Give the job to the Gurkhas

MANY have argued that the world needs a small but well-trained and well-equipped international military force to play the role of world policeman. This force can be supra-national, responding to the United Nations or another designed international body. It can provide the international community with the clout needed to enforce UN resolutions. And it would provide a visible example of internationalism. We need to put aside presuppositions about nationalism, and perhaps about the creation of a professional fighting force under international control. By now, it seems clear that the United States is not willing to be the world's police force, going into trouble spots such as Bosnia, Somalia or Haiti to enforce UN resolutions. Nor are the major European countries. UN forces, however well meaning, are sometimes a motley conglomeration of troops from a variety of countries, some of whom do not seem to be especially well-trained. There are always problems of logistics and communications among hastily put together peace-keeping forces. And public opinion in many countries is tiring of providing troops for missions that are difficult and increasingly dangerous. It is entirely possible that in the near future only ''rent-an-army'' nations, such as Pakistan, may be willing to send forces for peace-keeping duties. At best, the international community will come to rely on the goodwill of a changing and not always reliable group of nations willing to provide soldiers for conflicts. An international force would be specifically trained for low-level conflicts and would be equipped to handle such missions. It could be deployed quickly, relying on transport from the US or other major powers, and it would be on call all the time. A standing peace-keeping force with sufficient strength might even be a deterrent to tin-pot despots such as the current military rulers of Haiti, who would have to factor into their calculations a high likelihood of international military intervention to enforce the will of the international community. Now, with the examples of Bosnia and Somalia in mind, no one can count on the resolve of the international community. There happens to be one group of highly-trained, reliable and effective mercenaries currently available: the Gurkhas served the British Empire loyally for more than a century. As the British gave up their colonial holdings, the Gurkhas have been gradually demobilised and sent home to Nepal. Before Hong Kong is returned to China in 1997, one of the few remaining Gurkha regiments in British service will be abolished. Why not enlist the Gurkhas as the world peace-keeping force? They are an ideal group. They come from a small country, Nepal, which is not involved in world conflicts. They have a fierce martial tradition going back centuries, and a reputation for being ahighly disciplined fighting force. Many thousands of Gurkhas have been trained by the British and are familiar with the most modern equipment. Their loyalty to those who pay their salaries has been proved in battle and through long service. Gurkhas are accustomed to serving under British officers and using English, and would have no trouble adapting to the UN or other international agencies. They have been stationed throughout the world, and are used to variations in climate, conditions, and are not afraid of combat. Hiring the Gurkhas would even help the desperately poor economy of Nepal, through the remittances that would be sent home to families by the troops. It would also be possible to quickly organise a permanent Gurkha fighting force for the UN. Many have already been trained and can be called out of retirement or reassigned from present duties. An international Gurkha force could be permanently stationed in several bases around the world, and a reserve force could be kept in Nepal under UN command. A regular system of recruitment, training, and retirement, patterned on the traditional British system, could also be set up. The Gurkhas would not be even too expensive - certainly less expensive than recruiting soldiers from Western nations. And because of their lack of involvement in world conflicts, they would not be seen as a threat to any of the major powers. A highly trained corps of military civil servants (let's not call them mercenaries) would be a significant benefit to world peace and stability. A Gurkha force would give the international community some real teeth in dealing with crises. They are the perfect group of experienced troops just waiting for the call. Philip G. Altbach is a professor in the Graduate School of Education and director of the Comparative Education Centre, State University of New York at Buffalo.