SASEAN Defence Chiefs’ Dialogue :

Regional cooperation to a new high

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

The world is in need of a new security architecture in its efforts to face new challenges. Chiefs of Defence staff of South and South East Asian Nations gathered in Colombo meeting up for a dialogue for the protection and stability of the region. In the present context there is a need for a brand new system of global consensus to prevent conflicts from flaming up, said Anatoly Antonov, Deputy Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation addressing the inaugural session.

“There is a need for new security architecture based upon balance of interest and mutual guarantees, collective non-bloc grounds, equal and indivisible security, and mutually recognised norms of international law,” he said extending willingness to support the region to maintain peace and stable development. “The Sri Lankan SASEAN Defence Chiefs’ Dialogue fits in purpose and was initiated timely to create a platform useful and relevant,” he said.

To exchange knowledge and experience global security experts, military and civil, has met on several occasions in Sri Lanka under various themes, to review the strength of the security and cooperation among the nations. The target was to avoid possibility of terrorism or any such man-made threats to emerge.

Environment

With the prevailing peaceful environment in Sri Lanka and the conducive environment for such discussions more and more gatherings are expected to happen. In such a backdrop the South and South East Asian Nations (SASEAN) Defence Chiefs’ Dialogue, which is a pioneering initiative provides a beneficial platform for the countries.

Delivering the keynote speech, Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa said, “It is our belief that creation of this platform of this nature enable free and frank exchange of views and discussion on issues of mutual interest.

This will also help improve inter-military understanding within the region. It is therefore also our hope this dialogue will become an annual fixture which will benefit all participating nations in the region.”

Rajapaksa pointed out that the primary aspirations of the south and southeast asian countries as maintaining peace and stability for their continuing economic development.

Maintaining regional stability and upholding national security is the key to achieving these ambitions or the aspirations. Reducing tensions and overcoming misunderstanding within the countries of this region is a very important role of the SASEAN security community.

Given that the SASEAN region has been plagued with threats such as drug trafficking, human trafficking and illegal immigration Rajapaksa called on member states to co-operate in sharing of intelligence enables militaries and law enforcement agencies and other key actors in national security to improve their preparedness to combat those threats. “Improving inter-military cooperation in terms of trainings joint exercises, exchanges, assistance in capacity building are some of the means in which regional security as a whole can be strengthened,” he said.

Stability

However, this forum “will not be a military organisation,” stressed, Chief of Defence Staff General Jagath Jayasuriya.

The SASEAN Defence Chiefs’ Dialogue organised by the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development is a catalyst in promoting security and stability meeting the challenges of the rapidly transforming Asian region. Nearly 18 countries have sent their consents in participating in SASEAN. Countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Miyanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam will be participating in the event, according to the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff.

The opening remarks of the inaugural SASEAN Defence Chiefs’ Dialogue Gen. Jayasuriya pointed out that amidst an Asian resurgence in terms of economic growth there is a rising geo-strategic interest of extra-regional powers in the Asian region. “Amidst this transition Sri Lanka is emerging as one of the most peaceful and stable states in Asia ascending the cycle of post conflict revival triggered by a successful counter-insurgency campaign,” he said.

General Jayasuriya highlighted that in the five years since the defeat of terrorism there has been significant strides in the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka, including progress on implementation of recommendation of the lessons learnt and reconciliation commission; resettlement of all 295,873 internally displaced persons with the last batch resettled in September 2012; 90 percent of the 2.064 square kilometres contaminated with landmines and UXO's have been de-mined as at today; over 961,447 explosive devices have been recovered; 11,551 persons including 594 child soldiers have been rehabilitated and reintegrated into society; and legal proceedings have been instituted against 194 ex-combatants under judicially mandated custody remanded on enlarged on bail Court. Issues discussed in the first session included the role of the army in development, construction and infrastructure towards nation building. It is when defence and urban development authority work in collaboration that a conducive environment for rapid development and sustainable prosperity is created. The issue of law and order and the sequencing of these two imperatives were discussed.

The Defence Chiefs dialogue ends today bringing the regional cooperation to a new height. Much awaited bilateral discussions, exchange of knowledge will surely pave the path to sustain the rapid development the region is enjoying at present.

- DY