Historic events are occurring in Southwest Asia. A coalition of over 50 nations – including many countries from the Asia-Pacific region – supported Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. The merits and success of an excellent plan – one that was flexible and coherent – were evident as Coalition forces liberated Baghdad and other cities and were greeted by the cheers of Iraq’s citizens. The Coalition forces can be proud of the principles that guided their actions. Their goals in Iraq were to remove a merciless regime, to liberate the Iraqi people, and to eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction. Extraordinary measures were taken to avoid civilian casualties and ensure the early flow of humanitarian assistance into the country.
Fortunately, the United States is blessed with the military capacity to address security concerns in multiple regions at the same time. While U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) is a force provider to U.S. Central Command, our priorities and attention remain keenly focused on the security of the Asia-Pacific region. We are organized and resourced to ensure we can meet our fundamental security responsibilities throughout our region. Recently I had the opportunity to visit Republic of Korea and Japan, where this message was well received.
So, this Spring 2003 issue of the Asia-Pacific Defense Forum readdresses some of those areas that have the attention of the U.S. Pacific Command.
Above all, we remain thoroughly engaged in the Global War on Terrorism, as do our partners in the region. Our combined and mutually supporting efforts have led to significant success against terrorism. And while we have more work to do, we are determined to maintain our momentum.
We are especially focused on the serious threat posed by North Korea. Troubling developments have included the admission of a highly enriched Uranium program in North Korea (a direct violation of the 1994 Agreed Framework), North Korea’s expulsion of International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors, its withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, and restarting the nuclear reactor at Yongbyon.
The possibility of North Korea’s production and proliferation of fissile material is a clear threat to the regional and international communities. The specter of weapons grade nuclear material in the hands of a terrorist group is civilized society’s greatest fear. This global threat demands a multilateral solution, and we welcome the efforts of our friends and allies to treat it accordingly.
President Bush has repeatedly stated our commitment to a peaceful, diplomatic solution to this issue. Other credible elements of national power, including a strong regional military deterrent posture, back up this approach.
In this issue of Asia-Pacific Defense Forum, you will read about the tangible, ongoing real world efforts that support our security goals for the region and our success in pursuing multilateral cooperation. ARCTIC SAREX allowed us an opportunity to practice critical search and rescue operations in a tri-national exercise. KEEN SWORD, TALON VISION and the Coalition Theater Logistics Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration provided excellent bilateral defense, survival, and logistics coordination training – wherein U.S. forces exchanged valuable lessons with thearmed forces of Japan, the Philippines and Australia.
Humanitarian assistance operations in Timor-Leste allowed us to complement the efforts of other nations and assist this fledgling nation while it works toward establishing a viable democracy. Lastly, the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies is the premier venue for bringing together diverse regional officials to establish permanent, constructive networks and liaisons for future multinational cooperation.
Former President Dwight Eisenhower said, “Military power serves the cause of peace by holding up a shield behind which the patient, constructive work of peace can go on.” Our collective security efforts directly contribute to the peace and prosperity we all seek for the Asia-Pacific region. I hope you enjoy this issue of Asia-Pacific Defense Forum.
