As my first point, I would like to acknowledge the vital contribution international disaster assistance that the U.S. Military provides at crucial times of urgent need…” One of the most crucial components of NGO staff security in the field is the acceptance by local committee’s of our presence.” We cultivate this acceptance by valuing cultural sensitivity, understanding local customs, demonstrating commitment in a community or refugee camp…”

Military troops can compromise the security of NGO staff by blurring the lines between military and civilian humanitarian personnel. If we work too close to the military, NGO’s become vulnerable to accusations that we are agents of the Pentagon or spies rather than operationally independent humanitarian workers.”

“As this debate continues, we must address several fundamental questions. In the long term, should DOD be involved in global programs of a purely civilian nature? What are the consequences of U.S. engagement being fronted by a military uniform?

On July 31, 2008, U.S. Senator Joseph Biden the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations held a hearing on the role of the U.S. Military in foreign relations. We have posted links to his and ranking member Senator Richard Lugar opening statements. We also included those of George Rupp of the IRC.

“I share the concern that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recently raised. ‘The military,’ he said, ‘has become more involved in a range of activities that in the past were perceived to be the exclusive province of civilian agencies and organizations…This has led to concern…about what’s seen as a creeping ‘militarization’…of America’s foreign policy. This is not an entirely unreasonable sentiment.’