Brigadier General Djoko Sutrisno
Director for International Cooperation, Directorate General for Defense Strategy, Indonesian Department of Defense

Major General Franklin van Kappen, Brigadier General Castellaw, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:

After joining the seminar game for four and a half days, I'm sure that every participant now has a clearer idea about the concept of peace operations and also a clearer picture about the Rules of Engagement, Law of Armed Conflict, knows how to set up an UN Coalition, transition from coalition to multilateral, UN-mandated operations, command and control, training, and other issues that are related to a UN-mission.

Hopefully, every participant has a deeper understanding of mission analysis, integrated mission plans and training requirements as the most important elements in conducting a peace operation.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies And Gentlemen:

We understand that you have been working hard during this seminar game, however it is an effort worth doing to improve our knowledge and skill in every aspect of a peace operation. We have to keep on learning and practicing: this is vital to support our performance in our contribution to peace operations.

We believe that whatever we have done is not yet optimal, but if we keep on trying to do our best, some day our expectation will come true

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Again I need to express our gratitude to the United States Pacific Command, the UNDPKO and to the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance. Also, I would like to thank everybody who contributed in any way to make this seminar-game possible.

It is now time to say farewell to all of you, until we meet again in a real Peace Operation on the ground. Thank you, I wish you all the best and for peace.

 

Brigadier General John G. Castellaw
Deputy Commander, Marine Forces - Pacific

In closing, I want to thank the attendees from the various countries. You are the reason that we are here and your participation is what made this seminar-game a success.

Thanks to the Center of Excellence: Peter, John, Tom and the rest of the staff and the expert wise men that have completed this task many times.

Most of all, thanks to our host Brigadier General Sutrisno and the government of Indonesia for providing this impressive setting and for your incomparable hospitality in welcoming us so warmly. As a symbol of our appreciation, we have a gift for you, a koa wood paddle. Koa wood is an expensive, hard wood that does not break easily, even when battered by the elements - the same is true for our friendship with Indonesia.

It has been my pleasure this week to represent CINCPAC and Admiral Blair. These types of events have been the hallmark of his tenure. He will be pleased with the results of this Peace Operation Seminar Game.

It is true that some of the participants have been passionate in their remarks, but it is a passion, not for conquest or glory but for the most noble of causes - - the pursuit of peace. The passion comes from bitter experience in the Balkans, the Mid-East, Africa and in this part of the world.

The rallying cry is "never again." Never again should we fail to do our best to prepare for these most challenging operations.

It is our passionate hope that this seminar will contribute to greater understanding, cooperation and the will needed to succeed in peace operations. Thank you.