The United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) hosted the tenth International Military Operations and Law Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, 15-18 April 1997. This annual conference provides a forum to discuss operational legal issues and to interact with international counterparts from the Asia-Pacific region.

As in past years, the conference emphasized the impact of domestic and international law on military operations, and focused on current legal issues facing commanders. The presence of operations officers from a variety of nations, many with extensive experience in recent peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance operations, ensured a successful gathering and lively discussions. Over 160 delegates from 19 countries - Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vietnam, and the United States - attended and shared experiences.

The conference began with a tour of and briefing at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Waikiki, followed by a briefing at U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) Headquarters at Camp H. M. Smith. While at Headquarters, USPACOM, conferees received the Pacific Command Strategy Brief. They then participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by Brig. Gen. Tom Fleming, then USPACOM’s Deputy Director for Strategic Planning and Policy.

The first day culminated with an informal dinner and reception in Waikiki. The relaxed atmosphere provided attendees a welcome opportunity to meet counterparts while enjoying entertainment provided by the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band.

Major themes during the ensuing days of the conference included: oceans policy and law of the sea, law of war and law of armed conflict, peace operations, rules of engagement, international military education, and environmental protection.

Key presentations included welcoming remarks by Adm. Joseph Prueher, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command (USCINCPAC); comments on "Conflict Resolution in the Spratly Islands" by Ambassador Hasjim Djalal, Ambassador-at-Large for Law of the Sea/Maritime Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia; and a "Commander’s Perspective on Rules of Engagement" briefed by Maj. Gen. Buck Bedard, Deputy Commander of U.S. Marine Forces, Pacific.

Other conference highlights included a presentation by Capt. 1st Rank Andrey Dragunov of Russia’s Main Navy Staff on "Regimentation of Naval Activity as a Way of Assuring Stability and Security of the World’s Oceans," and a four-nation ocean policy/law of the sea panel discussion on "The Archipelagic Regime and Sea Lane Designation."

Attendance by six civilian government attorneys representing Vietnam’s ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Trade, as well as its Prime Minister’s Office and National Assembly, provided a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about Vietnam’s developing legal system. Moreover, the presence of these civilian Vietnamese and other civilians attending the conference served to diminish stereotypes of military personnel and to promote civil-military trust and understanding in the sphere of law.

This year’s conference inaugurated a one-day crisis action game involving international legal and policy issues. The game scenario provided a venue for frank discussion and critical examination of not only the international legal issues presented, but also regional concerns and domestic laws of potential impact. By dividing conferees into small seminar groups and soliciting individual views and opinions, the game provided significant information sharing and achieved an international consensus.

Aside from the formal agenda, Hawaii provided an excellent social setting for informal discussion and friendship-building. Through events such as a tour of Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial, a Hawaiian luau [traditional Hawaiian feast], and by attendees simply mixing informally at the hotel or on Waikiki Beach, mutual understanding and respect characterized the entire week-long event.

By week’s end, conference attendees left with a common understanding of the potential impact of international and domestic laws on military operations, and an appreciation of the individual ways different countries operate within a legal framework. This understanding, and the personal friendships developed, will help avert future crises and enhance interoperability in Asia-Pacific bilateral and multilateral exercises and military operations.

The next conference is planned for the historic Empress Hotel on Vancouver Island in Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, Canada, during the week of 6-10 April, 1998.