Special Hearings — Caprivi Hearings — 1997-08-11

MR MARITZ: And, while I'm reading, may I add the comment that that would be one of the most important reasons why one would have such a thing as contra-mobilisation in order to make the theatre in which the insurgent has to operate as unfriendly as possible for him.  Would you agree with

MR MARITZ: /that?  ---

MR MARITZ: 1B that?

WITNESS:   Ja, the contra-mobilisation would be the political component and would contribute directly to the political component of the strategy.

MR MARITZ: Absolutely.  And then he says in paragraph 9,

MR MARITZ: "The life of the people under the government must be made perceptibly better than that offered by the insurgents or that in areas infested or controlled by insurgents."

MR MARITZ: Would you agree with that?

WITNESS:   Correct.

MR MARITZ: In 10, he says,

MR MARITZ: "Since the stake in revolutionary warfare is the control of the populace the first essential is to assure the people of their protection by active measures and by giving them the means of defending themselves, especially against terrorism."

MR MARITZ: Would you agree with that?

WITNESS:   That's according to Pops Fraser, yes.

MR MARITZ: And I suppose one could develop this principle somewhat in regard to the present matter before this panel, that it appears as if it would connect with the principles stated here in clear terms.  Would you agree with that?

WITNESS:   Would you just read that principle again, please, just to refresh my mind.

MR MARITZ: He says,

MR MARITZ: "Since the stake in revolutionary warfare is the control of the populace, the first essential is to assure the people of their protection by active measures

MR MARITZ: /and by giving

MR MARITZ: 1B and by giving them the means of defending themselves, especially against terrorism.

WITNESS:   Correct.

MR MARITZ: Then, in 11, he says,

MR MARITZ: "The morale of the population must be kept high."

MR MARITZ: Do you agree with that?

WITNESS:   It's self-evident.  It flows from the preceding principles.

MR MARITZ: "12. Reprisals, as a long-term policy that might harm possibly innocent persons, are to be avoided at all costs."

MR MARITZ: That makes sense?

WITNESS:   That makes sense.  Could - would you, just for my benefit - I don't think I heard the words correctly, I'm having difficulty hearing you a bit, but could you read the first component of that sentence?

MR MARITZ: "Reprisals, as a long-term policy that might harm possibly innocent persons, are to be avoided at all costs."

MR MARITZ: In other words, as far as I understand him, as a layman, he's saying that if you adopt tactics or practices in conflict with all the principles that have been stated above you are defeating the whole purpose of the exercise.

WITNESS:   As long-term policy.

MR MARITZ: Absolutely.

WITNESS:   As long-term policy.

MR MARITZ: And he says so, yes, not so?

CHAIRPERSON: Sorry, Dr Williams, it may help you to put your headphones on and have them on on channel 2, which is the English channel.  You'll be able to hear Mr Maritz more clearly.  That's why we've all got it on.  Can you hear me now?

WITNESS:   Ja, that's better, thanks.

MR MARITZ: Can you hear me better now too, Doctor?

WITNESS:  Perfectly.

MR MARITZ: /Then he says

MR MARITZ: 1B Then he says in paragraph 13,

MR MARITZ: "A government must re-establish authority over the population by following a firm and demonstrably resolute policy through all its agencies."

MR MARITZ: Would you agree with that?

WITNESS:   That's correct.

MR MARITZ: "14. It is essential to maintain contact between the government and the population by continuing the normal functions of government."

MR MARITZ: And this appears to me to be paramount, because one has to try at one's utmost to normalise the situation if you want to benefit your own policies and strategies, not so?  Then he says in 15.

MR VISSER: He didn't answer.

MR MARITZ: No, he didn't.

WITNESS:   Yes, that's correct.

MR MARITZ: "A government's aim must be not only to annihilate the insurgent but especially to eradicate his influence upon the population."

MR MARITZ: That is so?

WITNESS:   Ja, it's a well-worn military principle applied elsewhere as well.

MR MARITZ: In 16. he says,

MR MARITZ: "The population must be educated as to what revolutionary war means and what steps the government has to take to counter it."

MR MARITZ: So you've got to once again try and gain the confidence of the populace, not so?

WITNESS:   Absolutely.

MR MARITZ: In 17. he says,

MR MARITZ: "Effective government, supervision and

MR MARITZ: /control of

MR MARITZ: 1B control of the personnel teaching at educational institutions attended by the indigenous population is essential."

MR MARITZ: ---   Correct.

MR MARITZ: It sounds like a part of the, "Hearts and minds strategy" once again.

WITNESS:   Well, that flows from it.

MR MARITZ: In particular.  And then in 18 he says,

MR MARITZ: "A Government must have an efficient imaginative and effective information and psychological operations service."

MR MARITZ: ---   Correct.

MR MARITZ: Then he refers and he's got a sub-heading, "Principles concerning government organisation".  Then he says in 19,

MR MARITZ: "The government must have strong national support reflected in an effective parliamentary majority."

MR MARITZ: ---   Correct.

MR MARITZ: So it sounds to me what he's advocating is that if you preach democracy you must practice democracy.  In 20. he says,

MR MARITZ: "Bureaucratic delays and inactivities caused by long established departmental and inter-departmental procedures are frustrating enough in normal times but are as dangerous in revolutionary war as is subversion itself."

MR MARITZ: That is also self-evident.  In 21. he says,

MR MARITZ: "The fighting forces, the police and government departments must be adapted to revolutionary warfare."

MR MARITZ: /---  Correct.

MR MARITZ: 1B

WITNESS:   Correct.

MR MARITZ: Which is also self-evident.

MR MARITZ: "22. A government must establish joint control machinery (political, civil administration, police and armed forces) under single command at all levels for the implementation of the strategy laid down by the Cabinet."

MR MARITZ: Would you agree with that?

WITNESS:   It's really a concept of the joint operational centre liaison.

MR MARITZ: Yes.  In 23. he says,

MR MARITZ: "Leaders at all levels of government, political as well as policemen, soldiers, airmen, sailors and civil servants must have a thorough understanding of counter-insurgency and the joint and several responsibilities of all departments in this type of warfare."

MR MARITZ: ---   Correct.

MR MARITZ: That harks back again to the total strategy concept, where there as an attempt at co-ordinating a cohesive joint effort by everybody concerned with the State administration and so on.  You would agree with that?

WITNESS:   Correct.

MR MARITZ: Then he says in 24.

MR MARITZ: "There must be a first-class intelligence organization that is fully representative of all information agencies, properly integrated and able to collate, evaluate and disseminate to

MR MARITZ: /leaders on

MR MARITZ: 1B leaders on the spot day to day tactical information that will enable them to fight their battles successfully.  It must also collect, evaluate and disseminate to the appropriate leaders all other types of intelligence.  The opinions of this co-ordinated intelligence organisation must be accepted and acted upon."

MR MARITZ: This is also what transpired during the revolutionary years.  Do you agree with that?

WITNESS:   Correct, the principle at least.

MR MARITZ: In 25. he says,

MR MARITZ: "The highest possible standard of security, particularly in government departments, the police and the fighting forces is imperative."

MR MARITZ: Then he says under a sub-heading, "Some other principles", in 26.