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SECTION V

SOME CONCLUSIONS

This statement made by a Task Force Eagle Brigade Commander during the initial phases of Operation Joint Endeavor still rings true. However, from Task Force Eagle's participation in civil disturbances, there are some very important examples of "doing it right."

• The peace accord and laws of the country are the baseline for determining the roles of the military and civil authorities.

• Coordination with the police, local authorities, the International Police Task Force, the media, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees before the event is paramount.

• Task Force Eagle's primary responsibilities was ensuring that the former warring faction's military remained non-threatening. Each civil disturbance was a potential flashpoint which could spill over to the military. Task Force Eagle had to make it clear to the former warring factions that any military involvement would be a violation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace. Military leaders were encouraged to use their influence with the civil authorities and political leaders to prevent hostile confrontations.

• The information environment must be controlled through the synchronized efforts of the Public Affairs Office, Joint Information Bureau, PSYOP and Civil Affairs, the Joint Military Commission, and the Political Advisor.

• International Organizations, such as the International Police Task Force and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, can be combat multipliers if they are involved in the process.

• The actions of non-traditional staff agencies, such as the Public Affairs Office, Joint Military Commission, Provost Marshall's Office, and the Political Advisor, must be synchronized. Their participation is decisive.

• Tactics, techniques and procedures must be developed for both planned and unplanned events.

• Events must be documented to hold the factions accountable.

Task Force Eagle has learned many lessons on civil disturbances from its experiences in Maglaj, Doboj, Lukavac, Brcko, Mahala, Lukavica, and other towns and villages throughout the former Yugoslavia. However, Task Force Eagle will be judged, partly, on how well the former warring factions learn the lessons taught them. Ultimately, Task Force Eagle's successful response to a civil disturbance would be no response at all - - but until it is assured that the civil police and civil authorities are prepared and willing to fully accept the responsibility, Task Force Eagle had to be prepared.

Section IV: Staff Coordination at Division

Appendix A: Synchronization Matrix