In the intelligence collection drill, there is an actual reality along with many perceptions of various individuals. The challenge for the participants is to analyze the many perceptions in order to get through to the actual reality.
Each of the participants/trainers acting out a role (actors) should get a page describing their role. At the end of the drill, trainers should explain (but not necessarily hand out) the so-called "objective reality."
OBJECTIVE REALITY
The government of Starland has realized that the TPNI organization is a serious threat to their power. They have decided to risk making lots of threats and overtures as a way of scaring it into leaving. Some sections of the government in fact think that the intervening TPNI organization should get out. Others, however, are willing to force it out by refusing them visas and still some sections of the government are pushing for killing the intervenors.
The decision by the government has to do with whether or not they think they can kill the intervenors without a lot of international attention (especially given the upcoming EU donor conference). The government has decided that the best way for it to hold onto power is to strongly align with the conservatives and increasingly marginalize the radical factions (including the liberal opposition party). It figures, that if it can eliminate enough of the social base of radical and liberal factions through threats and killings, it can scare off support for the opposition party. This has led to an increase in violence (which is common before elections in this country) by the government-controlled paramilitary, while the government keeps a hard-line conservative stance and publicly condemns the violence. The accompaniers stand in the way between that goal and need to be dealt with.
What prevents the government from immediately killing the TPNI fieldworkers, is its strong international presence and its large set of local relationships. If, for example, a lot of internationals came down on the government, it would be a major blow to the economic viability of the current government (and, thus, a major blow in the eyes of its conservative supporters). On the other hand, by killing accompaniers it has to worry about the local reaction: which might include mass demonstrations and making them martyrs, local heroes producing rallying cries for the opposition party. Keeping in mind this balance, the government wants to maximize its chances of keeping control and kicking out the intervenors.
Key messages from the various positions:
SCENARIO:
Your team has been operating in the country of Starland for about 1 1/2 years. They have been accompanying two local organizations, one in the north of the country and another in the south. Both local organizations have been brutally repressed by the government in the past and violence has noticeably decreased since your team began working.
There has been serious on-going tension between the accompaniers and one of the paramilitary organizations controlled by the government. Already one team member was abducted, though returned without being hurt. The teams have heard rumours that there is a possible deadly attack by paramilitaries planned by the government on them, but it is only a rumour. There are also allegations that the government is trying to force your organization to get out. Teams have been asked to investigate as quickly as possible to assess these allegations and their implications. Teams will write reports back to headquarters in order to explain the information they've gathered and assess what actions they think the organization should take.
[for participants to be able to get access in one format or another; perhaps on-line]
Starland: Threats of violence
By Nomalk Klockty, Independent PressConcern is growing over a recent spate of anonymous threats directed at Starland journalists responsible for exposing alleged corruption by the country's regional politicians. The issue came to a head last week, when a regional leader of the ruling Social Democrats threatened to break a reporter's leg.
Party officials have vowed to take action to discourage such intimidation. Some analysts say the incidents signal the growing influence that the media is calling "a return to the Dark Period," the historical period when government violence was rampant. Others, however, cite outside sources as the probable causes.
Most of the recent threats have been directed against journalists and newspapers involved in exposing alleged corruption by regional politicians and businessmen. The latest such incident involves Johana Bestmann, the local administration chief and head of the current government in the southwest.
In addition to banning many journalists from attending a recent news conferences, Bestmann said of a journalist who was limping at the time, "He'd better not make me cripple his other leg." Bestmann, who is among the most influential figures, has been targeted by the media in recent years for his alleged involvement in criminal activities. Bestmann denies any threat was involved and claims it was just humor.
No other party official has made any public threats. The other threats against journalists have arrived by mail or by e-mail.
When asked about the increase of threats against journalists, Party Officials claim it is a "conspiracy to discredit them" as elections come up.
One high-ranking anonymous source said, "We suspect this sort of stirring up trouble is done by outside agitators and other groups whose sole goal is the demise of our system of democracy. There are organizations which have lost their usefulness to our country, and they are the ones true patriots should be targeting."
No physical violence has been documented against the media since 1990, when the notorious Dark Periods ended.
Rules for the actors:
Create a name for your character to make him/her yours.
Try not to talk extensively about economic/political things not on your sheet. So for example, if you are asked about something not on your sheet (like the economic situation of the country) don't make something up, just be evasive.
Don't give away your information too quickly. Be real to your character's culture -- if they would have tea before talking, have some tea. If the accompaniers don't want tea, they don't get the information. On the other hand, don't make it an hour before you reveal the pieces of your information -- part of your character's nature is to want to share its slice of information.
Feel free to add pieces about your character's history or background (long history of activism? Had a brother killed in the war? Sensitive to physical touch because of a background of abuse?) -- let that be a backdrop (not the forefront) of conversations.
Description of character
You are a child playing at a playground in the north. You are interested mainly in playing; but have seen some of the accompaniers and think they are kind of interesting. You are not politically aware and would not really understand any complex political questions.
In playing at the playground, you have seen more military officers across the street. Your friends have joked about them being there, but you really have not thought much of it.
Your mother has gotten mad at you recently for playing outside too late. She has said its gotten more dangerous outside.
Rules for the actors:
Create a name for your character to make him/her yours.
Try not to talk extensively about economic/political things not on your sheet. So for example, if you are asked about something not on your sheet (like the economic situation of the country) don't make something up, just be evasive.
Don't give away your information too quickly. Be real to your character's culture -- if they would have tea before talking, have some tea. If the accompaniers don't want tea, they don't get the information. On the other hand, don't make it an hour before you reveal the pieces of your information -- part of your character's nature is to want to share its slice of information.
Feel free to add pieces about your character's history or background (long history of activism? Had a brother killed in the war? Sensitive to physical touch because of a background of abuse?) -- let that be a backdrop (not the forefront) of conversations.
Description of character
You are a "community" mother: meaning you have been around the community for years and have served as a mother to many individuals and the whole community. You trust the accompaniers fairly well, and see some of them as another one of your sons and daughters to protect. You want them to be safe. You also know from experience that their safety is in their relationships. You want to give them important advice (such as building their safety through relationships).
You are therefore very relaxed around the accompaniers.
You stand as an elder in the community. In your years of being an elder, you have seen lots of violence and lots of different types of things happen. Throughout it all, you have been a pillar of support to those around you.
In your experience, lots of people have been threatened by the government. Though violence does happen and people do get killed, you believe that the people who stay alive in these situations are those who trust in those around them: who build community.
When the accompaniers come to your house, you always invite them in to sit and have some tea. You always check-in about the individuals' family and friends at home (since you are concerned about relationships). You value your relationship with them and are always trying to listen to them and assure them they are okay personally.
Rules for the actors:
Create a name for your character to make him/her yours.
Try not to talk extensively about economic/political things not on your sheet. So for example, if you are asked about something not on your sheet (like the economic situation of the country) don't make something up, just be evasive.
Don't give away your information too quickly. Be real to your character's culture -- if they would have tea before talking, have some tea. If the accompaniers don't want tea, they don't get the information. On the other hand, don't make it an hour before you reveal the pieces of your information -- part of your character's nature is to want to share its slice of information.
Feel free to add pieces about your character's history or background (long history of activism? Had a brother killed in the war? Sensitive to physical touch because of a background of abuse?) -- let that be a backdrop (not the forefront) of conversations.
Description of character
You have been in Starland for about 15 years. Most of your work has been involved in reporting human rights violations (of which there are many). You have made a point of avoiding direct confrontations with the government, but have had to report some things that the government has asked you not to report.
Amnesty International has never been threatened with deportation; however, Amnesty would take the threat very seriously. Amnesty already has been through a thorough analysis of its security procedures (how would it evacuate quickly, what to do with local staff, etc.).
Upon hearing of the accompaniers's situation, you immediately wondered about their safety and their security procedures. Amnesty has never been attacked by the government in Starland. You are a bit concerned about the TPNI organization getting kicked out and then making Amnesty more vulnerable. So you are very concerned about their situation.
You wonder: What protections does the organization have? What evacuation procedures does the team have? What will the organization do with local staff when/if it leaves? What about local clients when/if it leaves? Who will the team be in contact with?
Rules for the actors:
Create a name for your character to make him/her yours.
Try not to talk extensively about economic/political things not on your sheet. So for example, if you are asked about something not on your sheet (like the economic situation of the country) don't make something up, just be evasive.
Don't give away your information too quickly. Be real to your character's culture -- if they would have tea before talking, have some tea. If the accompaniers don't want tea, they don't get the information. On the other hand, don't make it an hour before you reveal the pieces of your information -- part of your character's nature is to want to share its slice of information.
Feel free to add pieces about your character's history or background (long history of activism? Had a brother killed in the war? Sensitive to physical touch because of a background of abuse?) -- let that be a backdrop (not the forefront) of conversations.
Description of character
You have been in the military for most of your life. You grew up in a family that understands the importance of supporting and protecting your country. You understand that though your country has faults, its main enemy has been external and internal forces trying to ruin it. You understand that the accompaniers are trying their best, but you want no part of their work to protect terrorists.
When asked about the political situation, in your role as a government military officer, you will give (and repeat!) the government's official position: We cannot protect the accompaniers if they are going to continue with that work.
Especially recently, a fieldworker got stabbed and abducted -- the military cannot guarantee the accompaniers safety; they are really exposing themselves to danger and threat.
(You, of course, entirely understand the so-called paramilitary is not controlled by the government and that the Starland military cannot protect the fieldworkers.)
You are a stern person and will not hesitate to explain and re-explain that government's position. You will not give any more information than what your superiors have told you to give (the government position).
Rules for the actors:
Create a name for your character to make him/her yours.
Try not to talk extensively about economic/political things not on your sheet. So for example, if you are asked about something not on your sheet (like the economic situation of the country) don't make something up, just be evasive.
Don't give away your information too quickly. Be real to your character's culture -- if they would have tea before talking, have some tea. If the accompaniers don't want tea, they don't get the information. On the other hand, don't make it an hour before you reveal the pieces of your information -- part of your character's nature is to want to share its slice of information.
Feel free to add pieces about your character's history or background (long history of activism? Had a brother killed in the war? Sensitive to physical touch because of a background of abuse?) -- let that be a backdrop (not the forefront) of conversations.
You do not have to memorize all your information (or share it all, but it is helpful to give away lots of it -- even if you know it might not be immediately useful)
Description of character
You have been a teacher for many years. You have studied political history for most of your career. You understand the work of accompaniment, but find it foolish. You also have a deep analysis of the current political situation.
Fieldworkers may understand pieces of this history, but you know it better than they do! You may not tell the whole story, but you do want the fieldworkers to know their history -- people so often neglect it when trying to understand the current political situation.
1968 -- Starland was formed as a nation by a nonviolent struggle to overthrow colonial rule; at the time, it was an elected leader from the populous power
1972 -- Starland's entrance into the international scene when European nations began purchasing the beautiful landscape in the south for tourism
1976 -- Starland's increased tourism industry gave rise to a more economically liberal party that emphasized increased military power; it was elected into government through its promises of increased job opportunities (many of which were the military)
1977 -- The great political/economic scientist Ashra Vindu wrote his ground-breaking book on the political implications of the new government policies; he was shot for his work 3 years later. The book is currently "out of print."
1977-84 -- Many more jobs were created along with an increase of power for Starland's conservative party (which is still in power to this day)
1984 -- Fifty-three significant authors, musicians, and activists sign a letter called "Letter of Freedom from Tyranny" which ask for voting out Starland's current government.
The government kills 32 of the writers (the rest flee -- mostly to Europe). For the next 6 years the government engaged in a significant military crack-down which is now called the "Dark Period." Elections took place but were questionable, at best. During the Dark Period, tourism went down because of the violence.
1990 -- The Dark Period ended when the government took strong control of the military and stopped officially-sanctioned state violence. Paramilitary violence continued but was far less widespread and moved from wiping out entire villages to targeting individuals.
1990s -- Levels of violence continued to decline.
Most recently, however, violence has escalated again. You have been watching the government and noticed a dramatic increase in the most recent months -- which you assume to be an action of the Vice President (who always leaned toward killing off political enemies).
You have seen an increased trend in the strength of the opposition party, which is fairly liberal. There is a lot of credibility lost by the current government for its economic and political policies.
You are very reluctant to say publicly your guesses about why the violence has increased.
The reason, you suspect, is that the government is trying to consolidate its power before the upcoming elections. In six months there will be new elections, and you guess that the government has decided it will try to undermine support for the opposition party with whatever it takes: including killing people who it sees as key in protecting opposition support.
Rules for the actors:
Create a name for your character to make him/her yours.
Try not to talk extensively about economic/political things not on your sheet. So for example, if you are asked about something not on your sheet (like the economic situation of the country) don't make something up, just be evasive.
Don't give away your information too quickly. Be real to your character's culture -- if they would have tea before talking, have some tea. If the accompaniers don't want tea, they don't get the information. On the other hand, don't make it an hour before you reveal the pieces of your information -- part of your character's nature is to want to share its slice of information.
Feel free to add pieces about your character's history or background (long history of activism? Had a brother killed in the war? Sensitive to physical touch because of a background of abuse?) -- let that be a backdrop (not the forefront) of conversations.
Description of character
You have been supportive of the TPNI organization's work and watching them, but from afar. You personally think they have put themselves in a huge amount of risk and danger for little reason. Afterall, you trust the political system.
You also are politically sophisticated and cannot see why the government would kill them now. There is an upcoming meeting of European Union (EU) donor countries to Starland -- a bad time for increased violence.
Rules for the actors:
Create a name for your character to make him/her yours.
Try not to talk extensively about economic/political things not on your sheet. So for example, if you are asked about something not on your sheet (like the economic situation of the country) don't make something up, just be evasive.
Don't give away your information too quickly. Be real to your character's culture -- if they would have tea before talking, have some tea. If the accompaniers don't want tea, they don't get the information. On the other hand, don't make it an hour before you reveal the pieces of your information -- part of your character's nature is to want to share its slice of information.
Feel free to add pieces about your character's history or background (long history of activism? Had a brother killed in the war? Sensitive to physical touch because of a background of abuse?) -- let that be a backdrop (not the forefront) of conversations.
Description of character
You have been a client accompanied by the TPNI organization for about 8 months. You trust them and appreciate their protection: you are certain it has protected your life and given you increased recognition among peers to do your work. There are upcoming meetings that you want them to attend with you as accompaniment.
You have been given death threats by the government half a dozen times -- it is their favorite scare tactic. You are certain the government would never kill internationals: especially those as well-connected as the international accompaniers.
Rules for the actors:
Create a name for your character to make him/her yours.
Try not to talk extensively about economic/political things not on your sheet. So for example, if you are asked about something not on your sheet (like the economic situation of the country) don't make something up, just be evasive.
Don't give away your information too quickly. Be real to your character's culture -- if they would have tea before talking, have some tea. If the accompaniers don't want tea, they don't get the information. On the other hand, don't make it an hour before you reveal the pieces of your information -- part of your character's nature is to want to share its slice of information.
Feel free to add pieces about your character's history or background (long history of activism? Had a brother killed in the war? Sensitive to physical touch because of a background of abuse?) -- let that be a backdrop (not the forefront) of conversations.
Description of character
You have been accompanied by the TPNI team for about 2 months. You trust them and appreciate their protection: you are certain it has protected your life and given you increased recognition among peers to do your work. There are urgent protests where you want their protective accompaniment. You are also secretly worried about losing respect among your co-workers and getting yourself in a bad situation if they stop protecting you so early (afterall, you have been telling people they would protect you until you were assured safety -- which you are not).
You have been given death threats by the government half a dozen times -- it is their favorite scare tactic. You are certain the government would never tell someone they want them dead and then kill them. Instead it would keep it quiet as it kills them.
Rules for the actors:
Create a name for your character to make him/her yours.
Try not to talk extensively about economic/political things not on your sheet. So for example, if you are asked about something not on your sheet (like the economic situation of the country) don't make something up, just be evasive.
Don't give away your information too quickly. Be real to your character's culture -- if they would have tea before talking, have some tea. If the accompaniers don't want tea, they don't get the information. On the other hand, don't make it an hour before you reveal the pieces of your information -- part of your character's nature is to want to share its slice of information.
Feel free to add pieces about your character's history or background (long history of activism? Had a brother killed in the war? Sensitive to physical touch because of a background of abuse?) -- let that be a backdrop (not the forefront) of conversations.
Description of character
You have been involved in the human rights commission for most of your political career: you see it as your way of protecting human rights in your country. It means you have had to compromise a lot: but you understand compromising is part of life and part of this work.
No international human rights workers have been killed, though you know there is an ominous trend of violence. You worry about the accompaniers. You think their work is awfully dangerous (a little foolish) but recognize that is their choice.
In the end, you think the accompaniers should stay in the country but stop all work.
Rules for the actors:
Create a name for your character to make him/her yours.
Try not to talk extensively about economic/political things not on your sheet. So for example, if you are asked about something not on your sheet (like the economic situation of the country) don't make something up, just be evasive.
Don't give away your information too quickly. Be real to your character's culture -- if they would have tea before talking, have some tea. If the accompaniers don't want tea, they don't get the information. On the other hand, don't make it an hour before you reveal the pieces of your information -- part of your character's nature is to want to share its slice of information.
Feel free to add pieces about your character's history or background (long history of activism? Had a brother killed in the war? Sensitive to physical touch because of a background of abuse?) -- let that be a backdrop (not the forefront) of conversations.
Description of character
You are a well-respected elder and expect others to defer to your respect. You are not easily insulted, but you talk less when you feel people are not giving you your due respect. This includes letting you talk and give out your advice. (And you have lots of advice from your years of experience.)
You also deeply respect the accompaniers' commitment to nonviolence and their willingness to risk themselves. For that reason, you are willing to share information that you think might compromise your relationship with your family. Of course, you are concerned about sharing anything and want to be sure that nothing you say will become public (at the same time, you need to keep your rank and not feel like you are "hiding" things because you are afraid).
Your first cousin's brother is a high-ranking officer in the country. He has told you that there are some sections of the government that would gladly kill the accompaniers. They consider them a complete nuisance. You have already heard that others emphasized the international public relations nightmare that would be caused by that: and so have decided the accompaniers should not be killed. You have not heard anything else from your source (who you choose to keep highly anonymous).