외교부

Co-Chairs' Summary Report of the Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum

Inter-sessional Support Group on Confidence Building Measures and Preventive Diplomacy
Manila, Philippines, 1-3 March 2006

Introduction

1.      Pursuant to the decision of the 12^th Ministerial Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) held in Laos on 29 July 2005, and the second meeting of the Inter-sessional Support Group on Confidence Building Measures and Preventive Diplomacy (ISG on CBM and PD) was held in Manila on 1-3 March 2006.  The Meeting was co-chaired by the Philippines and the United States.

2.      Representatives from all ARF countries, except Timor Leste, attended the Meeting. The ARF Unit of the ASEAN Secretariat was also represented.   The ARF Defense Officials' Dialogue, now an integral part of the ARF process, was held on 1 March.  The Agenda of the Meeting is attached as ANNEX A, the Programme of Activities as ANNEX B, and the List of Participants as ANNEX C.

Briefing on the Outcome of the Defense Officials’ Dialogue

3.      Defense Undersecretary Rodel Cruz of the Philippines, co-chair of the ARF Defense Officials’ Dialogue, briefed the meeting on the outcome of the meeting which took place on 1 March 2006.  The DOD had a lively discussion on the following matters:  (a) Current arrangements between the defense establishments of ARF participating countries on enhancing border cooperation; (b) Defense Reforms / Security Sector Reforms of participating countries; and (c) Issues to be discussed at the ARF Security Policy Conference.  Attached as Annex D is the co-chairs’ summary report of the DOD.

Exchange of Views on the Regional and International Security Situation

4.      Participants expressed concern on the continuing challenge posed by terrorism in the Asia Pacific region. The Meeting stressed the importance of strengthening regional cooperation within the context of ARF to improve measures that would effectively combat the threat of terrorism in the Asia-Pacific region. Some participants cited the need for better information and intelligence sharing to fine tune regional and global efforts. Participants also welcomed various counterterrorism initiatives and programs presented by Indonesia and Japan and reaffirmed the central role of the United Nations in the fight against terrorism in the region.  Some delegations also stressed the importance of dealing with the root causes of terrorism and tackling the factors contributing to support for, and recruitment into, terrorism.

5.      Such efforts at counter-terrorism include maritime cooperative activities between and among countries to secure the seas and the increasing volume of maritime trade passing through the region’s maritime area; capacity building through information exchange and training. Joint military exercises undertaken by different countries in the region to secure peace and promote inter-operability of their militaries especially in addressing terrorist activities are also being undertaken toward this goal.

6.      Many participants stressed that for activities toward the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) to become effective, all countries must cooperate to address the issue.  They agreed to work together to prevent and deny non-state actors access to WMD and WMD technologies as required by the UNSC Resolution 1540. The importance of strict measures to control weapons of mass destruction and their component materials was addressed. In this context, emphasis was placed on effective controls on the export of military goods and dual-use technologies to prevent proliferation and to ensure denial to terrorists of access to weapons and related technologies. Moreover, a number of participants expressed the view that the international community must continue universal adherence to the Hague Code of Conduct on Ballistic Missile Proliferation; work towards universal adherence to the Additional Protocol; and redouble their efforts to strengthen the non-proliferation treaty (NPT).

7.      In view of the offense caused by the publication of provocative cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, and the violence that ensued, the Meeting noted the need to learn from this sad experience the importance of religious tolerance and mutual respect, while calling for calm and restraint.

8.      Interfaith dialogues, as a tool toward attaining peace through fostering dialogue and understanding between cultures and religions, has been recognized as a positive measure to mitigate misunderstanding in the region. Countries in the region expressed support for its pursuit and expressed the intent to explore ways within their means to pursue interfaith activities.

9.      The Meeting expressed its desire for the realization of a nuclear-free Korean peninsula and its continued support for the resumption of the six party talks at the soonest possible time, pointing out the latter’s vital role in achieving a peaceful negotiated resolution to the nuclear issue. The participants reaffirmed their support for the September 19, 2005 Joint Statement of Principles and emphasized the need for an expeditious and faithful implementation of the Joint Statement. The Meeting commended China for its constructive role in the talks.  Participants further welcomed the recent developments in the on-going inter-Korean exchanges and reiterated their hope that inter-Korean relations will continue to be conducive to peace and stability and reinforce efforts for the resolution of the nuclear issue in the Korean peninsula.  The Meeting welcomed the Japan-North Korea bilateral talks that were held from 4-8 February 2006 in Beijing after a 15 month interval.  The Meeting took note of the Japanese intention to continue the dialogue, despite no progress having been made on outstanding issues of concern.

10. The Meeting noted that the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DoC) has provided a very important strategic cooperation and partnership between ASEAN and China.  It was noted that the 2^nd meeting of the ASEAN-China Joint Working Group on the Implementation of the DOC held in Sanya, China, in February 2006, continued to discuss projects and policy directions that ASEAN and China could to strengthen the DoC as the framework and guidepost for state-to-state relations with reference to the South China Sea.  Many participants expressed the hope that with the implementation of confidence-building measures, ASEAN and China are moving towards the eventual adoption of a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea.

11. A number of participants reiterated their concern over what they consider to be the lack of progress toward genuine democracy and national reconciliation in Myanmar and urged the country to fulfill its commitments and undertake genuine reform by speeding up its democratization process.   The meeting noted the agreements reached during the 11^th ASEAN Summit and  looked forward to the forthcoming visit of ASEAN Standing Committee Chair and Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar to Myanmar. Some participants called for the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other NLD political prisoners. Other  participants noted that the situation in Myanmar did not pose any significant threat to international and regional security and stability, while some others disagreed.  Some participants stressed  the importance of continued engagement with the country rather than imposing sanctions. .

12. The Meeting noted the reporting of Iran by the International Atomic Energy Agency to the United Nations Security Council regarding its nuclear enrichment activities on 4 February 2005.  Recognizing the right of all nations to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and the need to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the Meeting expressed the hope that Iran would cooperate fully and transparently with the IAEA on the issue of the suspension of its nuclear enrichment activities as a means to build much needed confidence in Iran’s nuclear program. The Participants urged all parties to work for a peaceful and diplomatic solution to the issue. 

13. Participants expressed concern on the rise of sectarian violence in Iraq and hoped for increased efforts to restore peace and stability. They also expressed hope for all parties to work for the prompt and successful political reconstruction of Iraq.

14. The Meeting noted the recent spate of natural disasters highlighted the need to strengthen international cooperation for swift and collective responses in disaster relief. Participants expressed their condolences to Philippines for the devastation and losses it sustained during the recent landslides in Southern Leyte.

15. Participants agreed that avian and pandemic influenza and other infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS posed significant potential security threats to the countries in the region. Participants recognized the importance of working with existing multilateral organizations to ensure that ARF initiatives are complementary.  Participants also raised the possibility of establishing a network of security officials involved in pandemic issues to address potential outbreaks.

Voluntary Background Briefings

16. The meeting took note of the following voluntary briefings made by ARF participants:

• Philippines’ measures to enhance maritime security (Annex E)
• Follow-up activities of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (briefing by New Zealand)
• North Korea’s bilateral meetings with Japan
• Australia’s Initiative on Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS) (Annex F)
• Emergency Preparedness in Singapore (Annex G)
• International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza in Beijing (Annex H)
• 5^th Sub-committee of the Tokyo Defense Forum (Annex I)
• Laos continuing success in opium eradication in the country (Annex J).
• Malaysia’s contribution and role in emergency response on disaster in the region (Annex K)
• Thailand’s participation in the Human Security Network (Annex L)
• Outcome of discussion on human security at the 13^th APEC Summit in ROK (Annex M)
• Malaysia circulated a brochure about courses being offered by the Southeast Asia Center for Counter-terrorism for 2006
• Russia-ASEAN Cooperation in Combating Transnational Crime

(Annex N)

·        India gave a verbal briefing on maritime security with reference to the Kochi and Tokyo workshops.

·        Preventive Diplomacy: a Russian Perspective (Annex O)

Non-traditional Security Issues

17. Discussions on non-traditional security issues were focused on maritime security, in response to the discussion paper prepared by the Philippines entitled “Regional Cooperation to combat Threats to Maritime Security” (Annex P).

18. Participants acknowledged that today’s challenges to maritime security now include a race for maritime resources, insurgency and maritime terrorism, illegal boarding and seizure of ships, pollution, trafficking in person and goods.  While it is the primary responsibility of littoral states to ensure maritime security, other stakeholders such as user states, funnel states, and regional and international organizations, and the private sector, have roles to play in combating threats to maritime security.

19. The Meeting agreed that, in order to ensure effective maritime security initiatives in the region, cooperative activities need to be undertaken by countries in the region.  An initial activity could include the setting up of a database of existing maritime security initiatives in the region, which will determine the gaps in several existing initiatives, identify the requirements of littoral states in building their capacity to address maritime security, as well as the areas where possible collaborative activities can be undertaken without undermining the territorial sovereignty participating states. Towards this end, the establishment of a regional training center was proposed.  Efforts such as ReCAAP, the Alameda Meeting of User States to Identify Possible Assistance to Respond to the Needs of Malacca Strait Littoral States (Annex Q) and other collaborative maritime activities in the Malacca Strait and activities undertaken with the IMO process based on statements of the meetings in Batam and Jakarta are constructive activities in maritime security.  It was agreed that future collaborative maritime activities especially those concerning joint maritime exercises will be carefully studied and consulted between and among concerned countries, with the view of achieving consensus. Several participants noted the importance of including industry and the private sector in developing programs for maritime security cooperation.

20. Participants acknowledged the rising concern of many states regarding the world’s energy supply and the importance of cooperation and concerted efforts by states towards establishing a dialogue on energy security within the Asia-Pacific region. The Meeting cited the vital role of ARF in the pooling of efforts to explore this issue.

21. Participants agreed that avian and pandemic influenza continued to pose a significant potential threat to countries in the region. Participants recognized the importance of working with existing multilateral organizations to ensure that any ARF initiative complemented rather than duplicated existing initiatives.  Participants cited  the success of the Beijing Conference, the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza,  the high-level regional meeting of APEC economies on AI preparedness and response that was held in Brisbane from 31 October – 01 November 2005  building international partnership based on political commitment. The meeting agreed that it was important that states be committed to: transparency in reporting of influenza cases in humans and in animals, prompt sharing of epidemiological data with the WHO, capacity building to prevent and contain an emerging epidemic, and early intervention in response to potential outbreaks.

22. Participants cited the need for international cooperation against other non-traditional threats such as trafficking in persons, cyber security, arms smuggling, drug trafficking, money laundering, smuggling of goods as well as illegal fishing and illegal trade in natural resources.

23. Citing the recent spate of calamities and natural disasters, such as the Leyte landslide, hitting the region, participants agreed that there was a critical need to improve disaster management through improved communication protocols, capacity building, seminars, and the provision of early warning systems, with several participants noting the ASEAN regional standby arrangement. The meeting also acknowledged the need for continued support for the trust fund for the Tsunami early warning system.

24. Indonesia briefed the Meeting on the results of the 5^th ARF Inter-sessional Meeting on Disaster Relief held in Bandung, Indonesia, on 30 November to 2 December 2005. The ISM on DR, which was co-chaired by Indonesia and China, agreed to endeavor to enhance cooperation in risk identification and monitoring, disaster prevention and preparedness, emergency response and disaster relief, and capacity-building.  The ISM produced a draft ARF statement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response.  The 2^nd revision was distributed for further comments. The statement is expected to be discussed at the ARF SOM in Karambunai in May 2006 and endorsed to the ARF Ministers in Kuala Lumpur in July 2006.

25. The EU expressed its interest to co-chair the 7^th ISM on DR in 2007.

26. China informed the Meeting that 4^th ARF Inter-sessional Meeting on Counter-terrorism and Transnational Crime (ARF ISM on CTTC), which it is co-chairing with Brunei, has the following thrusts: (a) review of developments in counter-terrorism efforts; (b) discussion on the root causes of terrorism; and (c) capacity-building in emergency response and information sharing.  The date and venue of the 4^th ARF ISM on CT-TC will be communicated to ARF countries in due course.  Japan and Singapore expressed their desire to co-chair the 5^th ARF ISM on CT-TC in 2007.

Review and Consideration of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and Preventive Diplomacy

27. The Meeting took note of the outcome and recommendations of the following ARF inter-sessional activities, the reports of which may be viewed in the ARFNet:

·  ARF Workshop on “Training for Cooperative Maritime Security” in Kochi, India

·  ARF Workshop on Capacity Building of Maritime Security in Tokyo, Japan

·  ARF Seminar on Small Arms and Light Weapons in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

·  ARF Export Licensing Experts Meeting in Singapore: The Meeting noted the report of the Export Licensing Experts’ Meeting in Singapore on 17-19 November 2005 (Annex R) and agreed to table the list of “Best Practices in Export Control Licensing” (Annex S) to the ARF SOM for adoption and subsequent endorsement by the 13^th ARF.

28. Singapore invited participants to the forthcoming ARF Seminar on Non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, which it will host and co-chair with the United States and China on 27-29 March 2006.

29. The Meeting received draft Concept Papers for the following CBMs and agreed to present these for consideration of the ARF SOM to be held in Karambunai in May 2006:

• ARF Workshop on Terrorism and Inter-Civilization Dialogue (proposed by  Japan); (Annex T)
• ARF CBM Seminar on UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (proposed by the United States);  (Annex U)
• Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases (proposed by Singapore);  (Annex V)
• Seminar on “The Role of the Military and Civil Cooperation in the Prevention and Control of the Spread of Communicable Diseases such as SARS and Avian Influenza” (proposed by Vietnam and Australia); 

(Annex W) and

• ARF Seminar in Narcotics Control (proposed by China) (Annex X).

30. Singapore also circulated the 3^rd revised draft concept paper for a Maritime Security Capacity-building Exercise (Annex Y).  Some participants welcomed the revised concept paper while concerns were expressed by some other participants.  The Meeting agreed that further comprehensive consultations need to be made with Indonesia, Malaysia, and other concerned parties in this regard.  Some participants expressed understanding for the sensitivity of the issue and underlined the need to develop consensus and uphold the principle of gradually moving from CBM to PD at a pace comfortable to all.

31. India proposed to organize a seminar on peacekeeping in the next inter-sessional year with a view to discussing challenges for future and the need for capacity-building to meet those challenges.  A concept paper will be circulated at the ARF SOM this year.

32. India also announced its intention to host an ARF Seminar on Cyber-security at the end of April this year.  Exact dates and agenda will be communicated in due course.

33. The Philippines announced its intention to host an ARF Seminar on the Law of the Sea Convention in the first semester of 2007.  A concept paper will be circulated at the ARF SOM in May this year.

34. The EU announced its intention to host a seminar on energy security, details of which will be communicated in due course.

Future Direction of ARF

35. The Meeting noted that the Republic of Korea is preparing to hold the inaugural meeting of the ARF EEPs in the middle of May or early June this year.  Exact dates and detailed information will be communicated to all the delegations in due course.  It was also suggested that all the ARF participants update their list of EEPs or nominate and register new EEPs in case of those participants who have not yet done so.

36. The Meeting considered the draft Terms of Reference for the Friends of the ARF Chair (FOC) prepared by the Philippines (Annex Z).  Written comments were requested to be submitted to the Philippines as soon as possible.  

37. The Meeting welcomed the draft Concept Paper on “Enhancing Ties between Tracks I and II in the ARF, and between the ARF and Other Regional and International Security Organizations”, prepared by Thailand (Annex AA).  With respect to enhancing ties with Track II, Thailand suggested that priority should at this stage be given to CSCAP and ASEAN-ISIS.  The co-chairs/chairs could, as a trial, be invited to the next ISG on CBM and PD meeting.  The ISG co-chairs would make every effort to ensure that Track II invitees do not raise sensitive issues.  On enhancing ties with regional and international security organizations, the meeting agreed to enhance ties with these organizations that have shared objectives with ARF.  At this stage, Thailand suggested that priority will be placed on relations with the UN, SCO, CICA, NAM, OAS, OSCE.

38. The Meeting noted that Thailand as host country has invited ARF participants to attend the OSCE-Thailand Conference in Bangkok on 25-26 April 2006. 

39. It was also suggested that ARF enhance ties with UN bodies such as the UN Office for Drugs and Crime and the Counter-terrorism Executive Directorate.  The Meeting requested that further comments, if any, be conveyed to Thailand by 10 March 2006.  Thailand would then circulate a revised draft to all ARF participants.  A final draft of the text would be submitted to the ARF SOM in May 2006 for consideration and approval.

40. The ISG agreed to endorse the revised ARF Fund Project Brief, for adoption by the ARF SOM.  The revised ARF Fund Project Brief appears as Annex BB.

Preparations for the next ARF ISG on CBM and PD in 2006-2007

41. The Meeting agreed that the date and venue for the next round of ARF ISG on CBM and PD will be decided during the ARF SOM in Karambunai in May 2006.

Other Matters

42. The ARF Unit briefed participants on updates to its “Matrix of ARF Decisions and Status.”  

43. The ARF Unit also informed the meeting that it has established an ARF network directory on ARF contact points in six areas of ARF cooperation.  ARF countries were requested to view and update, if and when necessary, these databases in the ARFNet.

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