Byliner: Adm. Blair on Regional Security, Fight Against Terrorism
(Regional cooperation key to dealing with 21st century threats) (1000)
(The following editorial by Admiral Dennis Blair was released by the
Office of the U.S. Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Command (CINCPAC) on
October 23, 2001. No republication restrictions.)
Taking Back Our World from Osama bin Laden
By Admiral Dennis Blair
(The author is Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Command.)
Families from 78 nations lost loved ones in the attacks on the World
Trade Center. Under the blue skies and bright sunshine of 11
September, the murky threat that terrorists and criminals pose to
civilization became crystal clear. Learning from this tragedy, we need
to enhance regional security cooperation to deal with 21st century
threats.
Over the years, the international community watched Al Qa'eda grow. It
spread its cancer to over 60 countries, encouraging young men to come
to Afghanistan for training in terrorist techniques. It attacked the
World Trade Center and U.S. embassies in Africa with truck bombs, and
drove a boat bomb into the USS COLE. It sent its spawn to Chechnya,
Central Asia, Xinyang, and the Kashmir. It sent followers to
proselytize and organize in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia,
and to develop connections with like-minded organizations around the
world. It spread its financial network across the globe.
Past attacks were met with individual national action and some
regional cooperation. The U.S. increased protection for its embassies
and its armed forces. China, Russia and Central Asian nations formed
the Shanghai Cooperative Forum. The U.S. and its allies increased
efforts to develop capabilities to manage the consequences of
biological and chemical attacks, such as those conducted by Aum
Shinrikyo in Japan. Malaysia and the Philippines increase cooperation
on control of adjacent seas. On 11 September we realized how
inadequate our response had been.
Now is the time to organize for the future. Following the attack on
the World Trade Towers and the Pentagon, all Asia-Pacific nations,
including North Korea, condemned the attack and strengthened measures
to protect Americans in their countries. Japan initiated legislation
to allow its armed forces to support the campaign. The Republic of
Korea offered forces. Australia invoked the ANZUS treaty and the
Philippines invoked the Mutual Defense Treaty. Canada and New Zealand
offered forces. Singapore, Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations
provided over flight and other forms of support. India offered a wide
range of help, and many other nations offered assistance. China is
sharing information and discussing other support measures. Sharing
information on terrorist activities has improved significantly.
Just as the events in East Timor demonstrated the capability for
Asia-Pacific nations to come together in peace operations, the events
of 11 September demonstrate the capability of Asia-Pacific nations to
come together to root out terrorism and lawlessness. Peace operations
in East Timor have provided security for two years, but must be
sustained until an enduring security structure is in place. Similarly,
the campaign against Al Qa'eda will be successful. However, actions
taken in response to crisis and tragedy are only the beginning.
Sustained action based upon shared interests in the key to long-term
security and peaceful development.
Today, Al Qa'eda and Abu Sayyaf are on the run. Our security forces
need to keep up the pressure to ensure that they can never reach a
sanctuary to build their network and plan future attacks. Defeating
these organizations will not end terrorism. Remnants and new
organizations will grow over time, given the chance. We need to
sustain the initiative, isolate terrorist cells, and root them out.
Transnational terrorists thrive in sanctuaries of lawlessness, exploit
the globalization of transportation, information and finance, and use
international boundaries as roadblocks to effective law enforcement.
We see evidence of connections among terrorists, drug lords, money
launderers, and organized crime, but our understanding is poor.
Defeating international terrorism requires expanded use of financial
measures to stop their flow of funds; enhanced cooperation on customs,
immigration, and aviation safety standards; enhanced information
sharing on international movement of suspected terrorists and members
of groups that advocate violence; and enhanced cooperation among law
enforcement and security forces to combat terrorism.
Over the past two years, the armed forces in the Asia-Pacific region
have taken measures to improve regional readiness for multilateral
operations. Many have participated in conferences, workshops and
exercises to develop skills for a wide range of missions from
humanitarian assistance, to peace operations in complex contingencies,
to countering security challenges presented by piracy, drug
trafficking and terrorism. These efforts have laid the foundation for
effective coalition operations. We now need to apply the skills we
have developed to combating terrorism.
The campaign will involve many efforts. Many nations have offered to
participate in a Malacca Straits patrol to ensure that terrorists
cannot attack shipping there. Many nations are sharing information and
following leads to ferret out terrorist cells, training camps and
finances. The U.S. is increasing efforts to help the Philippines
vanquish the Abu Sayyaf Group and has increased dialogue with key
Asia-Pacific nations on measures to increase the capability of their
armed forces and security services to deal with terrorists. Some
measures will be temporary. However, now is the time to establish
enduring security arrangements among Asia-Pacific nations to address
the security challenges of the 21st century.
Unfortunately, it takes tragedies like the events of 11 September to
change thresholds for effective action. For years we have been
speaking of shared interests in countering 21st century challenges
such as transnational terrorism, drug trafficking and piracy, and how
no nation can effectively deal with these challenges alone. We now
clearly see the effects of allowing traditional security approaches
and historic animosities to stand in the way of serious cooperation on
shared interests. If the Asia-Pacific nations grasp this opportunity
to work together, we will ensure the future safety and security of our
citizens and foster peaceful development in the region.
