Von Wildgänsen Und Pmcs

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Von Wildgänsen Und Pmcs Von Wildgänsen und PMCs. Der Wandel in der gesellschaftlichen Wahrnehmung von Söldnern in Film und Fernsehen. Dissertation zur Erlangung des Doktorgrades der Philosophie an der Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz Eingereicht von David Christopher Jaklin, Mag. phil. am Institut für Geschichte Erstbegutachter: Dieter-Anton Binder, Ao. Univ.-Prof. Dr.phil. tit. Univ.-Prof. Zweitbegutachter: Helmut Konrad, O.Univ.-Prof. Dr.phil. Dr.h.c. 2017 2 Inhaltsverzeichnis Vorwort 5 I. Einleitung 6 A. Vorgehensweise 8 B. Aufbau der Arbeit 9 C. Verwendete Quellen und Literatur 10 II. Die Problematik der Terminologie 13 D. Definitions- und Differenzierungsversuche 14 1. Völkerrecht und internationale Organisationen 14 2. Die Problembeurteilung des UN Special Rapporteur on the use of mercenaries 19 E. Wissenschaftlicher Diskurs – ein Abwägen der Grauzonen 19 1. Differenzierung von Söldnern und PMCs 19 2. Das Artikulieren der definitorischen Grauzonen 21 3. Tim Spicer – aus den Augen und dem Mund eines Beteiligten 22 4. Die Rückkehr zum alten Söldnerbegriff 23 5. Die moralische Bewertung der “Söldner” 24 F. Exkurs: Die historische Genese der Söldner 25 1. Die Condottieri 26 2. Die Reisläufer 28 3. Die Landsknechte 29 4. Der Krieg im Wandel – der 30-jährige Krieg als Zäsur 29 G. Zwischenfazit – Das Spannungsfeld der Definition 31 H. Die für diese Arbeit verwendete Definition 33 I. Vorgehensweise und Methode 33 J. Forschungsfragen 37 III. Narrative und Stereotypen 38 K. Die weißen Söldner 40 1. Dark of the Sun – The Mercenaries – Katanga 42 2. The Wild Geese und Daniel Carneys Blick auf die Weißen Söldner seiner Zeit 49 3. The Dogs of War und Frederick Forsyths Beitrag zum Genre 56 4. The Siege of Jadotville – die irische Aufarbeitung einer vergessenen Schlacht 67 L. Zwischenfazit – Abenteurer und Antihelden im Männlichkeitskult 74 M. Der Historische Kontext der „Weißen Söldner“ 76 1. Der Kongo Konflikt 1961-1963 – Die Sezession Katangas 77 2. Die Simba-Rebellion 1964-1965 87 3. Die politische Zäsur 1965 – General Mobutus unblutiger Staatstreich 94 4. Das ambivalente Verhältnis der Medien zu den Kongo Söldnern 95 N. Zwischenfazit – Stellvertreterkriege im Schatten postkolonialen Chauvinismus 97 O. Die Südafrikaner 98 1. Blood Diamond – Südafrikanische Söldner und Konfliktdiamanten 99 2. Die Gesichtslosen Akteure – diverse Filme und Serien 105 P. Zwischenfazit – professionelle Bösewichte und anonyme Lückenfüller 108 3 Q. Der historische Kontext der „Südafrikaner“ 110 1. Das Ende der Apartheid und die Gründung von Executive Outcomes 110 2. Executive Outcomes – das Betreten der internationalen Bühne 112 3. Der erste Auftrag als PMC und die resultierende Berichterstattung 112 4. Der Vertrag mit Sierra Leone 115 5. Die ambivalente Berichterstattung während des Sierra Leone Auftrags 117 6. Die Medienkampagne vonseiten Executive Outcomes 118 7. Bekannte Hintergründe der gegen Executive Outcomes gerichteten Medienkampagne 119 R. Zwischenfazit – PMCs im Kampf gegen historische Altlasten 120 S. Der Söldnerputsch 122 1. The Wild Geese und The Dogs of War 123 2. The Expendables – Sylvester Stallones Interpretation des Söldnerputsches 124 3. Chris Ryans Strike Back 125 T. Zwischenfazit – ein teils verwässertes Klischee im Wandel der Zeit 126 U. Der Historische Kontext zum Narrativ des Söldnerputsches 127 1. Die Söldnerrevolte im Kongo – Sommer 1967 127 2. Operation Anvil - Mike Hoares Söldnerputsch auf den Seychellen 136 V. Zwischenfazit – das Ende einer Ära 146 IV. Die Instrumentalisierung des Söldnerbildes 148 W. Das Bild des Söldners und die Verwendung als Mittel der Delegitimierung 148 1. Kontemporäre Beispiele für politische Delegitimierungsversuche 149 X. „Der lachende Mann“ – die Personifikation des Neokolonialismus durch die Linse der DDR 152 1. Das Medium Film in der DDR – Das Duo Heynowski und Scheumann 152 2. Vorgeschichte – Die Thematisierung des Kongo Konflikt in der BRD und DDR 153 3. Die Produktion des „Lachenden Mannes“ 155 4. Die Rezeption des Films „Der lachende Mann“ 157 5. Der Kongo-Müller zwischen Anspruch und Realität 157 6. Weitere Dokumentationen von H&S zum Thema Weiße Söldner 159 Y. Zwischenfazit 161 V. Resümee 163 Z. Formeln der Darstellung von Söldnern 164 AA. Männlichkeitssymbole 165 BB. Einfluss von Söldnern und historischen Ereignissen 166 CC. Einfluss auf historische Ereignisse durch Filmproduktionen 167 DD. Die Instrumentalisierung von Söldnern zur politischen Delegitimierung 168 EE. Ausblick 168 Abkürzungsverzeichnis 170 Literatur- und Quellenverzeichnis 172 4 Vorwort Die Erkenntnis, dass diese Dissertation zehn Jahre nach meiner ersten wissenschaftlichen Auseinandersetzung mit Söldnern verfasst wurde, lädt zu einer entsprechenden Selbstreflexion ein. Mein Entschluss das Doktorat zu beschreiten, fiel schon im ersten Semester, denn bei einem Magister aufzuhören, kam für mich nie in Frage. Insofern bedeutet mir das hier vorliegende Werk mehr, als so manchem bewusst sein mag. Mit einer derartigen Arbeit gehen leider dementsprechende Ansprüche einher: Unrealistische Vorhaben niemanden zu enttäuschen, vor allem nicht sich selbst. Pläne, ein Standardwerk zu schreiben, wohlwissend, dass dies nur den Wenigsten gelingt. Je länger man darüber nachdenkt, desto schwieriger wird es. Selbstgesetzte Ziele werden zum Fluch und man sieht sich plötzlich Problemen gegenübergestellt, die man vorher nicht erwartet hat – die klassische Situation von „Anspruch und Realität“. Ohne eine Vielzahl von Menschen wäre es mir nicht möglich gewesen diese Arbeit zu verfassen und voranzutreiben. Zuallererst sei meiner Familie und im speziellen meinen Eltern Dank ausgesprochen. Ohne ihre Aufopferung und Liebe, wäre ich nicht dort wo ich bin. Gleiches gilt meiner zweiten Familie, Michael und Iris, deren Tür immer für mich offenstand. Zahlreiche Freunde und Kollegen haben mir immer wieder Mut zugesprochen oder mich tatkräftig unterstützt: Fariza, mit ihrer Positivität. Hubert, der mich wie kaum ein anderer aktiv unterstützte. Livia und Maria, die mir sprichwörtlich in den Hintern traten, als ich aus dem Alltag nicht ausbrechen und mich der Dissertation widmen konnte. Paul, der mir immer wieder Literaturtipps sandte und aufbauende Worte fand. Sowie Velina, die mich regelmäßig auf den Boden der Tatsachen zurückholte, und gleichzeitig in den Wahnsinn trieb. Besonderer Dank gilt auch Arnold, der mir dann Zeit für meine Dissertation gab, als es am Nötigsten war. Nicht zuletzt möchte ich meinen Professoren an der Universität Graz danken. Prof. Eduard Staudinger, dessen Ausbildung zum wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten immer noch seines Gleichen sucht, Prof. Helmut Konrad, der mir als Zweitgutachter zur Seite stand und nicht zuletzt Prof. Dieter A. Binder, der mit seiner Kombination aus trockenem Humor und eindrucksvollen Vorträgen immer ein Highlight meiner Studienzeit war und sich dazu bereit erklärte, diese Dissertation zu betreuen. 5 I. Einleitung "And Caesar’s spirit, ranging for revenge, With Ate by his side come hot from hell, Shall in these confines with a monarch’s voice Cry 'Havoc!', and let slip the dogs of war, That this foul deed shall smell above the earth With carrion men, groaning for burial" - Julius Cäsar – William Shakespeare - Und Cäsars Geist, nach Rache jagend, wird, Zur Seit’ ihm Ate, heiß der Höll’ entstiegen, In diesen Grenzen mit des Herrschers Ton Mord rufen und des Kriegers Hund’ entfesseln, Daß diese Schandtat auf der Erde stinke Von Menschenaas, das um Bestattung ächzt. - Julius Cäsar – William Shakespeare -1 Ursprünglich aus dem Werk Julius Cäsar von Shakespeare stammend, nutzte Frederick Forsyth den Satzteil „Cry 'Havoc!', and let slip the dogs of war“, um einerseits sein zweites literarisches Werk einzuleiten und andererseits demselben einen markanten Titel zu geben: The Dogs of War.2 Auch wenn William Shakespeare in seinem Werk keinen Bezug auf Söldner im eigentlichen Sinne herstellte, und mit diesen Worten viel mehr Antonius die Rache Cäsars aus dem Grabe, unmittelbar nach dessen Ermordung beschwören ließ, so entstand durch die Verwendung dieses einprägsamen Satzes eine dominante Metapher und in weiterer Folge ein regelmäßig benutzter Terminus, sobald eine normative Kategorisierung von Söldnern unternommen wird. Die Verwendung von Söldnern zieht sich wie ein roter Faden durch sämtliche Epochen der menschlichen Kriege und ihrer Geschichtsschreibung. Auch wenn mit der Konsolidierung des staatlichen Gewaltmonopols eine Zurückdrängung mitsamt einer gezielten Delegitimierung dieser speziellen gesellschaftlichen Gruppe einsetzte (letzten Endes zeichnet sich das staatliche 1 William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar. Akt 3, Szene 1. 2 Frederick Forsyth, The Dogs of War. London 2011 (1974), S. 6. 6 Gewaltmonopol durch eine Verdrängung nichtstaatlicher Gewaltakteure aus)3, so war sie nie ganz wegzudenken. Mit der Verwendung und Wahrnehmung von Söldnern ging auch eine literarische Rezeption einher, sei es unmittelbar von Zeitzeugen, oder in Retrospektive von Autoren, die sich der Faszination dieses Aspektes der Kriegsführung nicht entziehen konnten. Hierbei entstanden zahlreiche Werke, die bis in die heutige Zeit ihre Bekanntheit und ihren Einfluss nicht verbüßt haben. Sei es die Anabasis des antiken Schriftstellers Xenophon, mit seiner Schilderung des Zugs der Zehntausend, also dem Rückzug griechischer Söldner aus Persien,4 oder das Portraitieren der neuzeitlichen Landsknechte im Schelmenroman Simplicius Simplicissimus von Hans Jakob Christoph von Grimmelshausen.5 Friedrich Schillers Trilogie Wallenstein thematisiert nicht nur den zeitlichen Höhepunkt des
Recommended publications
  • Congo-Zaire's 1996-97 Civil War in the Context of Evolving Patterns of Military Conflict in Africa in the Era of Independence William G
    Document generated on 09/29/2021 3:17 p.m. Journal of Conflict Studies Congo-Zaire's 1996-97 Civil War in the Context of Evolving Patterns of Military Conflict in Africa in the Era of Independence William G. Thom Volume 19, Number 2, Fall 1999 URI: https://id.erudit.org/iderudit/jcs19_02art04 See table of contents Publisher(s) The University of New Brunswick ISSN 1198-8614 (print) 1715-5673 (digital) Explore this journal Cite this article Thom, W. G. (1999). Congo-Zaire's 1996-97 Civil War in the Context of Evolving Patterns of Military Conflict in Africa in the Era of Independence. Journal of Conflict Studies, 19(2), 93–123. All rights reserved © Centre for Conflict Studies, UNB, 1999 This document is protected by copyright law. Use of the services of Érudit (including reproduction) is subject to its terms and conditions, which can be viewed online. https://apropos.erudit.org/en/users/policy-on-use/ This article is disseminated and preserved by Érudit. Érudit is a non-profit inter-university consortium of the Université de Montréal, Université Laval, and the Université du Québec à Montréal. Its mission is to promote and disseminate research. https://www.erudit.org/en/ Congo-Zaire's 1996-97 Civil War in the Context of Evolving Patterns of Military Conflict in Africa in the Era of Independence by William G. Thom INTRODUCTION The overthrow of Zaire's President Mobutu Sese Seko, for 31 years a fixture of political dominance in central Africa, in an eight month military campaign, was a shocking development. To understand the downfall of Mobutu's Zaire, an appreciation of both the military realities and the regional political dynamics of the 1990s is required.
    [Show full text]
  • Entanglements of Modernity, Colonialism and Genocide Burundi and Rwanda in Historical-Sociological Perspective
    UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS Entanglements of Modernity, Colonialism and Genocide Burundi and Rwanda in Historical-Sociological Perspective Jack Dominic Palmer University of Leeds School of Sociology and Social Policy January 2017 Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy ii The candidate confirms that the work submitted is their own and that appropriate credit has been given where reference has been made to the work of others. This copy has been supplied on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement. ©2017 The University of Leeds and Jack Dominic Palmer. The right of Jack Dominic Palmer to be identified as Author of this work has been asserted by Jack Dominic Palmer in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would firstly like to thank Dr Mark Davis and Dr Tom Campbell. The quality of their guidance, insight and friendship has been a huge source of support and has helped me through tough periods in which my motivation and enthusiasm for the project were tested to their limits. I drew great inspiration from the insightful and constructive critical comments and recommendations of Dr Shirley Tate and Dr Austin Harrington when the thesis was at the upgrade stage, and I am also grateful for generous follow-up discussions with the latter. I am very appreciative of the staff members in SSP with whom I have worked closely in my teaching capacities, as well as of the staff in the office who do such a great job at holding the department together.
    [Show full text]
  • Handbook of Second Level Educational Research: Breaking the S.E.A.L
    Provided by the author(s) and NUI Galway in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite the published version when available. Title Handbook of second level educational research: Breaking the S.E.A.L. Student engagement with archives for learning Author(s) Flynn, Paul; Houlihan, Barry Publication Date 2017-07 Publication Flynn, Paul, & Houlihan, Barry. (2017). Handbook of second Information level educational research: Breaking the S.E.A.L. Student engagement with archives for learning. Galway: NUI Galway. Publisher NUI Galway Item record http://hdl.handle.net/10379/6687 Downloaded 2021-09-24T14:02:50Z Some rights reserved. For more information, please see the item record link above. Handbook of Second Level Educational Research Breaking the S.E.A.L. Student Engagement with Archives for Learning, NUI Galway, 2017 Editors: Paul Flynn and Barry Houlihan ISBN: 978-1-908358-56-1 Table of Contents Foreword 7 Introduction 9 Moneenageisha Community College 10 Alanna O’Reilly Deborah Sampson Gannett and Her Role in the Continental Army During the American Revolutionary War. 11 Mitchelle Dupe The Death of Emmett Till and its Effect on American Civil Rights Movement. 11 Andreea Duma Joan Parlea: His Role in the Germany Army Between 1941-1943. 11 Paddy Hogan An Irishmans' Role in The Suez Crisis. 11 Presentation College Headford 12 Michael McLoughlin Trench Warfare in World War 1 13 Ezra Heraty The Gallant Heroics of Pigeons during the Great War 14 Sophie Smith The White Rose Movement 15 Maggie Larson The Hollywood Blacklist: Influences on Film Content 1933-50 16 Diarmaid Conway Michael Cusack – Gaelic Games Pioneer 18 Ciara Varley Emily Hobhouse in the Anglo-Boer War 19 Andrew Egan !3 The Hunger Striking in Irish Republicanism 21 Joey Maguire Michael Cusack 23 Coláiste Mhuire, Ballygar 24 Mártin Quinn The Iranian Hostage Crisis: How the Canadian Embassy Workers Helped to Rescue the Six Escaped Hostages.
    [Show full text]
  • 1476620137807.Pdf
    Since the middle of the twentieth century Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa in particular, has been dogged by war and its ever present partners; conquest, famine and death. Much debate can be, and is, had about who or what is to blame for this sorry state of affairs, and what is certain is that there are no shortage of political commentators who are all too happy to tell you their theories. In B’Maso I have attempted, but not always succeeded, to avoid any such postulating. Instead of politics, what the gamer will find inside is lots of information that will, I hope, allow him to refight a selection of African wars, stretching from the 1950s up to the 1990s across thousands of miles and hundreds of cultures. There are rule changes and additions that will help the gamer produce games that capture the feel of the various conflicts – some generic to Africa, others specific to one conflict. As will be seen, so much of the fighting in Africa was, in effect, the embodiment of the cold war fought by proxies. This can mean that all sorts of weird and wonderful equipment can turn up, from pre-WWII armoured trucks to the most modern technology. In many places it is impossible to provide detailed orders of battle, as formations operated on an entirely ad hoc basis, using anything that they could lay their hands on. What we have done throughout, however, is provide information on organisational structures and equipment that was used by the various nations, factions, tribes and groups.
    [Show full text]
  • Seychelles.Html the Case of the “Seychelles” the Truth Commission Files
    http://www.contrast.org/truth/html/seychelles.html The Case Of The “Seychelles” The Truth Commission Files [Seych-Report] Date (coup attempt): 25 November 1981 Place: Mahé International Airport on Mahé Island (Seychelles) Name Victim: Objective of the coup was to bring down the Seychelles government of President France-Albert René and to re-install the former President James Mancham. Information Victim: President France-Albert René: he ousted the former President Mancham in the 1977 coup [SE:167]. Mancham had been 'enthusiastically wooed by former information Secretary Eschel Rhoodie as a politically ally' and SA was unhappy with the rule of René. After the overthrow of Mancham, SA aircraft landing rights were withdrawn and SA'n economic overtures collapsed. [S.Tribune 29/11/81] Perpetrators: Hoare and his 43 mercenaries (Notes*1) were disguised as tourists: rugbyplayers and members of a beer-drinking group called the "Ancient Order of Frothblowers." They arrived in a Royal Swazi jet on Mahé, carrying their own weapons. Nine mercs (members of Hoare's advance guard) were already on the island on the evening of Wednesday, 25 November 1981. Perpetrators information: -In 1978 Seychelles exiles in SA, acting on behalf of ex-president James Mancham, began discussions with officials concerning a coup attempt to be launched in Seychelles.[SE:172] Gérard Hoareau, Seychelle dissident, was one of the authors of the 1981 coup attempt. Later expelled from SA. -As coup plans developed, the operation became en object of struggle between the Military Intelligence service (MI) and the civilian one (NIS). The SA Government allocated the coup operation to MI, but appointed Martin Dolinchek as a liaison officer on behalf of the NIS.
    [Show full text]
  • Culture Clash: the Influence of Behavioural Norms on Military Performance in Asymmetric Conflicts
    University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Innovations: A Journal of Politics Volume 8, 2008-2009 2008 Culture Clash: The Influence of Behavioural Norms on Military Performance in Asymmetric Conflicts Fitzsimmons, Scott http://hdl.handle.net/1880/112888 journal article © Innovations: A Journal of Politics 1998-2052 Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca Volume 8 – 2008-2009 CULTURE CLASH: THE INFLUENCE OF BEHAVIOURAL NORMS ON MILITARY PERFORMANCE IN ASYMMETRIC CONFLICTS Scott Fitzsimmons Department of Political Science University of Calgary Abstract – This paper establishes the ways in which the military cultures of mercenary groups and their opponents influence their military performance in asymmetric conflicts. It develops and tests a constructivist military culture theory of military performance against the empirical record of two modern mercenary groups, one of which achieved victory over its opponent and one of which was defeated. The core logic of the theory is that a grossly outnumbered force must be highly flexible and adaptable if it is to perform the range of military tasks required to defeat materially superior opponents. Norms encouraging the pursuit of a wider range of tactical behaviour should increase military effectiveness, which, in turn, should increase a group’s prospects for military success. If the theory is correct, a military force’s performance should be conditioned by the degree to which the members of the force have been indoctrinated into norms that encourage them to be militarily effective. Specifically, the theory reasons that military forces that strongly emphasize norms encouraging creative thinking, decentralized authority, personal initiative, technical proficiency, and group loyalty, should exhibit greater militarily effectiveness than forces that deemphasize these norms.
    [Show full text]
  • The Case for Mercenaries in Africa Mayank S Bubna Mr
    IDSA Issue Brief IDSIDSAA IssueIssue BrBriefief 1 The Case for Mercenaries in Africa Mayank S Bubna Mr. Mayank Bubna is Visiting Fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. Summary Despite the concerns surrounding the use of mercenaries, they remain an indispensable force on the African continent, so much so that they have been welcomed by governments, and grudgingly even been accepted by NGOs, international organizations and civilians. Private militaries are never going to completely go out of business because of the critical need for such services on the African continent. With the world unwilling to intervene in far-off conflicts, institutionalizing such a private force will almost inevitably become necessary to bring about regional stability. The Case for Mercenaries in Africa 2 In 1998, former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, stated in a speech that “When we had need of skilled soldiers to separate fighters from refugees in the Rwandan refugee camps in Goma, I even considered the possibility of engaging a private firm. But the world may not be ready to privatize peace.”1 In some ways, he was revisiting an age-old international dilemma over the recruitment of private soldiers to manage deadly conflicts around the globe. Plenty of debate has occurred around the blight of mercenaries – freelance soldiers for hire – especially those operating in Africa. They have been blamed for everything ranging from inciting further conflict and committing human rights violations, to illicit arms sales and neo-imperialism. Like all stereotypes, there is an element of truth in such accusations. Mercenaries in Africa earned themselves particular infamy during the 1960s and 1970s due to the activities of people like “Mad Mike” Hoare, Bob Denard and Jean Schramme who caused mayhem in various parts of the continent like in the Seychelles, Comoros and the Congo, amongst other places.
    [Show full text]
  • Vietnam War Turning Back the Clock 93 Year Old Arctic Convoy Veteran Visits Russian Ship
    Military Despatches Vol 33 March 2020 Myths and misconceptions Things we still get wrong about the Vietnam War Turning back the clock 93 year old Arctic Convoy veteran visits Russian ship Battle of Ia Drang First battle between the Americans and NVA For the military enthusiast CONTENTS March 2020 Click on any video below to view How much do you know about movie theme songs? Take our quiz and find out. Hipe’s Wouter de The old South African Page 14 Goede interviews former Defence Force used 28’s gang boss David a mixture of English, South Vietnamese Williams. Afrikaans, slang and techno-speak that few Special Forces outside the military could hope to under- stand. Some of the terms Features 32 were humorous, some Weapons and equipment were clever, while others 6 We look at some of the uniforms were downright crude. Ten myths about Vietnam and equipment used by the US Marine Corps in Vietnam dur- Although it ended almost 45 ing the 1960s years ago, there are still many Part of Hipe’s “On the myths and misconceptions 34 couch” series, this is an about the Vietnam War. We A matter of survival 26 interview with one of look at ten myths and miscon- This month we look at fish and author Herman Charles ceptions. ‘Mad Mike’ dies aged 100 fishing for survival. Bosman’s most famous 20 Michael “Mad Mike” Hoare, characters, Oom Schalk widely considered one of the 30 Turning back the clock Ranks Lourens. Hipe spent time in world’s best known mercenary, A taxi driver was shot When the Russian missile cruis- has died aged 100.
    [Show full text]
  • Congo to Zaire – and Back
    Page 1 of 7 CONGO TO ZAIRE – AND BACK When I was an English schoolboy – many years ago! – one (of many) dates was drummed into me: 1066, the year the Normans overturned the Saxon kingdom of Harold: if a similarly significant date were to be selected for Africa, it would undoubtedly be 1960 when no less than 18 colonies gained their independence, and of these, the largest, the richest and the youngest – only 52 years old – was the Belgian Congo. Twice the size of South Africa, but possibly of greater diversity: from dense tropical jungles sheltering the rare okapi, to snow-capped mountains, vast prairie-like grasslands, mile-high blue lakes overlooked by volcanoes inhabited by gorillas… the list is endless. A diverse population too, speaking well over 500 languages, with a rich artistic culture, in sculpture, weaving, music… The legendary wealth of Congo, once described as “a geological scandal” includes copper & industrial diamonds, cobalt & cassiterite, gold & niobium… the list is endless. Agricultural produce such as palmoil, coffee, cotton, tea were also exported in significant quantities… but its greatest wealth in many ways is the Congo River, 2 nd -mightiest in the world, sweeping like a silver highway from East to West, crossing the Equator twice, before tumbling down to the Atlantic: and in these last 100km the hydro-electric potential – the equivalent of S. Africa’s total present energy generation – could give the country an economic kick-start… 3RD Feb 1960 “The Wind of Change is blowing through this Continent” warned Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, and he was certainly better placed than most of us in Africa to predict the momentous events which were to unfold within the next few months & years.
    [Show full text]
  • Oral History: Utilising the Experience of Others
    Journal of Military History and Defence Studies Vol. 1. Issue 2 (November 2020) Maynooth Academic Publishing. ISSN 2712-0171. http://ojs.maynoothuniversity.ie/ojs/index.php/jmhds Oral history: Utilising the Experience of Others Padraic Kennedy The Irish Defence Forces Leadership Doctrine emphasises the need for lifelong study and experiential learning, and the Defence Forces have considerable experience in managing oral history projects, including the Bureau of Military History and the Military Archives Oral History Projects. However, Irish doctrine does not outline any formal method to capture these experiences as a leadership development tool or to enhance organisational memory. The aim of this paper is to examine the value of utilising oral history for leadership development and organisational memory. It demonstrates that there is a risk to organisational memory unless a formal methodology is in place to capture the experiences of Defence Forces members and connected personnel. The use of tacit knowledge, which has facilitated the handover of information to date, is not sufficient nor is the written record alone. This paper shows that a combination of multiple primary sources, including the written record and oral history, provides an opportunity to enhance leadership development. It also demonstrates that the use of oral history provides an opportunity to capture the social and human aspect of Defence Forces activities to not only enhance organisational memory but to understand the context within which decisions were made. The Irish Defence Forces Capstone Doctrine emphasises the need to build upon past achievements and to utilise Irish Defence Forces knowledge from sixty years of peacekeeping (DFCD, 2016, pp.
    [Show full text]
  • Week 4: Covert Action
    Week 4: Covert Action Coups and Popular Revolutions Sometimes elections don’t mean anything… ● Violent means are needed to remove unfriendly governments: ○ Coups ○ Popular revolutions Coups: Definition ● Sudden overthrow of the government. ○ Group from establishment. ○ Often military ○ Not ideological. Coup Menu ● US-backed: ○ Iran 1953 ○ Guatemala 1954 ○ Congo 1961 ○ Brazil 1964 ○ Chile 1973 ● Soviet-backed: ○ Czechoslovakia 1968 Iran before 1953 ● Constitutional monarchy ruled by shah. ● Elected prime ministers, ○ Mohammed Mossadeq ● Mossadeq seeks to nationalize oil industry. Mossadeq (L), Mohammed Reza Pahlavi ®. CIA orchestrates coup in 1953 ● Two possible rationales: ● Secure Iran from communism. ● Secure Iranian oil for US corporations. Guatemala after WWII ● Succession of nationalist left-leaning leaders. ● Jacobo Arbenz elected president in 1951. ● Seeks to redistribute land to peasants Arbenz overthrown in 1954 The Congo after independence ● Independence from Belgium in 1960. ● Congolese National Movement led by Patrice Lumumba wins first elections. ● Lumumba is left-leaning, but not Soviet-backed. Coup and assassination of Lumumba ● Lumumba chastises imperialism, demands Belgian troops leave. ● CIA hires assassins to kill Lumumba. ● Overthrown by Mobutu Sese Seko in 1961. ○ Killed soon after. Brazil and Chile: Two socialist leaders Joao Goulart: President of Salvador Allende: President Brazil (1961-1964) of Chile(1970-1973) Indirect support for coups Brazil 1964 Chile 1973 Czechoslovakia after WWII ● Communists win 31% of vote in free elections in 1946. ● Control interior ministry and army. ● Lose popularity after election Coup of 1948 ● Communists purge non-communist officers from army. ● Non-communists resign. ● Army takes over communist ministries. ● President Benes forced to resign. When were coups supported? When were coups supported? ● Countries nearly under influence of one superpower.
    [Show full text]
  • George P. Johnson Negro Film Collection LSC.1042
    http://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf5s2006kz No online items George P. Johnson Negro Film Collection LSC.1042 Finding aid prepared by Hilda Bohem; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé UCLA Library Special Collections Online finding aid last updated on 2020 November 2. Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library Box 951575 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575 [email protected] URL: https://www.library.ucla.edu/special-collections George P. Johnson Negro Film LSC.1042 1 Collection LSC.1042 Contributing Institution: UCLA Library Special Collections Title: George P. Johnson Negro Film collection Identifier/Call Number: LSC.1042 Physical Description: 35.5 Linear Feet(71 boxes) Date (inclusive): 1916-1977 Abstract: George Perry Johnson (1885-1977) was a writer, producer, and distributor for the Lincoln Motion Picture Company (1916-23). After the company closed, he established and ran the Pacific Coast News Bureau for the dissemination of Negro news of national importance (1923-27). He started the Negro in film collection about the time he started working for Lincoln. The collection consists of newspaper clippings, photographs, publicity material, posters, correspondence, and business records related to early Black film companies, Black films, films with Black casts, and Black musicians, sports figures and entertainers. Stored off-site. All requests to access special collections material must be made in advance using the request button located on this page. Language of Material: English . Conditions Governing Access Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page. Portions of this collection are available on microfilm (12 reels) in UCLA Library Special Collections.
    [Show full text]