06-4-teachnote-mod3ex08R0002.pdf

Module 3

Exercise Cerulean “Cold Turkey”

Instructor Notes

INTRODUCTION

This is the first major role play exercise of the course and the first to be set in the mythical region of Cerulea. The exercise scenario concerns an international initiative led by Marislova to counter drug trafficking in the region. The Cerulean Regional Background, Cerulean “Cold Turkey” Problem and Cerulean “Cold Turkey” Roles booklets are available on the PASS exercises intranet site. It is essential that you study all of these documents before briefing your students.

An initial glance through the exercise scenario would certainly be helpful before reading these notes.

A background briefing paper on heroin trafficking as a security threat is included in the exercise briefing and the issue is discussed frequently in the press. Information sources are also listed on the background briefing paper, if you wish to read further into the subject.

The exercise involves students in a role play representing officials from Cerulea or members of international agencies involved in counternarcotics. Play is set at a conference held in Marislova to discuss bi-lateral and regional approaches to deal with drug trafficking. Each seminar member will be provided with a detailed role brief.

AIM & OBJECTIVES

The aim of “Cold Turkey” is to develop insights into the nature of the security challenge represented by transnational, illegal drug trafficking. Specific objectives are as follows:

• To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches to combat drug trafficking.

• To increase awareness of the scope for international cooperation to counter drug trafficking and the agencies that can facilitate this.

• To examine the dangers posed by links between drug traffickers and terrorist organizations.

• To develop insights into the practical problems confronting security policy makers.

• To practice discussion, negotiation and problem solving skills.

TIMETABLE

5 June – Date of issue of exercise materials and name tents to seminar leaders

6 June – Seminar leaders brief seminar and issue Cerulean Regional Background and Cerulean “Cold Turkey” Problem to seminar members

7/8 June – Assign exercise roles

9 June – Conduct exercise, suggested timings:

• Pre-seminar – put out name tents

• 10 min – Address any outstanding queries

• 1.5 hrs – “Conference” discussion chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marislova

• 30 min – Selection of measures to be endorsed by the conference

• 20 min – Briefing and discussion on findings with seminar leader

• 15 min – Seminar administration, readings Mod 4 etc.

These timings leave 15 minutes spare for use at the seminar leader’s discretion for further discussion, coffee break time etc.

EXERCISE PLAY

Each seminar member is a delegate at the conference called by the President of Marislova to discuss the regional drug problem (This is covered on page 4 of the exercise briefing) The President (Seminar Leader) wants a full and frank discussion. Therefore, this is not a ministerial level inter-governmental conference, but rather an example of “Track 2 diplomacy”, attended by lower level officials, crime and security experts and representatives from international agencies.

Please note that each delegate is essentially attending the conference in a personal rather than official capacity – students may need to be reminded of this. Do not split the seminar into national groups; your interpreters will need to be present throughout.

The conference should generate proposals that can be presented to governments in Cerulea and perhaps form the basis of a regional counter-narcotics action plan. There is no formal agenda for the conference and a non-attribution policy has been agreed. Each seminar team is expected to produce four or five concrete proposals that can be briefed to the Seminar Leader. These might include: police and/or military interdiction measures, proposals to improve liaison and coordination between law enforcement agencies, border security initiatives, regional and international assistance and cooperation, and ideas to counter corruption and narco-terrorism in the region. The exercise should provide the opportunity for a wider discussion of the problems of transnational drug trafficking and the challenges involved in international law enforcement.

I recommend that you brief the “chair” to start the session by asking each delegate in turn to make a brief statement about their role, their interests and what they hope the conference will achieve. This should launch discussion. If the conference chair has no assistant, he/she will need to nominate players to keep a record of the agreed conference proposals that will be briefed to the Seminar Leader.

ROLES

There are fifteen roles:

• Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marislova (Chair of Conference) – strong supporter of firm action against drug traffickers, favors deployment of Marislovan troops and Border Guards on counter-narcotics operations and training and logistic support for the Denabian State Police and the Gorian authorities.

• Assistant to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marislova – shares the views of the Deputy Minister

• Official, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Marislova – biggest concern is terrorism, believes deployment of Marislovan security forces could exacerbate terrorist threat to Marislova, favors training, intelligence and equipment support to local law enforcement agencies not direct involvement

• Military Adviser to the President of Marislova – concerned about threat of separatist violence in Denabia, favors more active role for Marislovan security forces in Denabia.

• Government Advisor on Terrorism, Denabia – believes that the use of Marislovan security forces is justified because of the serious nature of the drug trafficking problem, very keen to improve regional and international cooperation and assistance.

• Representative of the Movement for Kammajar Democracy, Denabia – strongly opposed to the deployment of Marislovan security forces, favors Denabian State Police in lead role in counter-narcotics operations and strong Kammarjan public information campaign to discredit militias involved in the drugs trade

• Law Enforcement Expert, Denabia – welcomes assistance from Marislovan border guards only, strongly supports cooperation with Gorian and possibly Tashmaran law enforcement authorities, wants more money and equipment for Denabian State Police.

• Member of the Council of Elders, Goria – Favors an unofficial truce between Gorian border guards and traditional smuggling groups in order to cooperate against the drug cartels, opposed to outside involvement in Goria.

• Official, Ministry of the Interior, Goria – wants to obtain assistance for Goria’s border guards, favors international help, including the deployment of Russian MOI troops, but opposed to the employment of Marislovan forces on Gorian territory.

• Member of the Chamber of Deputies, Tashmara – broadly supports Marislovan President’s initiative but suspicious of his motives, keen to obtain international assistance to set up a central drug control agency in Tashmara that could take the lead in law enforcement and fight corruption.

• Professor of Security Studies, University of Sukra, Tashmara – lukewarm about regional cooperation led by Marislova, but supportive of closer cooperation with Gorian and Denabian police and border guards, keen to obtain assistance for the Tashmaran Army’s drug interdiction operations.

• Head of European Police Assistance Mission to Denabia – can provide an EU funded border management system for Denabia but only if the security situation improves, therefore favors Marislovan government’s initiative.

• Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

– favors national drug control agencies and improved regional drug intelligence networks but opposed to the deployment of military forces on counter-narcotics operations.

• Regional Head of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Foreign Advisory Support Team (FAST) – keen to encourage regional cooperation, can offer assistance with investigations, intelligence gathering and training but only if there is a firm commitment to tough action against both drug traffickers and corruption in law enforcement agencies.

• Counselor and Liaison Officer, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Russian Federation – keen to explain Russia’s legitimate security interests in the region, proposes the deployment of Russian GKPN agents and MOI troops to assist Gorian authorities to police the Tashmaran border.

It is critical that seminar members read into their roles carefully. Unlike Cerulean Angel, everybody has a substantial role and will need to study the relevant country briefs in the Cerulean Regional Background booklet. The exercise will not be successful unless students are thoroughly familiar with the roles assigned to them

The chair of the conference will need to organize and keep discussion on track. You should select a student capable of performing this role as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marislova.

If you have fourteen in your seminar, drop the Deputy Minister’s assistant. If you have thirteen, then I recommend that you drop the Russian Federation representative. The Seminar Leader represents the President of Marislova, but has no formal role in the conference discussion.

However, there is nothing to stop you playing one of the specific exercise roles if you wish to be more directly involved and have less than fifteen students.

You may have law enforcement officials in your seminar who have direct experience of counter-narcotics work. Bear this in mind when assigning roles as these individuals could add to the practical value of the exercise.

Remember - the relative success or failure of seminar exercises depends to a large extent on the attitude of the seminar leader. An engaged, knowledgeable and enthusiastic seminar leader is a terrific motivator.