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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

	Participants and their spouses attend the closing ceremony of PAMS XXVIII.
	(L to R) Mitsy Royster, wife of U.S. Army Col. Gary Royster, PAMS Co-Chairman; Mrs. Idnani, wife of Indian Army Brig. M. K. Idnani, PAMS Co-Chairman; and Mrs. Choudhry, wife of Lt. Gen. Choudhry, pose for a photo.
	Indian Folk Dancers entertain participants during the closing ceremonies of PAMS XXVIII.
	Lt. Gen. Choudhry, Vice Chief of Staff of the Indian Army, receives a gift commemorating PAMS XXVIII from Lt. Gen. John M. Brown III, Commander of the U.S. Army, Pacific.
	Lt. Gen. Choudhry, Vice Chief of Staff of the Indian Army, adds the PAMS XXVIII streamer to the PAMS Flag. The flag will be turned over to the Royal Thai Army as they prepare for PAMS XXIX in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2005.
	An Indian Army soldier demonstrates motorcycle riding skills during a demonstration for the PAMS delegates.

Spouses’ Program
Behind the scenes at the seminar, another gathering helped build relations among participants. About 40 spouses of delegates, observers, and staff gathered to share their knowledge and experiences and enjoy a taste of Indian culture. In addition to attending the opening and closing ceremonies as well as a banquet, spouses toured the National Museum of India, a crafts museum, and the Bahai temple. They were also treated to a sari tying and Mehndi display showing the traditional art of adorning hands and feet with designs made from henna.

“ The spouses program was an important aspect of the conference,” said Mitsy Royster, wife of U.S. Army Col. Gary Royster, PAMS Co-Chairman. “We met spouses and interacted with them. . . . We found that we may be from different cultures, but we are all concerned about the same things — our families, children, education.”

The highlight for all participants, including spouses, was the day trip to Agra, a historical city south of New Delhi. In Agra, participants experienced the breathtaking beauty of the Taj Mahal as well as a display of the parachuting skills of the India Army’s airborne team and Indian Air Force parachute team.

Closing Ceremony
At the closing ceremony for PAMS XXVIII, Lt. Gen. Choudhry told the participants, “We got some very good ideas over the last four to five days. Transnational threats — we cannot do it alone. We must work together to brainstorm ideas.” He added, “Interoperability is important. We have to have a degree of interoperability and I want to expand on our cooperative approach.”

Canadian Army Brig. Gen. Michael Ward told attendees, “I think PAMS, as part of USARPAC’s regional security cooperation initiative, is of immense utility to all of the nations who participate. I speak on behalf of Canada when I say that we take away from PAMS every year a comprehensive understanding of the conflict issues that prevail and the professional initiatives that all of the armies are undertaking collaboratively to add to regional security.”

“ It’s interesting for me,” said Madagascar Army Col. Albert Rakoto. “Firstly, building relationships with delegates from the other countries. It is educating to be inside the syndicate meetings where I can pick up ideas and information. I benefit from the experience of the other delegates.”

“ I think the PAMSs have been most useful in promoting mutual understanding, in particular, the 28th PAMS in the area of new security threats,” said Singapore Army Col. Meng Soon Tony Teo.

Closing the seminar, Lt. Gen. Brown said, “The discussions at PAMS were open, they were frank and they were professional. The cost of admission is to be willing to listen to your counterparts who tell you what you do well as well as what you don’t do very well.” He added, “I saw commitment in people’s eyes, especially as we all watched the tragedies in Breslan [terrorist attack on a school in Breslan, Russia] and Jakarta [terrorist attack on the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia] unfold during this week.”

“ Another success of PAMS is leadership development,” continued Lt. Gen. Brown. “I believe we accomplished that in the highest levels. The best example of this is that we were very lucky to have had the Vice Chief of Staff of the Indian Army with us all this week. It says a great deal about the Indian Army’s commitment to this seminar.” Lt. Gen. Brown noted the Indian Army’s “tremendous support for this event and the superior hospitality provided by our co-host.” He closed with an optim8istic assessment for next year’s PAMS XXIX in Bangkok, Thailand. “We’re receiving tremendous support for future PAMS events. The input we received here helps keep PAMS fresh and relevant.” ?

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