tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post5604851658025867749..comments2024-02-06T08:33:52.695+02:00Comments on Eeben Barlow's Military and Security Blog: WHY GOVERMENTS FAIL...Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-24145572573481431262012-09-12T14:45:23.981+02:002012-09-12T14:45:23.981+02:00I do not think that those contracts will be availa...I do not think that those contracts will be available anymore Cate. My reason for this comment is that EO ceased to exist in the late-1990s and by law, all company documentation is must be kept for a certain period. It is usually destroyed thereafter.<br /><br />You may find some information in my book (Executive Outcomes, Against all Odds) or in Roelf van Heerden’s book (Four Ball, One Tracer). But the focus of those books was not to cover the terms and conditions but rather the task at hand. <br /><br />Alternatively, you may try the Sierra Leonean embassy in Aus (I am sure there is one) or perhaps direct your query directly to the government of SL. <br /><br />Hope that can help.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />Eeben<br />Eeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-91479591266276504892012-09-12T03:53:25.694+02:002012-09-12T03:53:25.694+02:00Hello,
I'm currently writing my thesis on the...Hello,<br /><br />I'm currently writing my thesis on the efficacy of using PMCs in COIN operations and am using EO in Sierra Leone as a case study. <br /><br />I'm searching, in vain, to find a detailed summary of the terms of EO's contracts there. Do you know where I might be able to track these down? <br /><br />Thanks for any information you can provide.<br /> <br />Cate <br />Canberra,AustraliaCatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07354436976888666856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-72547293006856076742012-08-02T09:51:59.165+02:002012-08-02T09:51:59.165+02:00Thank you for your contribution, Zach. You have gi...Thank you for your contribution, Zach. You have given us some really good insight into legitimacy – something you correctly state is not always understood by those that partake in the insurrection. <br /><br />The piece I wrote was really an abridged extract from the book I am currently writing and it assumes that governments have legitimacy – and despite that legitimacy, it can still fail in its endeavours to quell an insurgency. However, I did list legitimacy as one of the reasons for failure – although I did not give it as much prominence as you did – something I ought to have done.<br /><br />As legitimacy is derived from the populace, I always find it amazing how some governments, once they have received that legitimacy, squander it in favour of governing for themselves and to hell with the populace. This is not something unique to Africa either. <br /><br />On the other hand, governments sometimes find that even though they have the support of the populace, they do not necessarily have that acceptance of the international community. <br /><br />Politics is indeed a strange occupation!<br /><br />Thanks again for your input and good luck with your studies.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-25059490982330150452012-08-01T22:20:03.701+02:002012-08-01T22:20:03.701+02:00Howdy,
I am a political science student so the qu...Howdy,<br /><br />I am a political science student so the question of how a government does its part in countering such domestic upheavals interests me greatly. Personally I would put an emphasis on asserting or maintaining legitimacy. There are numerous reasons why insurgencies might arise, even in nations that practice good, contemporary political discourse. However most, if not all armed civil conflicts stem from the same basic problem: a lack of legitimacy. This is not to imply that the individuals participating in the conflict on either side or the regime that is threatened will necessarily understand this to be the cause. Indeed a lack of legitimacy takes any forms, most frequently unchecked corruption, most notoriously when governments force sanctions, criminalize, take actions against, or institutionalize the inequality of a certain subset of the population.<br />Legitimacy is the basis of government; the monarchies of centuries past derived their legitimacy from divine right. That worked until the governments found it necessary to weaken their particular Church and in doing so undermined their source of power. Later, the monarchies that had survived the dissolution of theater-wide religion were forced into parliamentary systems to preserve unity, the legitimacy of the monarch had become second to the legitimacy of currency, this provided an avenue for the aristocracy of many nations (I am thinking of Brittan as an example) to take power from the monarch and invest it in a legislative body. This movement towards a broader base from which a government could draw its claim of legitimacy eventually led to the modern forms of democracy we are acquainted with. At present democracy is the most legitimate form of government, by that I mean one can draw a straight line from the decisions made by the people of a democratic nation to the decisions made by the legislative and executive bodies of that nation and therefore the law and policies will reflect, to a certain extent, the will of the people (note: this applies more to some nations than others and it can certainly be argued that in certain circumstances the will of the people is entirely subverted by elected officials, it is also important to note that there are many forms of democracies and some have a greater claim to legitimacy than others). <br />The modern constitutional state is capable of a significant amount of latitude if its base of legitimacy is intact, i.e. military action to protect against invasion, police action to control the populace, and actions abroad may be undertaken without significant risk to the regime. In the instance of police action to control the populace upheavals are easy to quell when the people want to be governed, if support for the political structure is intact the desire to return to normal life is evident. Regimes that cannot claim that populace as the source of their legitimacy have few other options to back up their claim. Those other options are the legal structure of the nation or the military might of the regime. Both of these claims can be defeated, the first by legal contradiction or public will, the second by arms or international intervention.<br />Regimes that are forced to depend on a legal or militaristic claim to legitimacy are weak and unstable. Few such regimes last a generation and those that do are destined to use force to maintain their position. Examples include North Korea, Libya, Egypt, etc. I am at a loss to provide an example of a regime that possessed a legal claim to sovereignty that did/does not depend on force.<br />Alright, clearly I have no question to present to you Eeben, nor any disagreement with the argument you’ve presented. However I hope this illustration of legitimacy has been enlightening regarding the governments duty in restoring order, because you are exactly right, it is 80% their job. But at least 75% of their task is to restore or strengthen their claim of legitimacy, the other 25% is getting the water back on, healing the wounded and bridging whatever divide led to insurrection in the first place.Zachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10363692878450410927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-76698343625522228052012-07-19T09:41:16.555+02:002012-07-19T09:41:16.555+02:00That is correct, Robin. I understand a few kids we...That is correct, Robin. I understand a few kids were named after EO men. <br /><br />There were many things that were wrong in EO as we often had to learn as we went along. But all in all, I am immensely proud of the men who made it what it was. However, I cannot understand a company giving the very men who make the company what it is leave and then not paying them. Pathetic at best.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-12708561211461865322012-07-18T14:03:31.126+02:002012-07-18T14:03:31.126+02:00Hi Eeben,
I read that they named their new born a...Hi Eeben,<br /><br />I read that they named their new born after Roelf!! How he did what he did in SL, I have no idea. He literally administered and policed an entire region of that country. <br /><br />As for that Nigerian report, it's fraught with inaccuracies, and some wonder why you won't entertain reporters...prime example.<br /><br />As for my collection of books, I do have a very extensive and valuable collection. But, if I want to know the truth, the real picture, I need to read the same story through more than one eyewitness. In doing so, not only do I see the truth, but I am also fortunate to get rich detail when the recollections link up.<br /><br />One fact that rings through and throughout about EO in all my reads, is that there was a genuine care for their personnel. Your book is very clear on the lengths that EO went to, to evacuate the wounded and to get them to the best medical facilities at massive cost to the company. A fact that I recently learned was that EO was one of the only PMC's that paid leave. Nellis documented that when he took leave he was paid. <br /><br />EO was one of the greatest companies, and the wonderful thing is that, as you so rightly say, through these books, it will live forever and will be viewed through facts not imagination and speculation. <br /><br />Regards<br />RobinRobinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11581512595319871856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-17541864058530803822012-07-16T13:53:21.909+02:002012-07-16T13:53:21.909+02:00Thanks for the link Owi.
It is unfortunate that ...Thanks for the link Owi. <br /><br />It is unfortunate that journalists in Nigeria perpetuate the story that Military Intelligence in SA started. It is a fact that I met Tony B in 1993 and I think the last time I saw him was in 1996. But, lazy journos research their stories on Google and, when they don’t find what they are looking for, they become “creative”. <br /><br />I would have thought that Nigerian journalists had more important things to write about than perpetuate disinfo and try to smear someone who is investing in the country. But such is the power of the internet.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-88920440027743009552012-07-16T13:42:10.705+02:002012-07-16T13:42:10.705+02:00The majority of men in EO were great men, Robin. O...The majority of men in EO were great men, Robin. Of course, there were problems with a few and many who later claimed to have been EO but never were. Men such as Roelf did their jobs well and in fact, some local parents in SL named their kids after many of the EO guys – including Roelf.<br /><br />It sounds as though you are building up quite a collection of books. <br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-34079902883328526192012-07-16T01:01:43.714+02:002012-07-16T01:01:43.714+02:00Hi Eeben. I saw this article in a Nigerian newspap...Hi Eeben. I saw this article in a Nigerian newspaper today and it mentions you specifically and past dealings of executive outcomes. The article attempts to draw business links between you and a fellow called Tony Buckingham and also a company called shoreline oil.I think you will be very interested in the article. Follow the link below: <br /><br />http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=92278:former-mercenary-signs-850m-nigerian-oil-deal&catid=31:business&Itemid=562Owihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03109312159636712961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-56555454444218736252012-07-15T16:31:39.014+02:002012-07-15T16:31:39.014+02:00Hi Eeben,
Sadly, I don't think Roelf's bo...Hi Eeben,<br /><br />Sadly, I don't think Roelf's book will be in SA yet. I order from bookdepository.co.uk (or .com) They ship free internationally and seem to get these books first. And I must add, they deliver very quickly.<br /><br />One thing that Roelf's book shows is how incredibly adaptable a well trained/experienced force can be and how they clearly used 'other' things to counter the vegetation. It is a must read. Another thing I like is that he talks of failures on EO's part. The book is not just sunshine, he talks about the first time he ever turned around while on an advance, it is a brilliant read. He is an extraordinary man, (and I don't mean to detract from the fact that most EO men were giants).<br /><br />Hope you get the book soon. Guaranteed to delay your completion of your book even further! I cannot put it down. I'm tying it in with your book, Fearless Fred's, AL J Venter's 2 books and a book by a West African author. WOW!<br /><br />Thanks for always answering all replies. Sincerely, thank you.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11581512595319871856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-89194092363626228972012-07-15T10:14:24.688+02:002012-07-15T10:14:24.688+02:00Thanks for your visit, Ben.
Unfortunately, I have...Thanks for your visit, Ben.<br /><br />Unfortunately, I have no desire to speak to the media on most things, least of all on what I am now doing.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-64879093138309972642012-07-15T10:12:36.560+02:002012-07-15T10:12:36.560+02:00Thanks for the link, Alex.
I am not convinced th...Thanks for the link, Alex. <br /><br />I am not convinced that an integration of rebel forces that have not conclusively been defeated into a regular army makes that much sense – unless it is very strictly overseen. The mess the UN have achieved in the DRC is an example of what can go wrong if you arm and retrain rebels forces and they then take back to the jungle. <br /><br />FAA correctly assessed that the UNITA’s military forces were at odds with the political structure and wanted the war to end. But still, the forces of UNITA had to be defeated on the battlefield. That would have made integration easier but still not without its problems. However, the internationally imposed ceasefire simply gave UNITA breathing space to rearm, recruit new forces to replace the decimated forces and then go back to war – whilst being “overseen” by the UN. <br /><br />History is written by the victor and therefore, the SADF, Koevoet and other SA forces will forever remain the “evil ones”. All the lessons that were learnt during those years are not accepted as it would be politically incorrect to do so. <br /><br />I believe that rebels or terrorists must be relentlessly pursued and destroyed with ruthless aggression. Only once they are defeated can a negotiation take place but if it is done from a position of weakness by the government, then it is a waste of time. <br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-60033449094350136162012-07-15T09:43:41.522+02:002012-07-15T09:43:41.522+02:00I wrote about these clowns in my book, Mike.
The...I wrote about these clowns in my book, Mike. <br /><br />The compiler of that report was the same person who set up a fake EO to ensure that he and his cronies could generate a lot of false information on the company and get paid. Not only was he using the intelligence services as a cover for his economical crimes, he later (just a few years ago) fleeced the SA government and a European government out of millions of dollars. Perhaps because he was one who fed the media they did not dare report on his criminal activities. <br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-5818316321731875402012-07-15T09:39:24.486+02:002012-07-15T09:39:24.486+02:00I too am looking forward to readings Piet’s works ...I too am looking forward to readings Piet’s works on 32 Bn, Robin. Sadly though, I have not been able to find Roelf’s book in my local down the road. I have noted that there are several new books appearing written by men who were there. If they do not document their side of what they saw, felt and experienced, some important history will be lost forever. <br /><br />I was extremely fortunate that there were many good men in EO who understood the challenges they were faced with and could work around them or exploit them. Everyone had a job to do and the majority did their jobs incredibly well. <br /><br />Military outposts are often placed with the misconception that by simply having them, the area is dominated. This not only shows a lack of understanding of the situation but also reflects badly on whoever devised the strategy. <br /><br />Terrain is always a major factor but like the weather conditions, it remains neutral. Roelf and his men were able to exploit it to their advantage and the disadvantage of the rebels. <br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-7736647978071626522012-07-15T09:09:22.867+02:002012-07-15T09:09:22.867+02:00Thanks for your visit, Marco. I am responding in E...Thanks for your visit, Marco. I am responding in English for the benefit of my international visitors as well as the fact that I write atrociously in Afrikaans. <br /><br />Re my book, no one I named as agents or provocateurs has to date come forward to deny their roles in creating and providing disinformation on EO and myself. In that sense, I did not use my book to misinform as so many others used their pens and the media to expand on their lies. Additionally, what I wrote came from EO documentation and numerous interviews with EO staff as well as foreign client-government staff. <br /><br />Whereas one can harbour your own thoughts on matters such as politics and religion, I have never seen it as my duty to force my views on others. I understand the importance of both matters as much as anyone else. But, when working in a foreign country on behalf of a government, neither I nor my men are tasked to give political and religious indoctrination. Indeed, these are the two aspects that directly lead to the majority of conflicts and wars and we view our role as adding value to military, intelligence and law enforcement operations to reach a speedy conclusion and not in prolonging them.<br /><br />I mainly keep my thoughts on what I see happening in the world to myself. When I am asked by a paying government for my opinion, I give it with the rider that it is my opinion. <br /><br />I am in process of completing another book (details are posted on the blog) but time has been against me in keeping to my deadline. <br /><br />I learn from anyone and everyone who is willing to speak to me and impart knowledge.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-63135440322275944922012-07-13T07:13:55.791+02:002012-07-13T07:13:55.791+02:00Hello Eeben-
My name is Ben Gill and I'm a fr...Hello Eeben-<br /><br />My name is Ben Gill and I'm a freelance journalist based in Ventura, California. I'm extremely interested in your career and work, especially with Executive Outcomes during the 1990s, and I was wondering if you might be willing to speak with me via email a bit further. You can contact me at ben.gill394@gmail.com<br /><br />You can read more about me and my work, if you're interested, over at my website at bengarnettgill.com (still under construction). Thanks in advance.<br /><br />-Sincerely, BenAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06343209159718750750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-21522998035601444212012-07-11T22:35:35.985+02:002012-07-11T22:35:35.985+02:00Hi Eeben,
Just read this article on one of the cu...Hi Eeben,<br /><br />Just read this article on one of the current multitude of African conflicts, and thought I'd chuck it into the mix.<br /><br />http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18796872<br /><br />Seems to fit rather nicely with the context of your latest post, but the thing I found interesting is the points it makes about the integration of rebel groups and their fighters into the military and the parallel with the FAA's insistence on you and EO coming up with a plan to integrate UNITA into the Angolan Armed Forces as part of your contract.<br /><br />I don't have a question, per se, on this, merely the observation that the demobilization and integration of former rebels into a unified state is a continual and recurring problem in Africa, as well as elsewhere. I have read in more than one instance that Paul Bremer's arbitrary disbanding of the Iraqi military and police provided a huge boost to the insurgencies, both in terms of unemployed and desperate men needing income in a poor and dismembered country, and so many ex-soldiers and policemen trying to figure out what to do next.<br /><br />The advantage EO was able to glean by employing men like this when a similar situation occurred in SA is well-documented in your book, but I can imagine it is one of the hardest points for a new regime trying to rebuild a country after a civil war (DRC for instance, or it will be when the conflict is resolved properly if the day ever comes)is the reintegration of the members of rebel movements into the state apparatus without disenfranchising them completely but also weeding out the ones who were 'caught up' in it from the genuinely psychotic war criminals.<br /><br />Also a side-note that of course I don't mean to equate the men of the former SADF, Koevoet etc with the nastier elements of various rebel organizations, I hope my above points do not imply such a comparison.<br /><br />A side note: I know the article's referral to the UN as 'a reputable organization' may raise some hackles here but otherwise I think the article was a reasonable assessment of the points at issue. Correct me if I'm wrong.<br /><br />As I said, I don't have a 'question' as such, but if anyone has any thoughts on this I'll be interested to learn from them.<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />AlexAlexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00570878230707886483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-52808380330596534622012-07-09T19:12:01.828+02:002012-07-09T19:12:01.828+02:00Hi Eeben,
BTW - The 'wiki' book is using ...Hi Eeben,<br /><br />BTW - The 'wiki' book is using a Rooivalk on the cover for EO! Says it all, I'll give that a miss thanks.<br /><br />Regards<br />RobinRobinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11581512595319871856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-78021053434022331162012-07-09T18:36:58.425+02:002012-07-09T18:36:58.425+02:00http://cryptome.org/za-disrupt.htm
mike. needless...http://cryptome.org/za-disrupt.htm<br /><br />mike. needless to say.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04008570891301616458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-38951177514794388482012-07-09T17:59:15.078+02:002012-07-09T17:59:15.078+02:00Hi Eeben,
I have ordered Piet's latest public...Hi Eeben,<br /><br />I have ordered Piet's latest publication due for release on the 15th Sept - The Terrible Ones: The Complete History of 32 Battalion: Volumes 1 and 2. (I also ordered A Whisper in the Reeds: Nine Charlie 32: Signalling 'the Terrible Ones' by Justin Taylor)<br /><br />I have not found 'Victory at a Price' yet, but I will.<br /><br />I am well into Roelf's book and I must say it is what has been missing for me. But it really shows the challenges that EO faced on the ground. How on earth did the guys ever pull all the pieces together in both Angola and S/Leone? <br /><br />I must ask you, when your guys hit the ground in Sierra Leone and you got the info on what they were facing, (Terrain, massive RUF controlled territories, no links between Government strongholds etc) was it what you expected or were you concerned? It seems from Roelf's book that it was a surprise that the government strongholds were each isolated, and the ridiculous vegetation!<br /><br />Regards<br />RobinRobinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11581512595319871856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-2709099523213189752012-07-09T13:27:03.587+02:002012-07-09T13:27:03.587+02:00Eeben,
Ek het 'n hele paar jaar gelede jou bo...Eeben,<br /><br />Ek het 'n hele paar jaar gelede jou boek gekoop maar eers onlangs begin lees(by hoofstuk 38 op die oomblik). Was ook al toevallig op jou (gewese?) plaas, die Cowboy school, waar ek 'n paar baie lekker boots gekoop het. My ouers woon nog al die jare daar in die omgewing (Hartebeestfontein).<br /><br />Ek moet sê die dikte van jou boek het waarskynlik veroorsaak dat ek dit nooit voorheen gelees het nie, lol. Was maar redelik onlangs wat ek besluit het om die boek te vat en jou kant van die saak te lees. Soos jy duidelik verseker self weet is daar geweldig baie informasie en disinformasie in die wêreld en na aanleiding van 'n ander boek geskryf deur 'n vorige NIS agent het ek onthou dat ek iewers 'n boek van jou nog het en besluit om die te lees (baie inligting in hierdie tipe biografieë alhoewel altyd nogal moeilik om waarheid en leuens te onderskei). My belangstelling was nie werklik om meer te weet omtrent EO. Was meer om meer agtergrond te kry oor die vorige "bedeling" (regering) se optredes maar ek moet sê jou boek was baie interessant en het heelwat dinge bevestig oor wêreld gebeure en optredes van sekere wêreld organisasie. As leek bly dit 'n interessante wêreld en kan mens baie inligting bekom deur hierdie tipe boeke te lees (het ek al agter gekom) maar dit bly maar moeilik om waarheid en leuen te onderskei en elkeen probeer ook maar deur sy "eie" metodes om sin te probeer maak van dit alles. Deur uit die geskiedenis te leer kan mens beter die toekoms in gaan (wyse manne lank voor my wat hierdie waarhede kwytgeraak, lol) en daarom dat hierdie gebeure my o.a interesseer. <br /><br />Wat vir my baie interessant is omtrent jou boek is die erge propaganda veldtog wat teen EO gestry was. Soos ek reeds genoem het was dit vir my 'n bevestiging van sekere organisasies se MO (agter die gordyne). Dit bevestig ook maar net weer (ongelukkig) dat regerings nie maklik vertrou kan word nie. <br /><br />Eerlik gesê, ek is nou nie juis 'n ondersteuner van die bestaande regering nie aangesien sekere aspekte van die vorige bedeling vir my meer sin maak maar dit is maar 'n persoonlike oortuiging. Uit jou boek is dit duidelik dat jy nie in politiek belangstel nie en jou ook nie deur godsdiens laat beïnvloed nie (beide "belangrik" in my beskeie mening). Snaaks genoeg het ek heelwat respek vir die feit dat jy jou nie daardeur laat beïnvloed nie (godsdiens/politiek) en plaas dit jou (en ander in baie gevalle) in 'n (unieke)posisie om in baie gevalle 'n baie nugtere opsomming te kan maak van 'n spesifieke saak (iets wat ek sal erken die res van ons ook by kan leer!).<br /><br />Ek sou baie graag wou hoor hoe jy die toekoms (van die wêreld en nie spesifiek SA) beskou. Ek aanvaar natuurlik jy is 'n baie besige persoon en sal verseker nie geaffronteer of beledig voel indien jy nie kans sien nie. Sal ook eerder verkies om dit via epos (wat meer privaat is en verhinder dat elke tweede Jan-Raap-en-sy-maat daarop kommentaar lewer as jy nie omgee nie. Maar weereens as jy nie kan (of wil nie), geen probleem! Ons het elkeen ons paadjies wat ons loop en ons dinge wat ons moet doen om dit te laat gebeur!<br /><br />Ek sal ook graag wil weet of jy ander boeke ook geskryf het (rondom strategieë, ens) wat beskikbaar is om te koop. Kennis kan mag wees en daarvan het jy duidelik heelwat! Ek reken jy kry natuurlik baie sulke "requests" en is al seker redelik dik daarvoor (veral aangesien baie dit wil misbruik)! So ek gaan jou nie kwalik neem indien jy dit wil ignoreer nie, lol (my navraag). <br /><br />Ons het maar elkeen ons idees oor hoe die lewe veronderstel is om te moet wees en elkeen dink maar hy is reg (wat nie noodwendig so is nie)! So oordeel ek ook maar net volgens wat ek dink moet wees. Maar wat vir almal geld is dat mens altyd iets by iemand anders kan leer.<br /><br />Marco.Marcohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00225878869741581825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-64250711074022523512012-07-09T06:52:50.620+02:002012-07-09T06:52:50.620+02:00I enjoyed reading Piet’s book on Operation Tiro Ti...I enjoyed reading Piet’s book on Operation Tiro Tiro (Savate), Alex. Although it was before my time, it was probably the most defining battle in the Bn’s history. The book’s title is “Victory at a price”.<br /><br />Of late, there are many ex-soldiers writing their stories. I am very pleased because if these things are not documented, they will be lost forever. I am equally pleased that Roelf wrote his account of EO as he was at the forefront on many occasions and played an important role in SL.<br /><br />I am led to believe that my EO book is incredibly expensive. I too have noted its price on Amazon but sadly I have no control over prices as it is something my publisher controls. I am also aware of the fact that it is virtually unobtainable abroad but again, I have no control over its distribution.<br /><br />My current work is edging closer to its edit and I must admit that it was a lot more work than I anticipated. <br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-36190845829717441112012-07-08T12:08:00.002+02:002012-07-08T12:08:00.002+02:00Hi Eeben,
I just came on here to quickly ask any ...Hi Eeben,<br /><br />I just came on here to quickly ask any recommendations you may have for good books on 32 Battalion - and then found that there was already a conversation running on that particular topic! I plan to get a copy of Nortje's book ASAP, I think it will prove useful for my research in future. Roelf's book too, I'd love to manage to establish a collection of 'reputable' works on EO and similar subjects.<br /><br />Also, I have noticed that your book has shot up in price over here as well (UK). On Amazon the cheapest used copy is now about £90. I got mine new for about £20 but that was three years ago. A shame it's so hard to get abroad, but rest assured I'm currently reading it cover-to-cover to refresh my memory, and it remains an excellent read. Looking forward to your next publication.<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />AlexAlexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00570878230707886483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-53283469708175634522012-07-08T07:24:02.055+02:002012-07-08T07:24:02.055+02:00Life sometimes hands us terrible moments, Private....Life sometimes hands us terrible moments, Private. You have lived some of those moments and your recent loss added to the burden. These moments sometimes leave us bitter and angry but being bitter and angry does not change anything as we cannot turn back the clock.<br /><br />As someone once said, “It is not walking through the fire that matters but how you walk through it”. We all have moments of weakness but again, it is how we deal with them that matters.<br /><br />Keep your chin up and don’t let the past haunt your future.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-955273524757178757.post-15107980387542399622012-07-07T07:38:38.805+02:002012-07-07T07:38:38.805+02:00As I had no involvement in the Irish situation Rob...As I had no involvement in the Irish situation Robin, I cannot comment with first-hand knowledge but I do believe the situation was rather complex as well. However, as we see in SA, simmering anger and disillusionment can create massive problems for any government. <br /><br />In a counter insurgency operation, it is – in my opinion – always protraction versus attrition. Koevoet was very successful in its mobile operations as was 101Bn and they both made use of mobility to ensure attrition. Koevoet became well-known and therefore attracted a lot of publicity especially from those in the media who supported the insurgency and that – along with some members not respecting the locals – put them on the defensive as far as the media was concerned. But, I still believe the entire effort was lost due to politics. <br /><br />Of course, the UN’s involvement in all of these African conflicts has resulted in successes by the armed forces being reversed in order to achieve political victories for the insurgents. Both Angola and Sierra Leone serve as good examples of incompetence.<br /><br />Rgds,<br /><br />EebenEeben Barlow's Milsec Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08942119485068301545noreply@blogger.com