L to R: Dr. Charles Morrison (U.S.), Commodore Ronald D. Buck (Canada), Amb. Shi Chunlai (China), Mr. Ryuichiro Yamazaki (Japan), and Prof. Kim Kook-Chin (Korea).

The Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APC), a direct reporting unit to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command (USCINCPAC), hosted its second annual conference in Honolulu, Hawaii 3-6 November 1997. Over 170 military and civilian security specialists from 36 nations attended the conference, each representing his or her government, university, or research institution. Since its inception, the APC has conducted 11 conferences dealing with various aspects of Asia-Pacific regional security.

The theme for this year's conference was "Asia-Pacific Security for the 21st Century: Dynamics and New Directions." Participants shared ideas exploring new security solutions for the region's challenges, and built personal relationships that will contribute to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.

After welcoming remarks by the center's Interim President, Mr. Jimmie Lackey, the conference began with a keynote address by Secretary Jose T. Almonte, Presidential Security Advisor and Director General of the Philippine National Security Council. Secretary Almonte's candid assessments of the problem areas in the region emphasized that regional security has become everyone's business. He set the stage for the conference when he emphasized that the fates of the nations in the region are unavoidably linked together. "It is on this basis--on the idea of a pluralistic community of equal and sovereign states--each with its own identity--but with a sense of a common destiny--that our statesmen must found a Pacific peace, which will enable this ocean we share finally to live up to its prophetic name," he concluded.

The second day of the conference included a series of panel discussions on the current issues of the four major areas of the Asia-Pacific region: Northeast Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and South Pacific/Oceania. Each panel included introductory remarks by a moderator, and remarks by distinguished representatives of the participating nations. After short presentations by each panel member, the audience was encouraged to make comments and ask questions.

Each of the panel members voiced his or her country's unique view of the security issues of the Asia-Pacific region. Panel members brought into the open their nation's concerns and fears, and endeavored to explain why their nation is acting as it is with regard to security concerns. They emphasized what the nations of the region have in common and stressed the importance of peace, economic prosperity, and further development to all countries of the region.

All speakers addressed sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy, making sure to keep the dialogue congenial and open. But the conference "non-attribution" policy ensured that the speakers felt free to speak openly about the tough issues.

One tough issue discussed was the concept of "transparency." Several panelists stressed that transparency in defense activities and procurement contributes to stability in the region. They pointed out that to do otherwise creates fears of possible sinister motives and forces other nations to needlessly modify their plans. To have transparency in a nation's actions serves to build confidence in the other nations of the region that the country's activities are consistent with their publicly stated goals and objectives, thus furthering the cause of peace.

One luncheon presentation was a stimulating overview of the problems confronting the Asia-Pacific, country by country, by American Ambassador Charles B. Salmon, Jr., currently a member of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies faculty. Ambassador Salmon's previous experience as Ambassador to Laos, Deputy Chief of Mission in both Burma and New Zealand, and Foreign Policy Advisor to the Commander in Chief of U.S. Pacific Command, provided him unique insight into the U.S. view of the region.

As with most conferences, some of the most interesting discussions occurred during the breaks and social events. Famous Waikiki Beach provided the perfect setting for these informal discussions during a welcome buffet the first evening and a formal dinner the evening of the second day. Lt. Gen. Joseph E. DeFrancisco, Deputy Commander of U.S. Pacific Command, the dinner speaker, shared his views of the region, then thanked all attendees for participating in the conference and furthering the cause of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.

On the third day, the participants set about proposing solutions to the problems of the Asia-Pacific through four working group meetings. These meetings featured a panel of experts who set the stage for discussion, then opened the floor to all interested participants seeking to address important issues. The problem areas discussed in these working groups were: political transition, social change and regional security; economic development and regional security; military modernization, technological change and security; and transnational security issues (e.g., organized crime, narcotics, piracy and terrorism).

On the last day of the conference, the four working groups reported their findings and recommendations to the conference as a whole. These recommendations will be included in the conference report. For the final event, attendees visited Pearl Harbor, where the commander and crew of the Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Paul Hamilton gave participants a mission briefing and a guided tour of the ship.

In his closing remarks, APC Interim President Lackey declared the conference a complete success and encouraged all participants to return next year for the 1998 annual conference.