security goals may include the following:   Insure equal access to police protection and services to all persons present on Haitian territory;   Insure that all representatives of the judicial system, throughout Haiti, have access to police protection and services, as mandated by the constitution and other applicable laws;   Insure that police availability, protection and services are national in scope, and present at the local level, and that access to protection and services are sufficient and fair;   ·          Protect the lives, private properties, as well as the legal, civil and political rights of any national or foreign citizen living in Haiti;   Insure the safety and freedoms of foreign and domestic investors, and their abilities to create and operate business ventures that create jobs, especially in the context of former U.S. President Bill Clinton's mission as a Special Envoy of the General Secretary of the United Nations;   Insure that Haiti's security system obtain the human, physical and financial resources required to fulfill its mission and duties under the law;   Insure that human resources are properly trained to meet the challenges of their functions, and that police personnel are adequately equipped to fulfill their duties;   Insure the effective participation of Haiti in international police actions that are consistent with the mission and values established in international forums and supported by Haiti's legislative and executive officials;   Gather actionable intelligence on networks of sleeper or operational gangs and gang members, in particular those linked to the kidnapping and assassination squads of domestic and international terrorists, and other violent criminals;   Establish, maintain and deploy a military grade Rapid Response Team to insure the full effectiveness of security forces, especially in matters involving terrorism and the trafficking of drugs or human beings.   Shorter-term security goals in Haiti, may call for the following:   Gather actionable intelligence on operational gangs, gang members, kidnappers and terrorism suspects that will enable security forces to make critical decisions and operate successfully.   Establish, train and deploy a security intelligence organization capable of delivery the actionable information required to provide effective protection to all stakeholders in Haiti.   Establish and train a military grade Rapid Response Team that enhances the ability of security forces to insure the full effectiveness of security operations, especially in matters involving terrorism and the trafficking of drugs or human beings.   Protect the lives, private properties, as well as the legal, civil and political rights of any national or foreign citizen living in Haiti.   Insure the safety and freedoms of foreign and domestic investors, and their abilities to create and operate business ventures that create jobs, especially in the context of former U.S. President Bill Clinton's mission as a Special Envoy of the General Secretary of the United Nations.   Use responsibly the nation's resources and appropriate foreign assistance, in an effective and efficient campaign to fully restore public safety for the Haitian people in general, and for economic agents in particular:  private business entrepreneurs, producers and consumers.   Intelligence Gathering   In order to act effectively against violent gangs of criminals, kidnappers and potential terrorists, often supported by or working in cooperation with holders of the highest elected offices leading the civilian government, a new intelligence organization must be created, the members of which should understand that their services are to the nation and not to any individual, no matter how politically powerful.  Particular attention should be given to threats against business owners, entrepreneurs, their families and their business ventures.   The new intelligence organization should be placed nominally under the authority of Haiti's Minister of Justice, but work effectively in cooperation with and under the actual authority of American intelligence and law enforcement officers, and coordinate its activities, when necessary, with the Assistant Minister for Security, the national police and the U.N. forces operating in Haiti.   Protection of Civil Rights   The kidnappings, torture and murder of any individual living in Haiti, constitute violations of civil rights.  Such activities must be eradicated vigorously to restore confidence in national public safety, of which entrepreneurship and job creation depend so much.  The new intelligence force will provide actionable information to Haitian law enforcement, when deemed wise or practical, or its officers will make arrest in an independent manner.  Resources will be used to make potent and respected the powers and effectiveness of the new intelligence force.    It is also advisable to consider bringing the government of Haiti in compliance with constitutional mandates by re-activating the Haitian military, as a specialized force that deals with anti-terrorism, domestic and international, as well as the most violent aspects of the drug trade and the trafficking of human beings.   Protection of domestic and foreign investors and business entrepreneurs   Investors and business entrepreneurs, domestic or foreign, need a peaceful climate appropriate for business development and operation, in order to produce and create jobs.  Significant resources should be allocated to removing threats against entrepreneurs and their business operations.  As Haitian-American economist, and Professor of Economics, Mr. Parnell Duverger, also Omega's chief economist and senior consultant, has pointed out repeatedly, "there can be no business development and job creation in an environment of insecurity for businesses and their owners, as well as for the shoppers whose buying power serves as an economic engine."   The new intelligence force will act to protect people engaged in the business sectors, so that a new image can be created for the economic environment that attracts investors and encourages business expansion and job creation, particularly in the context former U.S. President Bill Clinton, in the exercise of his mission in Haiti, as Special Envoy of the U.N. Secretary General.         Utilization of Resources   Domestic resources and foreign assistance will be used to organize the new civilian intelligence force for action against political kidnappings and assassinations, the goal of which is to discourage market participants. The new intelligence force will act to guarantee the free flow of goods and services in the market economy of Haiti.   Potential Security Concerns in Post-Disaster Recovery for Haiti   As Haiti enters into a mode of post-disaster recovery, recommended immediate actions include:   A.      Secure Tent Cities and Crime prone neighborhood Request the participation of Haiti's National Police in designating spaces for new Tent Cities, and bring security concerns early at the planning stage.  It will be cheaper and more effective than seeking ways to add security measures later. Plan for continuity of business in designated areas of impacted cities, where clusters of business activities can take place, with pre-established security measures and police protection.   Plead for security concerns to be discussed at senior level, in business continuity meetings.   Seek assistance from Chambers of Commerce, to achieve this goal.   Keep access points to Tent Cities and other vulnerable areas to a minimum. Where possible, do not allow unauthorized vehicles to get close to protected areas, including Tent Cities.           Establish police presence within minutes of Tent Cities.           Insure highly visible police patrol in Tent Cities and crime prone areas            Enforce curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. B.      Deploy military grade security force to reinforce police  Activate a military grade security force to combat terrorism and human trafficking Deploy military grade security force to strategic areas of special concerns Devise and implement plan to protect critical facilities.  These include the following: Police Stations Hospitals Schools Food and Water Distribution Points Emergency Operating Centers Water Supplies Treatment Facilities Telephone Exchanges Hazardous Material Facilities. C.      Use military type force to secure free markets, commerce and industry D.       Activate intelligence units to guide action of police and security forces. ============================================================ Haitian-American Joel R Deeb  A Professional Political Consultant with over 20 years experience providing sound analysis, interpretation, problem solving skills land public policy recommendations for solving various political problems that affect national security, public safety and the effectiveness of government, Chairman and CEO, Omega Military Consultant, 1994 – Present Analyst, Strategic Studies / Counter Terrorism Action Plan, Latin America 1980 – Present Vice-President, Caribbean Communications Corp., 1991 – 1993. Board Member, International Fruit Basket Corp., 1979 – 1983.Board Member, Sea Food Maritime Exports Inc., 1979 – 1980. Founder and Team Leader, Hector Riobe  Anti-Duvalier Front, 1980 – 1986.Member, Haitian League for Human Rights, 1979 – 1980.Analyst, Strategic Studies / Counter Terrorism, Caribbean Region, Asia/Africa, 1979. Research : New Technologies for Defense and Collective Security in 2004 – ____________________ "La vraie reconstruction d'Haïti passe par des réformes en profondeur des structures de l'État pour restaurer la confiance, encourager les investisseurs et mettre le peuple au travail. Il faut finir avec cette approche d'un État paternaliste qui tout en refusant de créer le cadre approprié pour le développement des entreprises mendie des millions sur la scène internationale en exhibant la misère du peuple." Cyrus Sibert Reconstruction d'Haïti : A quand les Réformes structurelles? Haïti : La continuité du système colonial d'exploitation  prend la forme de monopole au 21e Siècle. WITHOUT REFORM, NO RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN HAITI (U.S. Senate report.)