CONFERENCE ON THE STATUS OF ARMED FORCES AND GROUPS IN IRAQ

Preliminary Report:
 
Session Two: Roles and responsibilities: allocation of control and competence across federal, regional and provincial administrations

Sunday 9 November 2008
Time:      14h30 - 16h30
 
Chairs: Hon Omar Abdur Sataar
              Hon Hassan Hashim
 

 
Objectives for the session:
 
·          Determine how Iraq’s diversity and territorial units should be reflected in the structure of the national army?
·          What is the role of territorial units and how is this role reflected in the command structure of the army?
 
Questions for Discussion:
               
·          Which allocation of control and competences across federal, regional and provincial administrations?
·          How does the command structure of the army reflect the federal structure of Iraq?
·          What is the possible role of regional and territorial military and security forces in the defence and security of (a) their areas (b) Iraq as a whole?
·          Is there a role for compulsory universal military service in ensuring that the national army reflects the diversity and plurality of Iraqi society?
 
Discussion:
 
The participants agreed the need for a composite national army which operated under the law and worked to protect citizen’s rights.   Under the previous regime the national army was used as a political tool against segments of the population; the new Iraqi national army must be designed so that this can never happen again. One important element in ensuring that the army cannot be used as a political tool is to ensure that it reflects the variety of Iraqi society and to avoid that it be dominated by any particular group.
 
The question of how best to promote the inclusion of different groups within a national army was discussed at some length. Various systems were suggested, including quotas; however, the suggestion would require accurate information as to the composition of the Iraqi population. In addition, the participants noted the importance of professionalism of an effective national army and some remarked that a quota system might be problematic in this sense. 
 
Among the means discussed to ensure as representative a national army as possible was the introduction of compulsory military service. However, participants noted that a large conscripted military force would be a burden to a highly trained professional army. Examples of compulsory military systems abroad were also discussed. Any compulsory military service would have to respect the human rights of citizens, and service would be restricted to 1 or 2 years.
 
The ultimate target size of the Iraqi national army was discussed with reference to its strategy and purpose. It was generally considered that the target should not simply be that of matching in sizes or strength the armies of neighboring countries, but that the defense objectives of the country should rather be those of being able to protect the territorial integrity of Iraq within the context of a regional security strategy and foreign policy aiming at good relations with neighboring countries and the international community beyond that. The dangers of a regional arms race were also highlighted.
 
Participants discussed the federal nature of Iraq, and its implication on the national defense strategy and the size and structure of its military forces. It was generally agreed that Iraq's national army should operate as a single united military force under a clear national chain of command; this does not reduce in any way the role of the regional corps which operate with the consent of the regional administration. 
 
Some participants suggested that a Federal Defense Council would give the opportunity for all decision makers involved to formulate common strategies and implement a coordinated response to any needs that might arise.
 
Download the Preliminary Report of Session Two