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Continuity of Government (COG) is the principle of establishing defined procedures that allow a government to continue its essential operations in case of a nuclear war or other catastrophic event. Developed during the Cold War, COG plans were implemented by many countries to avoid leaving a vacuum at any governmental level, which could lead to anarchy or to an unlawful assumption of authority. Effectively the democractic process is revoked temporarily until the effects of the event have subsided and normal government can resume. It is not a generally published part of government policy and is generally shrouded in secrecy for security reasons.
Continuity of Government in the United States The main points of such a plan in the United States are to suspend certain parts of the United States Constitution and to allow the alternative use of federal land and buildings (including use as internment camps) by FEMA for the housing/detention of US citizens as required, as well as any rescue/recovery operations. It also allows for power in the US to be centralized to the White House and "appointment of military commanders to run state and local governments and declaration of martial law"E. Miller, The Sun, (New York: Academic Press, 2005), 23-5.. In the former regard the United States arrangements for Continuity of Government are unusual. The plans in most countries are intended to preserve the legal and constitutional framework, the American system relies on circumventing it. There is no legal basis for the imposition of so-called "martial law". House Democrat Jack Brooks brought up the issue during the Iran-Contra Affair hearings. Try as he might, he was not able to get the answers to his questions from Col. Oliver North, (it had been reported in the Miami Herald that North had worked on such plans)http://fpiarticle.blogspot.com/2005/12/front-page-miami-herald-july-5-1987.html as he was repeatedly requested by the Chairman to refrain from discussing the issue and to request for a (non-public) executive session if he wanted to discuss the issue at all. The Miami Herald article claims that the Continuity of Government plan can be invoked: Also, and, An article entitled Back to the Bunker written by William Arkin and published in the Washington Post on 5th June 2006 includes the following statements concerning Continuity of Government. The 9/11 Commission report confirms the invocation: Some including Amy Goldstein and Juliet Eilperin, claim they can find no federal documents that state that the knowledge (and thus approval) of Congress is required in order to invoke Continuity of Government status. It appears they have a case as members of Congress were unaware that Bush had invoked Government Contingency plans after 9/11, until it was finally admitted in 2002. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/03/01/attack/main502530.shtml There is no constitutional basis for the suspension of the constitution. However, there are provisions for the continuity of govevernment to be maintained by relocation of government operations and personnel to remote areas. But these are totally distinct concepts. Unfortunately the report does not clarify whether the operations of government were decentralised, or whether the government purported to illegally suspend the constitution. Recent revelations of illegal wiretapping and kidnapping by secret government agencies may suggest that the latter has occurred. A number of books mention the plans, one is James Mann's 'Rise of the Vulcans': Apparently the Legislative and Judiciary Branches pf the US Government each have similar continuity plans. However, both require the Executive to notify them before they are activated. There appears to have been no notfication following 9-11 to either the Congress or US Supreme Court until it was finally admitted to Congress in 2002.http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/03/01/attack/main502530.shtml It appears the US is still in the Continuity of Government status invoked as a result of 9/11. There is considerable confusion between the use of extra-constitutional powers and "martial law" in an emergency situation, and Continuity of Government as such. Continuity of Goverenment properly refers to processes, systems, and infrastructure whereby Government control and communications can be maintained. They involve communications systems, operating procedures, delegation of responsibility, and emergency accommodation- including bunkers. The use of unusual powers in an emergency- whether legal or illegal- are not Continuity of Government so much as restraints on legal and constitutional rights. Historically many governments and leaders have used a disaster or attack as an excuse to assume illegal and draconian powers. See also | ||||||||
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