WORLD: MATIAS E. RUIZ

An Interview with Captain Simon Mann, former SAS and Author of 'Cry Havoc'

Mr. Mann elaborates on issues such as his involvement in the Equatorial Guinea coup, the time spent in prison, the use of private military companies in complex scenarios, Syria and the French intervention in Mali.

16 de Abril de 2013

Matías E. Ruiz: -Why do you think the general public associates mercenaries with negative concepts?

Capitán Simon Mann: -The general public is right. Fighting wars is bad news, fighting them just for money is worse. It is also more likely to lead to immoral/unethical decision making.

M.R.: - We suppose you have been following the reactions to your publication 'Cry Havoc'. Were these reactions expected by you? Would you like to point out any significant differences between the ones expressed by the public and the ones portrayed by the media?

S.M.: -I have been surprised at how little criticism I have had about the whole mercenary issue. Where there has been noticeably more criticism is from the book publishing, artistic side of life. Not surprising as these are traditionally left wing while the whole military and mercenary side have been right wing.

M.R.: -Speaking about Equatorial Guinea, a couple of years ago you said that greed 'partly' motivated the coup plot. In a few words, could you explain any other motivations for agreeing to lead the foiled coup? What was your commitment to the job? What was your perspective on 'regime change' then?

S.M.: -Where did I say greed? It was in part about money of course. These things cost money. We all need money. However, it was also about overthrowing what was then seen as a very bad and on-going tyranny. Under English Common Law it is well established that tyranny is assault.

M.R.: - You spent five years in African jails before obtaining a pardon in 2009. How did you handle your time in prison? Many would like to know if you have ever compensated the members of your team that were tortured and jailed...

S.M.: -Unhappily I do not have the means to compensate anybody. It should also be said that all the men knew well the risks that they were taking. I lost more than anyone else, and had more to lose at the outset. Furthermore I made several key decisions while in prison -with regard to legal tactics- that were in the best interest of the men, but not of me.Passing time in prison is something you get good at, with practice.

M.R.: -Some of the same members that took part in the 2004 coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea were captured with Muammar Gaddafi. Any comments about that?

S.M.: -I don't know this story fully, although I believe that something definitely happened.

M.R.: -It is often said that any good conspiracy requires multiple layers of cover stories and intrigue. There are people out there who think that you are 'reinventing history'... How do you react to criticism?

S.M.: -I would say that -of course- they are free to think whatever they like. Since I do not believe that I know myself fully what happened around the three key Questions of the Coup story and since I say that very openly I don't really see their point of view as valid. The Questions are: Who was really behind the Coup and why? Who torpedoed the coup, leading to our arrest in Zimbabwe, and why? How did I get my pardon? For each of these I think I know. I have a best theory to fit the known or believed information. But I don't KNOW, and probably I never will.

M.R.: -Any comments you would like to make about the opinions and the alleged moral dilemma of employing a PMC or PSC to effect 'regime change'?

S.M.: -Regime change is one big moral dilemma. Using PMC/PSC for anything more than guarding a corporate office is another. They are both better not to be contemplated... but on the other hand: How bad is the tyrant? Who else is going to do something about him?

M.R.: -Have we seen the last of 'mercenary-led coups'?

S.M.: -Of that sort, I would say YES ... but even mercenaries can be smart, and move onto new tactics...

M.R.: - 'Executive Outcomes' and 'Sandline' are the two original attempts in the 1990s to create a corporate structure for the sale of overtly 'mercenary' and private military services. What is your position/opinion on the overall health and direction of the private security industry?

S.M.: -There is a fundamental difference: PSC's secure things. They fight if they are attacked but otherwise they secure. PMC's, on the other hand, offer themselves as being a fighting force. There have really only been two PMC's in this period of time: Executive Outcomes and Black Water. There won't be more of that sort, and in my opinion -on balance- that's a good thing.

M.R.: - As a former SAS member, what is your candid opinion about the pool of talent versus the growth in the industry? What branch of the service do you prefer to see experience with (SEAL, Royal Marines, SBS, Para, etc.)?

S.M.: -The best experience is the one that best suits the task. This then has to be balanced against the bottom line: who is cheaper?

M.R.: -During the 1980s, you sold software security products and computer security equipment to different clients. Can we confirm that you're still in the business?

S.M.: -Yes. It makes me laugh now to think how far ahead of the game we then were. Most people that we were selling to in those days had no idea whatsoever about what we were saying to them.

M.R.: - What do you think about the ongoing conflict in Syria? And how about Mali? Would you say France made the right choice when deciding the intervention? In your words, what would have been the result returned by this scenario should the French had avoided sending their forces?

S.M.: -Syria is a dreadfully difficult problem. The great democracies are sure to get it wrong... because they are democracies. The arguments to intervene more strongly are as forceful as the arguments to leave it alone. If I had been Obama, I would have tried to intervene more decisively before the Islamic extremists became so high in the rebel pecking order. Thus I would have avoided the present situation where we are likely to end up with the worst of all worlds.However, I am not Obama. He knows stuff I don't... like how Tehran... then Moscow... might have reacted to such a strengthened intervention. Mali: I think that the French did the right thing in the right way and have made a big success out of a difficult task. Had they not intervened we would have seen an Al Qaeda state: Mali.

M.R.: - Finally, what is your opinion regarding the role of online social networks employed by regular citizens in order to fight regimes? What is your asessment on this issue considering the near future? Is the influence of these tools overrated?

S.M.: -I love the fact that people are able to have a better voice. The more so the better, even when some of them say or Tweet such rubbish. It must lead to a better world when everyone has a fair voice. Here in England we have always known that we are stronger by having that freedom. We also know that we are unlikely to have to fight true democracies. Online social networks will play a role, just as ordinary not online social networks play a role. The security forces now use them extensively and they will react better in the future. What do the French say? 'Plus ça change, plus c'est la meme chose' (The more things change, the more things stay the same). That is very true.

Written Interview Conducted by Matías E. Ruiz, Editor.
Mr. Mann's Personal Blog: http://www.captainsimonmann.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/CaptSFM

Matías E. Ruiz

Tags:

Matías E. Ruiz An Interview with Captain Simon Mann former SAS and Author of 'Cry Havoc'Special Air Service British Special Forces Equatorial Guinea Coup Sandline Executive Outcomes PMC PSC Private Military Companies Private Security Companies French Intervention in Mali