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Foreword

RIMPAC 2004:
Demonstrating Shared Resolve for Regional Peace and Security

28th Pacific Armies Management Seminar (PAMS XXVIII) in India

MALABAR 2004:
Enhancing Peace and Security in the Asia-Pacific Region

Happenings

28th Pacific Armies
Management Seminar
(PAMS XXVIII) in India
By Mary Markovinovic

	More than 60 Army officers and observers from 31 countries attended the 28th Pacific Armies Management Seminar (PAMS XXVIII) hosted by India in New Delhi.
	Lt. Gen. Shantonu Choudhry, Vice Chief of Staff of the Indian Army, delivers the keynote address at the opening of PAMS XXVIII.
	(L to R) Maj. Gen. Lee Sung-Chool, Inspector General, Republic of Korea Army; Gen. N.C. Vij, Chief of Staff of the Indian Army; and Lt. Gen. John M. Brown III, Commander, U.S. Army, Pacific, discuss seminar issues during a break.
	(L to R) Papua New Guinea Navy Capt. Alois Tom, Fiji Lt. Col. Jone Baledrokadroka, and Canadian Maj. Marc Moo Sang engage in discussion.
	Dr. Satu Limaye, Director of Research Division at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii, addresses the seminar.

A warm Indian welcome and regional cooperation were apparent at the 28th Pacific Armies Management Seminar (PAMS XXVIII) in New Delhi, India. The weeklong seminar, co-hosted by the Indian Army and the U.S. Army, Pacific (USARPAC) and attended by 60 senior Army officers and 25 observers from 31 countries, focused on “Regional Cooperation in a Changing Security Environment.”

PAMS is a multinational military seminar that provides a forum for senior officers from regional ground forces to exchange views during a week of plenary sessions, question and answer panels, syndicate discussions, and briefings. It is also an opportunity to establish and enhance interpersonal relationships among current and future leaders of regional armies. This seminar is the Asia-Pacific region’s longest running and most successful military seminar series. PAMS has expanded from the original nine nations attending PAMS I in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1978 to the 31 nations attending PAMS XXVIII. The seminar’s objective is to promote peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region through mutual understanding, dialogue, and friendship.

Opening Ceremony
At the opening ceremony, Lt. Gen. Shantonu Choudhry, Vice Chief of Staff of the Indian Army, and Lt. Gen. John M. Brown III, Commander of the U.S. Army, Pacific, welcomed participants with the lighting of a lantern symbolizing unity and the quest for knowledge and understanding.

Gen. N.C. Vij, Chief of Staff of the Indian Army, told attendees in his keynote address, “It is a privilege to co-host PAMS for the second time.” He added that having more than 30 countries here “is an indication that each country recognizes the importance of this event. India has not missed a PAMS conference since 1990. Most important of all, [PAMS] is an opportunity to meet each other and build friendships and understanding.”

Gen. Vij also said the two most important issues threatening global peace and stability are nuclear proliferation and terrorism. Noting that terrorism is a greater challenge to regional peace and stability than nuclear proliferation, he said, “Nuclear proliferation is far more easily tackled due to institutionalized measures that are followed strictly. But terrorism is acquiring far more worrisome dimensions. Terrorism is worrying all nations and is one kind of threat that has no fronts or rears, no friends or foes, no combatants and non-combatants,” he said. “Some trace of terrorism has touched each country in the world.” Gen. Vij noted that through globalization, the “world is getting smaller. Communications are opening up, but with this globalization it has brought terrorism to the doorstep of everyone.”

Expressing appreciation for the Indian Army’s superb support in hosting PAMS XXVIII, Lt. Gen. Brown said, “PAMS is a tool for the future, not the past. It provides a realistic venue to evaluate our operational environment. It has powerful opportunities and applications for today and the future.” He added that building partnerships and coalitions are the best way for the region to deal with the many transnational threats existing today. He cited the kidnappings of multinational citizens in Iraq as an attempt by the terrorists to break coalitions.

Referring to the up and coming leaders attending the seminar, Lt. Gen. Brown said, “We also have the opportunity to mentor young leaders. PAMS is a place where they have a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow. Leadership development is one of the reasons why you see so many Army officers here.”

Topics
During the week, senior officers and observers separated into five groups or “syndicates” to discuss topics related to the central theme of “Regional Cooperation in a Changing Security Environment.” Those topics included: Defining the Security Environment for the Coming Decade, Identifying the impacts of Asymmetrical and Non-Traditional Threats on Armies, Employing Cooperation to Address Common Security Challenges, and Identifying Cooperative Response Options to Future Security Challenges.

On the last day of the seminar, each syndicate presented highlights of their discussions. The highlights included insights on definitions of terrorism and the need to meet transnational threats. Participants agreed that their discussions revalidated the seminar’s purpose.

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