Friendly and factional, as well as political, military, and even tactical centers of gravity were identified. Centers of gravity are critical issues for which failure to negotiate would compromise the success of the entire mission. Primary centers included:

• Commitment of government and factions to the resolution and implementation of prior agreements

• External influences, such as the actions of bordering countries

• Sustainment of international will

• Secure environment to disarm and restore services within

• Political confidence building

Syndicates then took individual approaches to the remainder of the problem. Two syndicates identified phases of the operation similarly, as:

• Force generation and deployment

• Security, to include stabilizing the situation, establishing a secure environment and reestablishing the rule of law

• Operations, in one case to include peacekeeping force, diplomatic, political and humanitarian efforts running simultaneously

• Transfer of authority

• Re-deploy and disband mission upon achievement of end state

Dancers provide entertainment at the closing dinner sponsored by the Bangladesh Army.

One syndicate listed tasks associated with each phase. The final syndicate defined the roles of the deployed forces based upon their functions, suggesting that the many of the activities would take place in staggered and overlapping fashion. Missing or inadequate force capabilities and groups from which to seek additional guidance were also detailed by this group, placing emphasis on the requirement for many disciplines from both military and civilian sectors. Three syndicates either selected or discussed rules of engagement.

Conclusions

Elements of a mission plan needed for a unified approach encompass not only the composition and size of military and civilian police forces, but also their legal status as established through Structure of Force Agreements (SOFAs), Rules of Engagement (ROEs) as well as the status of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees.

It was also evident that the planning process should cut across agencies and be comprehensive, including all elements critical to the establishment of peace. The longer-term view should focus on peace building and all of its components, i.e., the re-establishment of civil institutions. A clear, concise mission statement and description of the desired end state are crucial to success.

Participants in all fours syndicates felt that the time allotted was not sufficient for solving the problem in its entirety as presented. The time constraint coupled with the detail and complexity of the problem accounts in part for the differences of approach during the second part of Move 2.

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