Promoting Peace in the Asia-Pacific: Multinational Conferences
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Flags of 38 participating nations are paraded before the military delegations attending the 22nd Pacific Armies Management Seminar (PAMS XXII) in Manila, Philippines.

22nd Pacific Armies Management Seminar
Article and photos by John Fairbank

Delegates from each of 38 countries stood proudly as their country's flag was paraded into the ballroom of Manila's Peninsula Hotel for the opening ceremony of the 22ndPacific Armies Management Seminar (PAMS XXII) on 2 March 1998.

The annual PAMS conferences provide a non-political forum for senior ground force officers in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions to exchange military views concerning a specific theme. The conferences also promote professional understanding and enhance relations between regional armies by exchanging information through plenary sessions, question-and-answer panels, and syndicate discussions.

PAMS XXII was co-hosted by the Philippine Army and U.S. Army, Pacific. Throughout the seminar, the 120 attendees discussed the theme "Leader Development in the Information Age." Discussions included several topics: "Leadership Traits for the Information Age," "Leader Development for NCOs and Soldiers," "Leader Development in Preparation for Nontraditional Missions," "Leader Development for Other Than Military Organizations," "Handling Modern Media Relations," and "Reserve Component Leader Challenges in the Information Age."

The principal speakers for PAMS XXII were: Secretary Jose T. Almonte, Presidential Security Advisor and Director General, Philippine National Security Council; Adm. Joseph W. Prueher, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command; Gen. (ret) Fortunato Abat, Philippine Secretary of National Defense; Lt. Gen. Raul S. Urgello, Commanding General, Philippine Army; and Lt. Gen. William M. Steele, Commanding General, U.S. Army, Pacific.

Following his opening remarks, Adm. Prueher noted his satisfaction at watching the interaction among the participants from nations which have overcome differences to peacefully discuss areas of mutual interest. He was particularly happy to see the representatives from China, Russia and Vietnam actively participating in the seminar. Adm. Prueher also observed that positive interaction between senior officers from nations such as India and Pakistan serves to promote peace and stability.

Secretary Almonte's keynote address discussed the information revolution of the past few years, a result of advances in computer and communication technology. He said this surge in information technology created an "annihilation of distances" which has created a virtually borderless world. He enjoined the participants to meet with the military leaders present to accomplish the overall goal of PAMS: to promote peace, understanding and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Col. Goh Chee Kong, Commander at the Singapore Army Officer Cadet School, led the discussion "Leadership Traits for the Information Age." He stated that Singapore, with its relatively small army and minimal training lands, has made great use of simulation and computerized training devices. Col. Goh cautioned, however, that military forces should not become too dependent on technology. Col. Vladimir Konev, the Russian Deputy Chief of First Directorate of the Ministry of Defense's Military Strategic Research Center in Moscow, discussed his military's leadership challenges resulting from the rapid economic and philosophical changes since the demise of the Soviet Union. For the Russian Army, the human element now predominates over advancements in information technology.

On the topic of "Leader Development for NCOs and Soldiers," CSM Howard V. Rathmann, Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command, outlined the training received by the American soldier from squad leader, platoon sergeant, into the senior NCO ranks, and ultimately training at the NCO Academy. Brig. Amrick Singh Bahia of the India Defence Services Staff characterized the future battlefield as one in which there would be much greater dependence on the abilities and responsibilities of the NCO corps. He stated this is especially true in peace keeping, where in situations requiring immediate decisions an NCO is often the senior soldier present.

Maj. Gen. Voltaire T. Gazmin, Commanding General, Philippine Special Operations Command, addressed the subject of "Leader Development for Non-Traditional Missions." He observed that the best soldiers for use in nontraditional missions are those who are well-trained for war. Col. George Kadavulevu, Chief of Operations, Personnel Logistics for the Fijian Army, contributed views based on experiences by the Fijian Army, a small military force, but one which participates fully in UN operations.

Mr. Frank Short, Commissioner of Police for the Solomon Islands and a former soldier, challenged the military attendees to be aware of the needs of civilian law enforcement and emergency action personnel, in discussions on "Leader Development for Other Than Military Organizations." Col. Shoukath Ibrahim, Commanding Officer of the National Security Service and Quick Reaction Force, Republic of Maldives, discussed the task of developing leaders for a paramilitary organization. He noted the flexibility needed to be a member of such a force: discipline as a soldier, but with understanding and untiring patience.

Brig. Stuart D. Jameson, Commander of Support Command, Royal New Zealand Army, presented the subject "Handling Modern Media Relations" from the New Zealand perspective, and then covered general rules for dealing with the modern media. He reviewed successes and shortcomings in past conflicts: Vietnam, the Falklands, Grenada and the Gulf War. Col. Yoshio Nishimura, Research Department of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Staff College, also addressed media relations, using as examples the chemical attack in a Tokyo subway and the bombing at the 1996 Olympic Games. Col. Nishimura stressed the need for swift dissemination of information to the public.

This year's conference was the first to integrate the former Pacific Armies Reserve Component Seminar (PARCS). In discussions on army reserve affairs, Maj. Gen. Darryl Low Choy, Assistant Chief of Army Reserves of the Australian Army, pointed out that reserve components have the advantage of drawing from a highly educated, technologically oriented population for use in leadership positions. Maj. Gen. Max Baratz, Chief of the U.S. Army Reserve, stated that reductions in the active U.S. Army place greater demands on the Army Reserve, especially in the area of combat support. Col. Kim Hyun Woo, Republic of Korea Army Training and Doctrine Command, and Philippine Col. Luzmindo B. Fajardo, Commander 3d Brigade, 13th Infantry Division, gave comparable presentations on their reserve forces. Both armies rely heavily on reserves to accomplish their mission.

At closing ceremonies, the co-hosts, Lt. Gen. Steele and Lt. Gen. Urgello, praised the delegates for their accomplishments during the seminar and presented all delegates with mementos of PAMS XXII. They then passed the PAMS flag to the delegation from Singapore, which will co-host PAMS XXIII in 1999.

John Fairbank is a retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. who currently serves as Media Relations Officer for the U.S. Army, Pacific at Fort Shafter, Hawaii.