SASEAN NATIONS CONVENE TO PROMOTE SECURITY THROUGH DIALOGUE
The opening remarks of the inaugural SASEAN Defence Chiefs ' Dialogue 2014 in Colombo was presented by General Jagath Jayasuriya, Chief of Defence Staff of Sri Lanka. General 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.
General Jayasuriya highlighted that in the 5 years since the defeat of terrorism there has been significant strides in the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka, including progress on implementation of recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission; resettlement of all 295,873 internally displaced persons with the last batch resettled in September 2012; 90% of the 2.064 square kilometers 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 or enlarged on bail by Court.
General Jayasuriya went on to state that the presence of security force personnel in the Jaffna peninsula and the nearby islands which was over 50,000 at the height of the conflict, has now been reduced to approximately 13,000.
Delivering the keynote speech, Secretary of Defence of Sri Lanka Honourable Gotabaya Rajapaksa said, "This dialogue brings to a common forum the Chiefs of Armed Forces in the South Asian and South East Asian region. It is our belief that the creation of a platform of this nature enables free and frank exchange of views and discussion on issues of mutual interest. This will also help to 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.â€
Honourable Gotabaya Rajapaksha went on to identify 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 key to achieving these ambitions or aspirations. Reducing tensions and overcoming misunderstanding within the countries of this region is a very important role for the SASEAN security community.
He identified the main challenges in the region to be drug trafficking, human trafficking and illegal immigration. Given that the SASEAN region has been plagued with the afore mentioned challenges, honourable Gotabaya Rajapaksa called on member states of SASEAN to co-operate in sharing of intelligence, enabling military 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 training, joint exercises, exchanges, assistance in capacity building are some of the means in which regional security as a whole can be strengthened.â€
The first session described the technicalities involved in the role of a Chief of Defence Staff including its protocol, vision, mission, function, status, organization, legitimacy, legal status, policies, directives, instructions, and publications.
Issues discussed in the first session included the role of the army in development of 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. Views were expressed on the role of the security apparatus in maintaining law and order. In certain countries the police is the primary institution mandated with ensuring law and order. It is only when the situation is beyond the capacity of the police, do the military intervene.
Mr. Anatoly Antonov, Deputy Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation addressing the inaugural session stated, "President Vladimir Putin has defined the Primary Mission of the Foreign Policy of Russia as building a brand new system of global consensus which will prevent conflicts from flaming up. 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 recognized norms of international law.
"The Sri Lankan SASEAN Chiefs Defense Dialogue fits in to this purpose and was initiated at a timely moment to create a platform useful and relevant.
"We would like to show our capability, and I would like to confirm that we are ready to help all Ministers of Defense, all armed forces of the region to be more efficient, to be more strengthened, and we are at your disposal.â€
The proceedings of Day One of the Inaugural SASEAN Defence Chiefs ' Dialogue was thus successfully concluded.
