"Why don't you start with a basic introduction as to why Starfleet is
involved in a police action in the area so we can make sure my whole team
understands what has lead up to recent events."
"Of course, sir. For the past several years there have been great
political shifts on Ganar. Shifts that caused equally great tensions in
society. Things came to a head about 2 years ago when the brewing powder
keg blew. There is great debate as to who is to blame for setting things
off, but
what is clear is that whomever is to blame riots broke out in several
major cities.
Ganar, since gaining membership in the Federation, has downsized it's
planetary defence forces. Many members do to devote more resources to
social initiative and public works projects since Starfleet is the primary
protector of the Federation. Well, local law enforcement was in need of
help with the riots, planetary defense forces (PDF) were called in. The
PDF was arguably a bit heavy handed in dealing with the rioters. When some
deaths occurred, other cities had riots. Starfleet was initially called in
to help quell the riots and to act as peacekeepers. In that capacity
Starfleet was rather successful. Things got really messy when provinces
started to revolt. Starfleet didn't start it's current mission until our
peacekeepers on the ground were targeted. You should know that Starfleet
was under intense political pressure fromthe government of Ganar to become
more involved. Admiral Van Der Loo had little choice but to directly
engage what were called rebel forces once our own people on the ground were
being attacked and killed. That's the
background. Currently, Starfleet is responsible for 5 major cities planet
wide and about two dozen provinces. We are responsible for law and order,
hunting down rebel cells when credible intell is provided, plus
humanitarian missions. Intell on rebel groups is largely provided by the
PDF, but some information comes from Starfleet field intellignece units
that are attached to major field
commands- battalions and such. The SF field intell units typically
conduct field interrogations of prisoners before they are handed over to
the PDF, review captured computers and documents, etc."
"What have we been doing to make sure that the PDF are staying within their
restricted responsibilities? One of the reasons Starfleet has
traditionally avoided being involved in police actions rather than taking
on the role of peace keepers is that it tend to lead to one side being
favored by the fleet. It takes two sides to fight a civil war, Commander."
"The PDF is not restricted in their responsibilities, sir. Starfleet is the
one with restrictions on it's operations. The view here, Admiral, is that
it is a local matter, and Starfleet is providing support. Missions that our
commander on the ground, in this case Col. Stark, plans are sent to the PDF
command for approval. At district command, we get copies of the plans from
Col. Stark and any revisions to those plans made by the PDF. Typically,
Starfleet forces operate in conjunction with PDF forces. Admiral Van Der
Loo has tried to cooperate as much as possible with the PDF. Again, it is
primarily a local matter."
Jared laughed sarcastically. "That may be the case, Commander, but do you
not see that we have chosen side in our actions if not verbally?"
Abrams was used to briefing Van Der Loo, so Admiral Jackson's response did
not phase him in the least.
"Yes, Admiral. I recognize that we have choosen a side even if only by our
actions. However, there was not a choice. Starfleet is obligated to
recognize the legitimate goverment of the planet. If I may, sir, the
problem is not that we are here, but that we have allowed the situation to
degenerate to the level it has gone to. Starfleet did not have to respond
to the escalation of hostilities in the manner it did. There were other
options. Holding to the strict defination of a peace keeping mission,
offering to mediate between the different parties, changing the mission to
humanitarian from peace keeping just to name a few. Knowing how the
situation came to this point is important, but not as much as determining
what we are to do now."
Abrams was not sarcastic or otherwise disrespectful in any way. He was
simply stating what he knew and how he saw the situation.
Joanna leaned forward and put her hands out to get everyone's attention.
"Gentlemen, we are not here to debate the potential rights or wrongs of the
political situation down there. We are here to look into what is going
wrong down there." Joanna calmly stared at Jackson. She did not know they
were supposed to be playing good cop/bad cop with anyone other than Van Der
Loo. "Commander, what can you tell us about any reports of overuse of power
by either the home government or Starfleet forces assisting it? I am under
the impression that there have been some complaints in that area."
(response?)
}}}=) Lisa
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