UK must still learn lessons of post-conflict reconstruction
Defence committee has called for firm plans for post-war reconstruction in report out today
Thursday, 18, Mar 2010 12:01
By inthenews.co.uk staff.
Britain must do more to put in place robust plans to coordinate reconstruction in the aftermath of international conflicts should they arise in the future, an influential groups of MPs has said.
A Commons defence committee report says that when UK troops are committed to operations in future there must be firm plans set out for military and reconstruction efforts, from "the earliest stages".
Published today, the 'Comprehensive Approach: the point of war is not just to win but to make a better peace' report recommends that the government lay out the requirements of the 'Comprehensive Approach' - the combination of civilian and military actors in a counter-insurgency operation.
The committee claims that if this can be done it will help to preserve all the lessons learned in the complex operations of Iraq and Afghanistan, many of which have been re-learned from Bosnia, Kosovo and even Malaya.
They added that it is vital that the knowledge and skills gained during deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan are retained and built on.
Chairman of the committee, James Arbuthnot, said: "At the start of operations like these, the government should formally announce what government departments are to have what responsibilities.
"We would want to see leadership, clear objectives, a defined end state, strategy, tactics and details of the nature of civilian and military personnel required."
The approach requires close work with local people to build up their capability and confidence in all fields including security, governance, law and order and development - which the committee says must include women at all levels.
Mr Arbuthnot added: "Communication is a key component of the use of the Comprehensive Approach and any strategy must include plans for conveying the strategic intent of the mission to local nationals and also to the British public in an informative but fair and balanced way."