Re: The Taking of Names
Lee laughed at Kelsey's boast, although it was probably true. As an infantry signaler, there would have been no need for any kind of sophisticated surveillance equipment, but Kelsey's months of experience in the DRI probably taught her a few tricks.
"Well, we don't have the gear here we once did, but the RCMP did engage in counter-intelligence during the war. Not so much now."
She gave her input on how to resolve the Stickmen dilemma.
"With all due respect to Mr. Belanger, planting a wire on the kid is something we wouldn't do at this stage of the game, anyways. We don't know if we can trust him, the chance of accidental discovery is too risky, and so on."
"I agree that Kelsey would make a good control for the kid instead of a Mountie like me. Of course, I will assist as much as possible if she likes."
In other words, her experience in the RCMP's anti-gang unit had given her considerable experience, but she would let Kelsey take the lead.
"As for the prospect of dislodging the Stickmen from the Park, let's not be hasty in action. There is much intelligence to gather and verify, and different approaches to contemplate."
"There are, in my opinion, 4 similar scenarios to consider: the Mowhawk Warriors at Oka, the Branch Davidians in Waco, MOVE in Philadelphia and the Nuwaubians in Georgia."
"During the so-called Oka Crisis in Quebec in 1990, the Mohawk Warriors were a radical native-rights group that clashed with police over the building of a golf course on "traditional" tribal lands that were not part of the reserve. They then occupied public and tribal lands to protest social, economic and political conditions. The stand-off with Quebec police was successfully dealt with by deploying Canadian Forces (there being no Canadian equivalent to Posse Comitatus) who cordoned the radicals to isolate them; people were let out but not into the reserve. The cordon was then continually constricted until the radicals were confined to a single building, the band's rec centre. The last hold-outs surrendered. No further casualties resulted other than a Sûreté du Québec constable killed in the initial police action."
"In Waco in 1993, we all know that the same classic containment strategy did not work. Religious and radical social beliefs created a "bunker mentality" centred around a charismatic religious leader, and a lengthy stand-off resulted. The siege ended in disaster; more say the fire the ended it was accidental, some say it was lit by the Davidians themselves to commit suicide, others claim it was the government. All agree that the strategy used was a complete failure resulting in total civilian casualties as they still not surrender."
"In Philadelphia in 1985, a stand-off between radical quasi-religious social and political activists and police also ended in complete tragedy. Well-situated in prepared urban defenses, an accidental fire set by a bomb intended to be the opening move in a police assault caused extreme civilian casualties because they still would not abandon their fortified positions."
"Lastly, the social and religious extremists of the Nuwaubians occupied a fortifiable compound in rural Georgia. Building on "lessons learned" during the Waco siege, a containment strategy was eschewed except as a last resort. Instead, the cult leader, Dwight York aka Malachai Z. York, etc. etc. etc. was identified as the spiritual and motivating element of the group. He was isolated and arrested off-compound, while separated from his followers and thus his power base. Leaderless, the entire compound and all followers were simultaneously captured without incident or resistance. This speed was crucial, as the Nuwaubians were gathering support from various sympathetic legitimate political leaders and social activists who were beginning to critise "government interference" in the Nuwaubians' affairs."
"Of course, we should hope to emulate either the first or fourth examples. The first used containment, which is the usual strategy for dealing with barricaded suspects or political or social radicals."
She paused for emphasis, looking at the others.
"Bear in mind, it was believed, correctly, that the Mohawks were ultimately not interested in giving up their lives for their cause, and were more interested in making a political statement and not escalating into further violence. Also, they lacked a strong central leader. "Their "centre of gravity" was their land and their political demands. Isolated and having taken their protest as far as they could without escalating, they eventually surrendered without a fight."
"Contrarily, in the last example, the group's "centre of gravity" was identified as their messianic leader. Once isolated from him, containment was quickly achieved and the compound secured without incident or a lengthy seige."
Lee sipped her coffee, leaving it to Clarke and the others to debate the pros and cons of the different approaches.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:02, Sun 15 June 2008.