In the Winter
1999-2000 issue, FORUM focused attention on regional
operations where bilateral operations developed into
multilateral trends. This Spring 2000 issue addresses
regional dialogue and actions that contribute to shared
goals for security and peaceful development throughout
the Asia-Pacific region.
Adm.
Dennis C. Blair, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific
Command answers questions at the Asia-Pacific
Center for Security Studies.
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As poet John Donne
correctly predicted in the 17th century, "No man is
an island entire of itself; every man is a part of a
continent, a part of the main." Now in the 21st
century, no nation is an island unto itself. Shared
interests abound and many endeavors require international
cooperation for
success.
Operation
Stabilise in East Timor, the Chiefs of Defense Conference
(CHOD), and Exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and
Training (CARAT) 99, recounted in this issue, are a few
examples where nations join together for mutual goals.
The
foundation for progress is built when nations focus on
areas of common interest. The benefits are many:
innovative solutions to common problems, increasing
tolerance and understanding, developing mature
relationships and capabilities through teamwork, and
building friendships. This approach allows bonds to
strengthen over time. It also allows us to better
communicate on tough issues where nations’ interests
may not align.
This
constructive approach of nations pulling together to deal
with today’s problems will lead to tomorrow’s
successes.
Working
together, all nations make a difference to the security
and peaceful development of the Asia-Pacific region.
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