SITREP 22  11 MAR 05

GENERAL SITUATION:

Probably the most interesting development this week has been the stir generated by the disclosures of Brian Steidle in regards to the
realities of the situation in the Darfur AO. He has been testifying before Congressional committees and is receiving some air time as well.
I think his exposure of the atrocities occurring on a daily basis in that area is long overdue, but I would hate to find that the atrocities
committed by the other side go unmentioned. There is ample blame to go around here, and the only edge that the GOS may have lies in
 superior ordinance and technology. Many of the people in the refugee camps only came there because of the actions of the Sudanese
 Liberation Movement (SLM) and other anti government forces.

While I still disagree with Brian position that these atrocities rise to the defined level of genocide, they certainly do constitute mass murder.
 It will be interesting to see what, if any, action is taken by the West, the UN or any other powers to terminate these horrors. My personal
opinion is that the issue will receive its fifteen minutes of fame, the world will move on to its next crisis du jour , and the killing will end as
 and when the GOS forces have achieved their strategic and tactical goals.

SECTOR 3 OPERATIONS:

The Al Reika-Frandalla-Talodi road was reopened on Monday with a quiet ceremony in Frandalla (SPLM) and the full monte in Salamat (GOS),
 to include a military brass band and a chorus of singing, dancing and ululating ladies. The one sour note was that the SPLM authorities
 refused to have a joint celebration or to meet with the GOS officials. The good news is that shortly after the conclusion of the ceremonies the
 GOS District Commissioner was able to drive the length of the road on his way to Kadugli. As yet we have not received any reports of his
 detention so we are presuming that he passed through the SPLM area unscathed.

Although yesterday’s Cross Line Police Meeting went well, it may be the last time this valuable gathering will convene. (The term “faction”
 was deemed a bit strong, thus the redubbing. A rose called by any other name, etc.) The unfortunate decision by the SPLM authorities, which
will hopefully be rescinded, to no longer allow their Police Chiefs to participate in these meetings is the worst decision that could have been taken.
 One of the critical areas of government which have been neglected or avoided throughout the CFA and CPA processes is the planning for,
and implementation of, a Joint Integrated Police Force. To see this example of grass roots initiative (CLPM) stymied by incompetent SPLM
bureaucrats is extremely frustrating. These bureaucrats should be trying to figure out what their subordinates are doing right and attempting
 to emulate or replicate it. Instead, they are trying to ensure that their own incompetence and inertia are not revealed by the superior performance
 of their subordinates by stifling the initiatives of the subordinates.

The courage shown by these Police Chiefs in attending this meeting to explain their situation despite their instructions to the contrary is
to be commended. Also to be commended is the decision by the local SPLA battalion commander to tell them to at least attend this meeting to
explain their position. This support can be considered necessary in this case.

We were visited last Saturday by the UN Force Commander designate, a major general from the Army of Bangladesh. He and the personnel
who accompanied him seemed to be grasping the fact that their mission, when they replace us, will be severely compromised by trying to operate
from a reduced number of bases as was initially contemplated by the UN planners. There is little chance of receiving word of problems if the
people must walk more than one hundred kilometers to bring it. He seemed to agree that maintaining forward operational bases (FOBs) such as
Sector 3 made far more sense, but whether the concept will ultimately prevail remains to be seen. I do not look for good sense or effectiveness
to prevail in any UN decision or endeavor.

Our friend and colleague MAJ Lorenzo Guani is back with us for a short visit. His family, and his children’s schools, have raised a combined
US $2,800.00 for supplies for several of the local schools in the Um Serdiba-Tangal area. He has devoted his last leave prior to his End of Mission
 (EOM) to organize and distribute these supplies, rather than go on a holiday to Italy. I believe I have mentioned in past SITREPs that he is a
pretty good fellow whose presence will be missed when he returns to his duties in Italy. This is just another example of why I formed the opinion
 of him that I did.

MICHAEL’S WORLD:

I volunteered to take on the duties of camp commandant (site admin, logistics and maintenance) in addition to my monitoring duties rather than
 put up with the problems that seem to occur and recur when this function is handled from Tillo HQ. Our esteemed, but unfortunately departed, colleague Paul Hughes undertook these duties in addition to his duties as site medic, but his successor has not chosen to do so. It just made
sense for someone on site to do the job, and I felt that I could find the time. The PAE logistics team in Tillo provide guidance and backup
 as required. I am therefore staying out of mischief almost entirely.

Once again leave in the States looms on the horizon, finally and definitively set for

13-29 MAY 05. I am looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible then. Michael