23 October 2001

Adm. Blair on Regional Security, Fight Against Terrorism

(The following editorial by Admiral Dennis Blair was released by the Office of the U.S. Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Command (CINCPAC) on October 23, 2001. No republication restrictions.)

(The author is Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Command.)

Families from 78 nations lost loved ones in the attacks on the World Trade Center. Under the blue skies and bright sunshine of 11 September, the murky threat that terrorists and criminals pose to civilization became crystal clear. Learning from this tragedy, we need to enhance regional security cooperation to deal with 21st century threats.

Over the years, the international community watched Al Qa'eda grow. It spread its cancer to over 60 countries, encouraging young men to come to Afghanistan for training in terrorist techniques. It attacked the World Trade Center and U.S. embassies in Africa with truck bombs, and drove a boat bomb into the USS COLE. It sent its spawn to Chechnya, Central Asia, Xinyang, and the Kashmir. It sent followers to proselytize and organize in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, and to develop connections with like-minded organizations around the world. It spread its financial network across the globe.

Past attacks were met with individual national action and some regional cooperation. The U.S. increased protection for its embassies and its armed forces. China, Russia and Central Asian nations formed the Shanghai Cooperative Forum. The U.S. and its allies increased efforts to develop capabilities to manage the consequences of biological and chemical attacks, such as those conducted by Aum Shinrikyo in Japan. Malaysia and the Philippines increase cooperation on control of adjacent seas. On 11 September we realized how inadequate our response had been.

Now is the time to organize for the future. Following the attack on the World Trade Towers and the Pentagon, all Asia-Pacific nations, including North Korea, condemned the attack and strengthened measures to protect Americans in their countries. Japan initiated legislation to allow its armed forces to support the campaign. The Republic of Korea offered forces. Australia invoked the ANZUS treaty and the Philippines invoked the Mutual Defense Treaty. Canada and New Zealand offered forces. Singapore, Thailand and other Southeast Asian nations provided over flight and other forms of support. India offered a wide range of help, and many other nations offered assistance. China is sharing information and discussing other support measures. Sharing information on terrorist activities has improved significantly.

Just as the events in East Timor demonstrated the capability for Asia-Pacific nations to come together in peace operations, the events of 11 September demonstrate the capability of Asia-Pacific nations to come together to root out terrorism and lawlessness. Peace operations in East Timor have provided security for two years, but must be sustained until an enduring security structure is in place. Similarly, the campaign against Al Qa'eda will be successful. However, actions taken in response to crisis and tragedy are only the beginning. Sustained action based upon shared interests in the key to long-term security and peaceful development.

Today, Al Qa'eda and Abu Sayyaf are on the run. Our security forces need to keep up the pressure to ensure that they can never reach a sanctuary to build their network and plan future attacks. Defeating these organizations will not end terrorism. Remnants and new organizations will grow over time, given the chance. We need to sustain the initiative, isolate terrorist cells, and root them out.

Transnational terrorists thrive in sanctuaries of lawlessness, exploit the globalization of transportation, information and finance, and use international boundaries as roadblocks to effective law enforcement. We see evidence of connections among terrorists, drug lords, money launderers, and organized crime, but our understanding is poor. Defeating international terrorism requires expanded use of financial measures to stop their flow of funds; enhanced cooperation on customs, immigration, and aviation safety standards; enhanced information sharing on international movement of suspected terrorists and members of groups that advocate violence; and enhanced cooperation among law enforcement and security forces to combat terrorism.

Over the past two years, the armed forces in the Asia-Pacific region have taken measures to improve regional readiness for multilateral operations. Many have participated in conferences, workshops and exercises to develop skills for a wide range of missions from humanitarian assistance, to peace operations in complex contingencies, to countering security challenges presented by piracy, drug trafficking and terrorism. These efforts have laid the foundation for effective coalition operations. We now need to apply the skills we have developed to combating terrorism.

The campaign will involve many efforts. Many nations have offered to participate in a Malacca Straits patrol to ensure that terrorists cannot attack shipping there. Many nations are sharing information and following leads to ferret out terrorist cells, training camps and finances. The U.S. is increasing efforts to help the Philippines vanquish the Abu Sayyaf Group and has increased dialogue with key Asia-Pacific nations on measures to increase the capability of their armed forces and security services to deal with terrorists. Some measures will be temporary. However, now is the time to establish enduring security arrangements among Asia-Pacific nations to address the security challenges of the 21st century.

Unfortunately, it takes tragedies like the events of 11 September to change thresholds for effective action. For years we have been speaking of shared interests in countering 21st century challenges such as transnational terrorism, drug trafficking and piracy, and how no nation can effectively deal with these challenges alone. We now clearly see the effects of allowing traditional security approaches and historic animosities to stand in the way of serious cooperation on shared interests. If the Asia-Pacific nations grasp this opportunity to work together, we will ensure the future safety and security of our citizens and foster peaceful development in the region.