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Introduction At the opening ceremony, on 31 May, 2000, Lieutenant Colonel John Derick, Training Adviser and Deputy Chief of the Training Unit, United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations led welcome remarks. This was followed by the keynote address by Secretary Orlando Mercado titled, "A Little Peace Can Go a Long Way." Proceedings The first session began with a presentation by Lieutenant Colonel John Derick on "Considerations for Participation in Peace Operations-Political, National and Regional Implications." The second speaker Lieutenant Colonel Tom Raquer, Southeast Asia Policy Officer, USCINCPAC, discussed the PACOM Capacity Enhancement Program. John Otte, Program Manager of Education and Training at the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, discussed "Peace Operations Training Centers: Development of Programs, Staffing, Certification, Accreditation, Organizational Options – National and Regional Models." Colonel Robert Brewster, JTF Training and Doctrine Division Chief of USPACOM, discussed the "Introduction of the Combined Deployable Joint Task Force Augmentation Cell." A presentation was also made by Brigadier General John G. Castellaw, United States forces INTERFET commander during peace enforcement operations in East Timor, titled "Experience from East Timor" together with Major Tim Warrington and Jesda Katavetin. General Angelo T. Reyes, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, who hosted an official dinner for the participants of the seminar, also addressed the participants. General Discussion Several speakers discussed the evolution of Peacekeeping Operations and its development through the years. The United Nations is continuously being challenged with the growing task of maintaining a secure environment in flashpoint areas around the globe. Conflicts, which are internal in nature, have been a global concern because of cross-border involvement, which has the consequence of becoming an international issue. Some of these issues include refugee problems, weapons proliferation and human rights problems. These entail an upgrade in the capability of forces and civilian agencies concerned. Training, therefore for forces and concerned agencies is an integral part of Peacekeeping Operations, especially in developing a framework that will integrate international forces from different cultures. The issue of sovereignty of states is one of the challenges the UN is facing in its Peacekeeping Operations. Peacekeeping Operations and Humanitarian Assistance entails consent from the state involved. Conclusion There is a challenge for member states to make a decision on how much they want their force to be involved in training for Peacekeeping Operations. There is also a need to focus on integrated social solutions in Peacekeeping Operations. Close coordination between the military and civilians is an important component of each operation's program. There is a need to create contingency programs that would support Peace Operations in the Asia Pacific region. It is important to maintain a balance between the control and command system of administering the integration of peace operation systems. Command operations must be proportional to the control system of the peace forces. Conference Session Summaries for May 31, 2000 Welcome Remarks Lieutenant Colonel John Derick, Training Adviser and Deputy Chief of the Training Unit, United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations on Training for Peace Operations – Policy Mission Management and Integrated Civilian-Military Exercises Training Standards. Background Lieutenant Colonel John Derick began the seminar by acknowledging the presence of the participants and distinguished guests. He also thanked the Philippine government for hosting the seminar. Issues Lt Col John Derick stressed that although we are rarely faced with intra-state violence, conflicts are a confounding mix because internal conflicts, which are essentially the core problem, are being complicated by cross border involvement by state or non-state actors. He said that the UN is faced with the task of increasing peacekeeping demands and lately assuming the role of interim administration. Prospects The participants of the seminar are expected to have a renewed awareness of the nature of Peace Operations and realize the need for Asia-Pacific multinational, multifunctional involvement in training and preparing for Peace Operations. The seminar is expected to allow for interaction that will pave the way for sharing of knowledge and expertise for the common goal of a clear, practical approach towards building the capacity for conflict resolution. Opening Address The keynote address by Honorable Orlando S. Mercado, Secretary of the National Defense, Philippines, entitled "A Little Peace Can Go A Long Way," delivered during the opening ceremonies. Background Secretary Orlando Mercado began by saying that the seminar is about "knowing how to look back." He said "when we know how to look back, it is easier to go where we want to be." He emphasized that Peace Operations on an international scale are not new...it is as old as the UN Security Council's power to authorize peace enforcement and Peacekeeping Operations wherever there may be a threat to world peace. He said that during the Cold War era, rivalries between superpowers meant military warfare. Now, it has been replaced by competition among economic powers, ethnic hatred, ideological conflict and religion. Issues Secretary Mercado gave significance to the need to humanize Peacekeeping Operations and peace enforcement. He highlighted the concept of regionalizing responsibility for Peace Operations with the proposal to build the capacity of willing countries to deploy, equip and maintain Peace Operations contingents. This idea, he said is feasible but it may lead to unwanted risks such as an uncredible Peace Operations force, vulnerability to less-than humanitarian motives and regional tension in the name of humanitarian intervention. The secretary also emphasized that there is no single way to keep the peace. A balance between sovereignty and humanitarian intervention should be maintained. He said that the methods of Peace Operations are as varied as the people, cultures, histories and conflicts of the countries in which they are applied. That is why the country whose peace is under threat is the first country that ought to know why its peace is being threatened and what must be done to restore it. As regards the current situation in the southern part of the country, the Secretary of National Defense stressed that we can restore peace in Mindanao. He stressed that peace in the Philippines is peace in one part of the world and that an end to the Mindanao conflict is one less conflict for humanity to be concerned about. Prospects The Filipinos are expected to impart some of the knowledge they learned from the Mindanao problem because even if the conflict is internal and does not call for any kind of intervention, it has a humanitarian dimension that cannot be ignored. The tension between one country's sovereignty and the rest of the world's security is never an easy fact to deal with. Thus, it is expected that the succeeding seminars on Peace Operations will eventually address this as a fundamental question. Considerations for Participation in Peace Operations Lieutenant Colonel John Derick Background Lieutenant Colonel John Derick discussed the evolution of Peacekeeping Operations by the UN, the mandate of the UN in strengthening of Peacekeeping Operations and the UN engagement in exploring partnerships with other multinational forces, NGO's and civil society. Issues One of the main issues that continue to confront the UN, according to Derick, is that the difficult conflicts, which are essentially internal but are often complicated by cross-border involvement, has the consequence of becoming an international issue. He stressed that today's destructive civil conflicts demand timely deployment for an operation's success. Deployment is a crucial factor in an operation's success. Conflicts will continue to erupt in areas where regional organizations lack the resources or expertise to respond. The speaker said that diplomacy is the best means of settling disputes but it has limitations. When it fails, atrocities cannot continue therefore the need for Peace Operations ensue. Prospects There is a need for institutionalization of politics of Peace Operations, which must be accompanied by economic development. Further, there is a need to deploy a much broader range of civilian expertise that does not exist in the UN system, which include lawyers, judges, city administrators and others. Finally, there is a need to improve information flows together with the processing of information both between member states and the UN secretariat. Key Aspects of Modern Peacekeeping Lieutenant Colonel Tom Raquer, Southeast Asia Policy Officer, USCINCPAC, presented the "PACOM Capacity Enhancement Program." Background Lieutenant Colonel Tom Raquer focused his discussion on the PACOM's Capacity Enhancement Program and on the Asia Pacific Regional Initiative (APRI). He said that PACOM's future direction is a catalyst that will give the best ways to work together in Peace Operations and disasters response. He stressed that Peace Operations are more complicated because they revolve on humanitarian complex emergencies. He said that there are limited resources, ideas and experiences when working in a multilateral environment. He clarified that the peace operation involvement of PACOM was sparked by the East Timor situation. Issues Among the recurring themes in his presentation include the challenges faced by PACOM, being new in the Peacekeeping Operations arena. He said that PACOM aims to enhance Asian Peace Operations capacity through this seminar as well as other regional exercises and training programs. He said that its job is to spark a dialogue, which hopes to create an Asia Pacific Model on Peace Operations to carry on the other existing models. That is, to get insights from experts worldwide (Europe, Asia, US, etc) and formulate a "best practice" model. He also said the various confidence building measures conducted under the auspices of the ARF would be a good starting point. According to Lt. Col. Raquer, they plan to build on the previous and on-going peace operation projects in South Asia and move on to Southeast Asia and eventually, to include the North East Asia by the year 2001. In support of the realization of PACOM's mandate, help and support from other established organizations, such as the COE, US Army Pacific, USCINCPAC APAN program and the like are being coordinated. Prospects There is a need to create contingency programs that would support Peace Operations in the Asia Pacific region. Also, there is a need to develop other countries' Peace Operations activities under the UN umbrella. Lastly, close coordination between military and civilians is an important component of each operation program. Roles of Peacekeeping Presentation by John Otte, Program Manager of Education and Training at the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance on Peace Operations Training Centers: Development of Programs, Staffing, Certification, Accreditation, Organizational Options – National and Regional Models. Background The presentation was focused on the role, mandate, education and training, research and publications and functions of the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance. Issues Training and education of forces and organizations concerned needs a set-up that will build liaison and support for multifunctional and multinational cooperation. Different perspectives from different nationalities in developing programs will lessen language barriers and other differences. Developed training programs and materials are disseminated to other countries and agencies. Research support on education and training programs of the COE is more on applied research than on basic research. Other research needs of the COE are linked with academic institutions such as the University of Hawaii. Prospects The Center of Excellence is continuously working with the UN for guidelines in Peacekeeping Operations. Training modules and other text materials are made available in the Asia-Pacific network to facilitate distance learning. Introduction of the Combined Deployable JTF Augmentation Cell; Experience from East Timor Brigadier General John G. Castellaw, United States forces INTERFET commander during peace enforcement operations in East Timor, titled "Experience from East Timor." Background General Castellaw discussed the experiences of US INTERFET in East Timor. He said that the mission of US INTERFET is to restore peace and security in East Timor. The US INTERFET was termed the American Participation because it involved 6,000 Americans working for the stabilization of East Timor. He stressed that although the US INTERFET provides logistics, intelligence, civil and military resources, the American participation is its most important component. He also stressed that INTERFET's encounter with the Militia is a well-planned and well-executed operation. Issues One major issue addressed by Brigadier General Castellaw is the environmental security of the people in Asia Pacific region. He clarified that the Asia-Pacific Command finds difficulty in becoming visible among the member nations of UN. He stressed that there is a need to develop multinational exercises, and regional and national development of Peace Operation activities in order to create an environment of peace and stability in the region. Another issue raised by Brigadier General Castellaw is the support of all UN countries in Peace Operations. He said that a comprehensive force protection plan is necessary to support Peace Operation. He also stressed the need for profound exercises of all the contingents in order to make it possible to deal with more complicated cases. Prospects Brigadier General Castellaw said there is a need to develop multinational and regional exercises of Peacekeeping Operations. He said that beyond the activities already planned, the involved countries have to indicate a keen interest in working Peace Operations under the UN umbrella. He referred to this as the forefront, which the Asia Pacific Region has to be proud of. Following Brig. General Castellaw, Major Tim Warrington, of the United Kingdom Marine Corps, presented his views on "Experiences from East Timor." Background The speaker discussed the experiences of UK INTERFET in East Timor. He said that East Timor is a challenging environment to the UK INTERFET because it was the first UN operation in which they had participated at a sub-unit level. In referring to the force posture operation in East Timor, he said that the UK INTERFET has slightly adopted a different approach to Peace Operations characterized by humanitarian operation. This kind of operation prompted the involvement of the community in East Timor. Issues Major Tim Warrington identified the differences of Peace Operations in East Timor as one of the important issues that has to be given attention. He said that UK INTERFET encountered several problems on their integration with other Peacekeeping Operations because it did not determine what was going to be in advance. He also reaffirmed the importance of existing rules of engagement and state of command in Peace Operations. He said that their state of command is problematic because of the terminology and different practices in the rules of engagement. In reference to these problems, he said that the Western contingents are less capable compared to other contingents. Prospects He emphasized the need to integrate peace-training operations with all the military allies in the United Nations. He also agreed on the need for international cooperation as the key to making the rule of Peace Operations effectively. Thus he suggested that the plans for reform should take a humanitarian support operation. He also stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between the control and command system of administering the integration of peace operation systems. He said that the command operations must be proportional to the control system of the peace forces. Multilateral Peace Support Operations Capacity Building General Angelo T. Reyes AFP, Chief of Staff of the armed Forces of the Philippines. Address delivered during the official dinner hosted for the participants of the Asia Pacific Senior Leadership Peace Operations Seminar. Background The speaker began by discussing the notion of real peace in this era. He said that for peacekeepers, real peace means real involvement. It is peace with justice; a peace that builds nations and rebuilds others. Issues One major issue he brought up was the current situation in Mindanao wherein people are dying. He put much emphasis on the fact that proper courses of action should be made in order to meet this longstanding challenge and enforce peace in the area. More importantly, the speaker said that the military is not fighting to wage war but to end it because "peace, right and freedom are the most important things worth fighting for." He also discussed the importance of capacity building in Peace Operations and training. He said that although international leadership is one of the most important ingredients for a successful peace operation, it is vital to instill in every participant the capacity to take initiatives to protect the people. That is, to spread the leadership role among them. Lastly, General Reyes stressed the need to forge a common ground to act and build a consensus among peacekeepers. He said that Peacekeeping Operations should make the lines clear so as not to go beyond providing humanitarian aid and imposing foreign interference. He added that saving and protecting the lives of the people is the main objectives of Peace Operations – to give the people a chance to live just and equitable lives. Prospects General Reyes put forth a challenge to "instill in every participant the capacity to make a stand on their own and initiate a move to protect people from deprivations, enslavement or death." |
