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A: Opening Remarks
General Johny Lumintang, Ambassador Walter Stadtler, Major General Franklin van Kappen, Brigadier General John Castellaw, distinguished visitors and guests, ladies and gentlemen, good morning and welcome. It is my distinct honor and pleasure to speak to you today at the opening of this auspicious event, the Southeast Asia Peace Operations Seminar-Game. The greater honor belongs to the Government of Indonesia for being our host, and appreciation goes to the co-sponsors, the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the US Pacific Command. The game-seminar is executed through the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance. The importance of such an event for the region and for the world should not be underestimated. So often in our quest to stay current with what is happening in the world, cataclysmic affairs overrun the calm, quiet, positive steps we walk together. This seminar-game is one such step, and a very important step when we consider the nature of the world we now live in. There has been a dramatic shift in the nature of peace operations since the first UN peacekeeping mission in 1948 and particularly during the 1990s. Up until the 1990s, UN peacekeeping missions generally involved the monitoring or supervision of an agreement made between two warring states following a conflict involving traditional militaries on a battlefield. The UN intervention was part of the process of consolidating the peace. Today's peace operations are taking place in a completely different environment - one in which the internal state infrastructure has broken down, law and order is non existent and conflict is taking place between factions based on religious, ethnic or political groups. Displacement of population whether external or internal is one of the prime features of this environment. The peacekeeping mission will often involve the provision of a secure environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance, protection of displaced populations, restoration of law and order and reconstruction of the state. Peace operations today require the coordinated, integrated effort of all sectors that comprise civil society, plus those that have special roles in complex contingencies and humanitarian emergencies: civilian police forces, military, political and diplomatic sectors, and humanitarians. As a secure environment is established by the military component and humanitarian relief takes place, simultaneously, political and diplomatic efforts can negotiate a long-term solution and begin the rebuilding and development process. The conditions and responses that are required for successful peace operations are the same as those required to successfully counter-act terrorism. The asymmetry of the operations, the severity of the impact on civilians and the breakdown of law and order demand the same interdisciplinary, coordinated response, with all of the resources of societies brought to bear. The rule of law is paramount, and the coordination skills learned in peacekeeping operations will serve as well to meet the challenges posed by terrorism. Indonesia has a distinguished history of supporting peacekeeping missions around the world, including the deployment of battalions and field hospitals in missions to Eastern Slovenia and Somalia, among many others. This commitment to Indonesia's role in settling international problems, particularly those threatening peace and contrary to justice and humanity, is enshrined in Dasa Sila, or "The Ten Principles of Bandung". The Dasa Sila strives for world peace and to uphold the human rights principles of the United Nations. The metal of Indonesia's commitment has been forged and tested through 29 fatalities in service to 6 different UN peacekeeping missions. The 20 plus Nations and International organizations participating here today represent an enormous commitment - - past, present and future - - of time, resources and yes, human lives, to the ideal and to the reality of peaceful coexistence. Preparing for these missions, whether one is a humanitarian, military, civil servant or civilian police is critical and doing it together is the reason we have gathered here today, to learn how to better achieve our goals. This Asia Pacific Peace Operations Capacity Building Program is one of the programs that will assist the process. This series of seminars, symposia, exercises and games is designed to facilitate multi-national dialogue on the nature of peace operations in the modern context to enhance peace operations capacities of participating nations. The overarching purpose here today is to enhance the readiness of participant forces, to increase harmonization between peacekeeping forces and other components involved in peace operations and to explore the Rules of Engagement under international laws, treaties and conventions. This effort will continue, with three more events scheduled within the next several months, including a Northeast Asia Seminar-Game in Mongolia, a game in Singapore and an All Asia seminar-game in Hawaii in September. By the end of the week, it is the fervent hope of the organizers and co-sponsors that participants will possess an enhanced ability to execute peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance missions and will be better prepared to operate in concert with other international response forces. But as important as this objective is, it is equally rewarding for all concerned that you learn from one another and build relationships that will benefit your own nations and organizations, and in turn contribute to peace and stability in the region.
Lieutenant
General Johny J. Lumintang His Excellency, the Ambassador of the Unites States of America, Mr. Ralph L. Boyce, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great honor for Indonesia to have the chance to host this Asia Pacific Peace Operations Seminar Game held from 8 April until 12 April 2002 here in Jakarta. On behalf of Indonesian Government especially the Indonesian Department of Defense and Indonesian Armed Forces, let me welcome you all to Indonesia. We hope you will enjoy your time during your stay here. This event, which is co-sponsored by the United Nations, the Indonesian Government and the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance on behalf of the United States Pacific Command, is an important event for Indonesia especially for Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) for many reasons. Amongst others, this event is a testimony of appreciation of our countries commitment and contributions towards the world peace. Indonesia has participated in many UN missions since 1957. Yet, we feel that we still need to deepen our understanding about the concept of peacekeeping. We also need to develop our conflict management skills, improve our capability and enhance our involvement for future peace operations as our role in trying to ensure world peace. It is mandatory for us to be involved in the UN peace operations, as it is stated in the preamble of our 1945 constitution, to take part in every effort in ensuring world peace. However, because of our present condition, it seems as though it is a bit difficult for us to increase our involvement in UN peace operations at this time. But again, we are optimistic that in the near future we can contribute more. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. The fact is that we have not yet freed from conflict, war and disasters. In fact, the world is now facing more complex conflicts that are not only caused by the differences in economic, ethnic culture, but also religious beliefs. Those conflicts, whether they are interstate conflicts or intrastate conflicts bring about strong impacts on global and regional peace and stability. Not to mention the loss of resources or even loss of lives. This is why a much more collaborative effort between UN members is needed to deter and prevent emerging conflicts. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen As you may be aware, the objective of this seminar is, among others, to develop an appreciation of the issues that come from integrating components within modern complex contingencies with an emphasis on multinational and multifunctional peace operations. Moreover, through this seminar you may broaden your knowledge and ability to examine your nation's capacity building and training that is required to optimize participation in peace operations. Beside that, you may get a clearer idea of multilateral, multifunctional and operational levels of peacekeeping operations and training requirements that are required to enhance contribution in every UN peace mission. Hopefully, this seminar will give meaningful benefit for all of us. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen Allow me to express our gratitude to the United States Pacific Command for supporting this seminar and also that thank the United Nations Department of Peace Keeping Operations, the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance. Not to forget, thank you to all countries, organizations and individuals who contributed in various ways to make this seminar a success. I would also like to thank the organizing committee for their hard work in making all of this possible. To close, I wish all the best for you and thank you.
Brigadier
General John G. Castellaw Good morning Mr. Ambassador, General Lumintang, General van Kappen, and to all of you. I think we owe Mr. Peter Leentjes special thanks for all of the tremendous work that he has put into making this a great seminar game. Peter and I last served together in the Balkans back in the early 90's and it is great to be together with him here, again. Admiral Blair sends his greetings, and thanks you not only for your presence, but for your support, participation, and earnest dedication to this seminar and the ideals which it supports. Admiral Blair further expresses his appreciation to the Government of Indonesia for hosting, and to the UN for co-sponsoring this event. A special welcome and acknowledgement goes to the representatives of the many countries participating in this Southeast Asia Peace Operations Seminar Game. It is so important as well that the participants are a mix of civilian, law enforcement and military. The environment today is not one-dimensional; it demands the cooperation of each of these various spheres. We must learn from each other. Admiral Blair thinks that this is so very important for all of us to be here, and thanks you all. As many of you already know, Admiral Blair is preparing to relinquish command of United States Pacific Command to Admiral Fargo. Admiral Fargo is presently the Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet, and thereby brings a great deal of Pacific experience with him as he assumes command. I expect him to maintain the steady progress made by Admiral Blair, and to continue much the same course. I am the last guy, and I have to keep the time short to meet our schedule. We must focus on what General van Kappen has said, in that this week is very important to try to figure these things out. This might indeed be the only chance that you get to think about it and work through some of the details. This week we seek to develop a greater capability to deal with operational level issues in modern peace operations, examine capacity building and training required, and enhance regional inter agency coordination and cooperation. I hope to learn from each of you, and I will be around throughout the week, visiting with each of you in your planning groups. Thanks you for your time and attention.
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