Montreux Document on Private Military and Security Companies

Full name of the document: Montreux Document on Pertinent International Legal Obligations and Good Practices for States Related to Operations of Private Military and Security Companies During Armed Conflict.

Background: A text containing rules and good practices relating to private military and security companies operating in armed conflict. The initiative for this document, which is the first of its kind, was launched jointly by Switzerland and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The document was elaborated by the governments of Afghanistan, Angola, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Iraq, Poland, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and the United States of America.

Press release by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs: Today, 17 September 2008, 17 States and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) finalised the Montreux Document, a text containing rules and good practices relating to private military and security companies operating in armed conflict. The initiative for this document, which is the first of its kind, was launched jointly by Switzerland and the ICRC in 2006.
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Press release by the International Peace Operations Association (IPOA): IPOA members have already begun to incorporate many of the 'good practices' into doctrine, and we look forward to working in partnership with governments, NGOs and humanitarian bodies to maximize the value of this historic agreement in follow-up projects. read more

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Palienating straight talk

Imagine you are on a fix. For the current state of world affairs shows already a minefield ahead. Imagine you want to lead the way forward. Here, pretend for a few minutes that you are John McCain. You have the means to put together a good team to help you deal with the manifold issues involved. But given advanced experience paralleling your age, your first task is finding a capable deputy to take over if necessary. As a straight-talk realist, you want to offer reassurance to the people you want to lead. Whom would you choose? Something tells me you would go for no less than commensurable and complementary experience. In no small measure, this is also due to the post involving the highest security clearance anyone could attain. This is where the story derails, because you did not follow the basics of the script.

This week, we intended to write about John McCain’s views on security contractor and what his chosen running mate would further bring to the ticket. The rushed inclusion of a centerfold to the Republican convention’s program is certainly amusing. However, just as almost everyone else, we are busy trying to find a silver lining in a firmament without any clout at all.