24th Pacific Armies Management Seminar
Building a Bridge of Confidence
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Approximately 105 delegates attended the 24th PAMS, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of the co-host, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

The theme of PAMS XXIV, "Army Roles in the 21st Century," was supported by the following topics and discussion panels:

• "New Challenges for Armies in the 21st Century," presented by Col. Yuichi Fukumori (Japan) and Maj. Gen. Mohinder Puri (India)

• "Defining the Role of an Army in a Society," presented by Brig. Michael A. Swan (Australia) and Mr. Sampson Endehipa (Papua New Guinea)

• "Operating Effectively in UN Peace Support Operations," presented by Maj. Gen. Abdul Hafiz Mallik (Bangladesh) and Col. George F. Oliver III (United States)

• "Developing Quality Personnel for the 21st Century," presented by Lt. Col. Andrew Morris (New Zealand) and Maj. The Honorable Ma’afu (Tonga)

• "Effective Unit Training in the 21st Century," presented by Col. Yong Marn Cho (Korea) and Col. Puchong Rattanawan (Thailand)

Gen. Tsuneo Isoshima, Chief of Staff, JGSDF, gave the Japanese keynote address. He stressed the importance of multinational cooperation. He said, "We will work with you and construct a bridge of confidence in order to build up peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region in the early 21st century."

Retired Gen. David A. Bramlett, former Commanding General of U.S. Army Forces Command and former Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command, provided the United States keynote address. He described the changes in the security environment based on his experiences with previous PAMS, having attended in various capacities PAMS XII, PAMS XIX, and now PAMS XXIV. He emphasized the difficulties, necessities and the importance of achieving regional cooperation.

Social events included two receptions, sports events, and a closing banquet. The first reception featured traditional Japanese culture and exposed the delegates to Japan’s history. The highlight of the reception was the PAMS 2000 time capsule. Delegates were invited to write messages to themselves that will be sealed in the capsule upon the completion of the seminar. They will be reopened when Japan once again co-hosts a future PAMS, and the messages will then be returned to the delegates.