Annex X Co-chairmen's Report ARF-ISG on CBMs Defense Officials' Dialogue
CO-CHAIRMEN'S REPORT ARF-ISG ON CBMs DEFENSE OFFICIALS' DIALOGUE INTRODUCTION Phnom Penh, 26 October 2004 1. The First Defense Officials' Dialogue of the ARF-ISG on CBMs for the inter-sessional year 2004-2005 was held in Phnom Penh on 26 October 2004. The Meeting was co-chaired by Cambodia and the European Union and attended by representatives of ARF participants and the ARF Unit of the ASEAN Secretariat. The list of attendance appears as Annex A. AGENDA ITEM 1: ADOPTION OF AGENDA 2. The Meeting adopted the Agenda, which appears as Annex B and the Programme of Activities, which appears as Annex C. AGENDA ITEM 2: EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL SECURITY COOPERATION, SPECIFICALLY IN COMBATING TERRORISM, TRANSNATIONAL CRIME, INCLUDING DRUG TRAFFICKING 3. The Meeting recognized the value of multilateral security cooperation in addressing various forms of transnational crime, including terrorism and drug trafficking. The Meeting agreed to intensify cooperation among defense agencies in ARF in these areas. The Meeting also agreed to consider the participation of representatives of law enforcement agencies in its future meetings and activities. 4. The United States briefed the Meeting on its efforts to counter terrorism, particularly by understanding better the problem of terrorism and adopting appropriate military and non-military responses, cooperating with other countries, and preventing terrorists from acquiring WMD, among others, which appears as Annex D. 5. Japan briefed the Meeting on its on-going defense capability review, efforts to promote maritime security, and also cited its contribution to international counter-terrorism efforts, which appears as Annex E. 1
6. Malaysia expressed the view that counter-terrorism must include measures to address the root causes of terrorism and must win the hearts and minds of the people concerned. Malaysia briefed the meeting on the additional roles of Defense forces to deal with maritime terrorism. Malaysia also briefed the meeting on its peacekeeping role in the Mindanao peace process. 7. Pakistan briefed the Meeting that government and people were committed to war against terrorism and so far a lot of success had been achieved. Pakistan suggested that root causes of terrorism be eliminated, and that terrorism be recognized as a global phenomenon, as it knew no boundaries or religion. Pakistan also briefed on successful measures to curb drug trafficking. 8. Singapore noted that the complex nature of the terrorist threat meant that it had to be addressed through a judicious balance of "hard" and "soft" approaches. Singapore commented on the progress made by the ARF in maritime security co-operation and informed the meeting that it would be co-hosting an ARP CBM on "Regional co-operation in maritime security" with the US in Singapore from 2-4 March 2005. Singapore reaffirmed the key role of defense agencies in maritime security on account of their understanding of the strategic issues involved, their capacity to provide operational solutions to the maritime security challenges and their experience in international co-operation. 9. India stated that effective counter-terrorism efforts must include an understanding that "terrorist in any part of the world is a terrorist." India stated that States that harbour terrorists should be dealt with accordingly because state sponsorships stood out as a major cause for the spread of terrorism and that terrorism financing should be curtailed. 10. The Russian Federation expressed the need for a new approach in counter-terrorism that would include not only military responses but also economic, social and political measures. 11. China stressed that the international community must take joint efforts in countering terrorism. In this regard, double standards should be avoided, and peace, development, social justice and equality must be addressed. China Stated the need for a UN-led international mechanism and briefed the meeting on its efforts in countering terrorism.
12. Thailand briefed the Meeting on its efforts to counter terrorism, such as the establishment of the national coordinating center for combating international terrorism; the role of the National Security Council; and the establishment or planned establishment of working groups between Thailand and other countries. Thailand also briefed the Meeting on its efforts to promote maritime security, including suppression of piracy and illegal trafficking of narcotics. 13. Canada cited its contributions to international and regional counterterrorism efforts, including its Counter Terrorism Capacity Building Program, co-hosting of the next ARF ISM on CTTC in 2005 with Thailand, and contribution to the activities of the APEC Counter- Terrorism Task Force. Canada stressed the need for all countries to adhere to the 12 UN conventions and protocols on terrorism, and the need to protect human rights while countering terrorism. 14. Indonesia emphasized its commitment to combat terrorism and stressed the need for strengthening global coalition to defeat terrorism. Efforts should be enhanced to improve the capacity of countries to fight terrorism. Indonesia also reiterated the importance of rejecting any attempt to associate terrorism with any religion, race, nationality or ethic group. In this regard, Indonesia stressed the need to empower the moderates of the world. 15. New Zealand briefed the meeting on its approach to transnational threats, including terrorism, and the work it was doing with Pacific partners in combating transnational crime in the region. 16. Australia reiterated its commitment to help build capacity in counter-terrorism. Australia stated that counter-terrorism involves various agencies and that the establishment of an effective mechanism of communication among them has become increasingly important. Australia also briefed the Meeting on its efforts with certain countries in the Pacific region to counter terrorism. 17. The European Union briefed the Meeting on its contributions to global efforts to counter terrorism, such as through the prevention of proliferation of WMD and support to the international and regional efforts to combat and prevent the illicit trade of Small Armed and Light Weapons (SALW) and Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS).
AGENDA ITEM 3: DISCUSSION ON COOPERATION IN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF NON-PROLIFERATION OF - " WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION 18. The Meeting agreed that proliferation of WMD poses a serious threat to international security. The Meeting agreed on the need for the ARF to remain seized of this matter and to contribute through appropriate forward looking multilateral actions. 19. Canada briefed the Meeting on the G-8 Global Partnership Program to prevent terrorists gaining access to WMD materials, its activities under the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), and the initiatives of NATO and Canada relating to countering NBC threats. 20. China briefed the meeting on its nonproliferation policy and measures that have been taken to prevent the proliferation of WMD and its means of delivery and expressed its support for strengthening international cooperation in the field of nonproliferation. 21. Japan briefed the Meeting on the PSI efforts, including the promotion of coordination among relevant countries and domestic agencies and exercises for intercepting operations. Japan informed the Meeting that it would host such an exercise on 25-27 October 2004. 22. Malaysia cited the need to undertake measures to prevent terrorists from gaining access to WMD. Although Malaysia is not a party, it supported the objective of PSI to prevent proliferation of WMD, their delivery system, and related materials worldwide.' 23. Australia informed the Meeting that a PSI meeting would be held in Australia in November 2004. 24. New Zealand informed the meeting of its support for the PSI interdiction principles and its attendance as an observer at the exercise in Japan. It also expressed support for the G8 global partnership initiative. 25. The United States cited the success of the ARF Workshop on Maritime Security held in Kuala Lumpur in 22-24 September 2004, which could be instructive in cooperating to ensure that WMD don't fall into the hands of terrorists. In particular, the U.S. noted certain imperatives, such as, awareness of the problem, the need to share information, and undertaking joint operations, which appears as Annex F.
AGENDA ITEM 4: DATE AND VENUE OF THE NEXT DEFENSE OFFICIALS DIALOGUE 26. The European Union informed the Meeting that the next Defense Officials Dialogue at the 2 nd ARF-ISG on CBM will be hosted by Germany behalf of EU and will be held in Berlin on 21 February 2004. The EU informed the Meeting that certain countries would be requested to make presentations. 27. The Meeting agreed that the next Defense Officials Dialogue should take up issues that would arise from the forthcoming ARF Security Policy Conference (SPC) in Beijing in November 2004. AGENDA ITEM 5: OTHER MATTERS 28. Japan briefed the Meeting on the outcome of the 9 th Tokyo Defense Forum held on 19-20 October 2004. Japan informed the Meeting that a subcommittee meeting would be held in late January 2005 and invited ARF participants to actively participate in this process. 29. Indonesia briefed the Meeting on its preparations, together with China, for the First ARF Security Policy Conference that would be held in Beijing on 4-5 November 2004. 30. Brunei Darussalam briefed the Meeting on the publication of its Defense White Paper on 9 July 2004 as part of its aspiration to have a more focused and professional Defense management. Brunei Darussalam also believed that the Defense white paper would contribute towards confidence building and transparency in the region. Brunei Darussalam also briefed the meeting on its involvement in the International Monitoring Team ( IMT ) in Mindanao, Philippines. A team of 10 personal was deployed on 20 October 2004. 31. Cambodia briefed the Meeting on its efforts to review its defense policy and strategic objectives. Cambodia also briefed the Meeting on its defense cooperation with the European Union. Cambodia has been maintaining defense cooperation with its security partners across the globe. Programs in this context include overseas training, academic educational opportunities and institutional, logistical supports, and cooperative partner EU-ASAC for their difficult tasks in curbing illegal small arms and light weapons in Cambodia. EU-ASAC also has been assisting Cambodia in a wide weapons management program, drawing up
a new Arms Law. Cambodia had destroyed illegal weapons collected from the local population and the surplus weapons from the militaryand police inventories. 32. New Zealand circulated information on the re-equipment of the New Zealand Defense Force under the Long-Term Development Plan. AGENDA ITEM 6: ADOPTION OF CO-CHAIRS'REPORT 33. The Meeting adopted the Co-Chairmen's Report of the ARF-ISG on CBMs, Defense Officials Dialogue.