DTIC ADA528715: Good Bridges Make Good Neighbors

5 Pages·0.11 MB·English

by  Defense Technical Information Center

■
JFQ FORUM
Good Bridges
Make Good Neighbors
By W I L L I A M J. P E R R Y
A
small group of U.S. soldiers Most previous Secretaries of De- linked in a considerable and expanding
is serving in a peacekeeping fense looked south and saw only secu- economy. The gross hemispheric prod-
operation in the jungles on rity problems. When I look south uct will exceed $13 trillion by the end
the border between Ecuador today, I find security partners. Just ten of the decade. Thanks to this growth,
and Peru after both nations agreed to years ago, nearly half the nations of per capita income in Latin America is
end their boundary dispute at the ne- the region were ruled by military dicta- expected to increase by a fifth—a suc-
gotiating table rather than on the bat- torships. Now all but Cuba are democ- cess that promises to ease poverty and
tlefield. The agreement raise living standards to enhance politi-
to stop fighting and de- the hemisphere has embarked on a new cal stability. If these trends continue, in-
militarize the border was cluding new agreements on free trade,
era of democracy, peace, and stability
brokered by Brazil which Latin America will be a larger U.S. trad-
along with Argentina, ing partner than Western Europe.
Chile, and the United States provided racies led by elected governments. With such a growing harmony of
troops to monitor the agreement. Nearly every part of the Americas is interests, the Americas have an unpar-
This is only one example of the free. The end of the Cold War offers a alleled opportunity to create an era of
historic opportunities that now exist chance to consolidate these many trust, cooperation, and unity, and a
for the nations of the Western Hemi- democratic gains. With a decline in in- community of free, prosperous, and se-
sphere to build stable bridges of com- surgency and increase in bilateral and cure nations. As President Clinton has
munication, cooperation, and trust multilateral cooperation, peace domi- indicated, “We’ve arrived at a moment
that increase the security of our neigh- nates the region. of very great promise and great hope
borhood. Times have changed. The Negotiation has replaced con- for the Western Hemisphere.”
hemisphere has embarked on a new frontation. All parts of the hemisphere That promise and hope were con-
era of democracy, peace, and stability. are reaching out to one another as even spicuous in December 1994 at the Sum-
traditional enemies become trading mit of the Americas in Miami. This was
partners. In the the first gathering of hemispheric lead-
process, the Ameri- ers in more than a generation and the
cas have been
The Honorable William J. Perry is Secretary of Defense.
40 JFQ / Spring 1996
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1996 2. REPORT TYPE 00-00-1996 to 00-00-1996
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Good Bridges Make Good Neighbors
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National Defense University,Institute for National Strategic Studies,260 REPORT NUMBER
Fifth Ave SW Fort Lesley J. McNair,Washington,DC,20319
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Perry
defense and military links will help ad- Transparency and confidence-
dress threats to peace and stability, building mean being open about de-
promote hemispheric cooperation, and fense plans, programs, and policies.
foster the growth of military institu- They involve sending soldiers to each
tions that serve and benefit democracy. other’s military schools and holding
As the first step in further cooperation, combined training exercises to rein-
the defense leaders of the 33 democra- force cooperation and trust. Openness
tic nations present accepted an invita- is an unusual concept when applied to
tion from the United States to attend defense because the art of war involves
the first Defense Ministerial of the secrecy and surprise while the art of
Americas in Williamsburg, Virginia, peace involves the opposite. Openness
last summer. about defense matters reduces chances
Williamsburg—where Jefferson, that nations will arm and act out of
Washington, and Madison drafted the fear of the unknown. It fosters trust be-
framework for the first democracy in tween the military and public, a key
the hemisphere two centuries ago— ingredient in a democracy.
Bivera) wmaese ttinhge. pAemrfoencgt ssittaete flyo rh tahlliss ahnids tcoorbic- defenTshee c soeocpoenrda taiorena. oWf hdiilsec utshseio hne wmais-
D.
S. Navy (Johnny bttfhrolaee m ssmtkeoewinntoceishr tkse t rotrsoeu me tst eesat-, mfuanndya mmeilnittaarli echs ainn gtehse irne gthioen w aarye tmhaekyi nregl ate
U.
cure democracy to democratic governments
Bridge of the Americas
throughout the
over Panama Canal.
hemisphere. They
set realistic goals and did not endeavor sphere is generally peaceful, sporadic
to resolve the hemisphere’s security security issues do arise. Among them
challenges. Rather, they focused on are illicit drugs that poison communi-
ways in which defense establishments ties, threaten societies, and undermine
could build ties. Such personal rela- national security. Working coopera-
tions are invaluable to communica- tively on such challenges is an effec-
tion, trust, and cooperation among na- tive and efficient use of our resources.
first of exclusively democratically- tions—sometimes even more than In the process, nations and militaries
elected leaders. The participants ex- written agreements or formal relation- can learn from one another and about
plored a number of common inter- ships. one another, as well as how to perform
ests—democracy, trade, technology, While this meeting was held in better in cooperative operations.
and environment—and outlined an ac- and hosted by the United States, it was The third area of attention was
tion plan on the economic and politi- not a “U.S.” event. Instead, it was an the proper role of armed forces in 21st
cal future. Because a meeting of freely American event in the broadest mean- century democracies. In varying de-
elected heads of government would not ing of the term, with North, Central, grees, defense and military establish-
have been possible during the Cold and South America as well as the ments face major changes in reducing
War, the summit was a notable political Caribbean participating equally. In the their forces and reconfiguring for mis-
symbol; but it was also significant for same sense, the meeting did not oper- sions in the next century. In the same
its political substance. The nations ate under a U.S.-imposed agenda. It way the Armed Forces have seen their
agreed that the future would be built was guided by an itinerary collabora- strength and spending reduced over
on strong democratic institutions, sus- tively developed following discussions the last ten years and are reexamining
tainable development, and free trade. among all the nations throughout the their roles and missions in the post-
Moreover, they agreed to develop a Free previous year. This mutually accepted Cold War era, many militaries in the
Trade Area of the Americas to ensure agenda set the right tone because it re- region are making fundamental
that goal. flected a democratic process and changes in force structure, plans, poli-
After the summit, which concen- demonstrated, in a practical sense, the cies, or even in the way they relate to
trated on political and economic mat- best way to secure and advance democ- democratic governments.
ters, the governments also recognized racy in the hemisphere. At the ministerial meeting defense
the need to cooperate on security mat- The agenda consisted of three establishments were urged to share ex-
ters. Creating closer links among de- major areas—transparency and confi- periences and ideas on how to ap-
fense and military establishments and dence building, defense cooperation, proach change and forge stronger ties
committing to uphold the democratic and the role of the military in democ-
process will bolster democracy, stabil- ratic societies. Each is important to
ity, and economic reform. Specifically, post-Cold War hemispheric security.
Spring 1996 / JFQ 41
■
JFQ FORUM
between civilian and military institu- Secretary Perry In the area of
tions. Just as the latter learn more briefing the press on defense coopera-
about serving in a democracy, civilian July 26,1995. tion, we are build-
expertise is required in defense and ing on significant
military matters. Similarly, armed contributions which the region has
forces might contribute to national de- made to international peacekeeping.
velopment in areas such as infrastruc- For example, 20 countries from this
ture and public works, functioning like hemisphere support 15 of the 16 cur-
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and rent U.N. peace operations around the
National Guard. As agreed in Miami world. Forces have served together to
both civilians and the military must restore order in both El Salvador and
protect human rights, and military Haiti. Regional militaries have com-
training can be adapted to reflect that. bined for humanitarian hurricane re-
Participants at the Williamsburg lief efforts. U.S. Reserve forces are get-
meeting accomplished more than ting hands-on training by working
reaching an agreement on a common with Latin American militaries to build
agenda. As Jefferson outlined the prin- roads, schools, and wells in rural areas.
ctuiprileess aogfo a, tnheew d edfeemnsoec rleaacdye rtsw oof ctehnis- C. Stikkel) Tcihsees hheemlpi snpahveirees’ sc oaonpneuraatl eU wnhitiales oetxheerr-
hguemidies prhegeiroe noaul tlsienceudr istiyx rperlainticoipnlsehs iptos D (Helene mityu lttoil ajtoeirnal teoxgeertchiseers ienx ppaenadc eokuere paibnilg-
O
into the next century which they D and counterdrug missions and build
called the Williamsburg principles: interoperability.
Pursuant to the Williamsburg
■ the preservation of democracy as
the basis for mutual security country and world about the kind of agreements, there will be a full range
■ the critical role of the military in forces we are building, the rationale for of combined exercises. Also, Argentina
supporting and defending sovereign demo- them, and the amount being spent on and Canada offered to open more
cratic states those forces. places in their peacekeeping training
■ the respect of the military for demo- Canada also presented its national centers to students from other coun-
cratic authority, constitutional law, and defense policy document. And all par- tries, and the United States proposed
human rights
ticipants discussed a variety of infor- expanding education for civilians in
■ the spread of openness in discussing
mation-sharing measures, such as stan- national security studies.
defense programs, policies, and budgets
dardized reporting to the United Already this year in Santiago, gov-
■ the resolution of disputes through
Nations on defense expenditures, full ernments of the hemisphere reached
negotiated settlements—not military ac-
tions participation in the U.N. Register of accord on military confidence-building
■ the need for greater cooperation in Conventional Arms, and sharing these and transparency measures. For exam-
peacekeeping and the fight against nar- reports with the Organization of Amer- ple, they agreed to give advance notice
coterrorists. ican States. of military exercises, exchange infor-
There have also been positive re- mation on defense policies and doc-
These principles are truly revolu-
sults from implementing the commit- trine, invite observers from other na-
tionary since they represent consensus
ment at Williamsburg to redress hemi- tions to exercises, and develop border
and commitment on the part of 33 na-
spheric conflicts through negotiation. communications. The U.S. Southern
tions to the cause of peace and democ-
A coalition headed by the United Command and the Inter-American In-
racy in the hemisphere. That unity of
States and joined by many neighbors stitute of Human Rights co-hosted a
purpose would not have been possible
of Haiti worked with the United Na- conference on human rights training
ten years ago. The precepts are all the
tions to create a stable environment in February 1996, which resulted from
more revolutionary because they are
for the safe return of its democrati- discussions in Williamsburg. The guar-
already being implemented.
cally-elected president and conducting antor nations to the Ecuador and Peru
At the meeting, the United States
national elections. And the collabora- peace process agreed to extend their
demonstrated its commitment to
tion among Argentina, Brazil, Chile, border presence through June 1996.
openness in defense and security mat-
and the United States played a critical
ters by announcing a policy of notify-
role in the agreement between Ecuador
ing all democratic governments in this
hemisphere before holding significant and Peru to demilitarize their border. With the support of U.S. Southern Command,
multilateral military exercises in the re- That agreement and Operation Sup- a special Spanish-language edition of this
gion. To further underscore the resolve port Democracy in Haiti set a signifi- JFQ Forum on “The Security of the Americas”
for openness, I distributed copies of cant precedent: peacekeeping in the is being published simultaneously for distribution
the 1995 Department of Defense An- Americas in support of conflict resolu- by U.S. Military Group commanders throughout
nual Report to the President and the Con- tion and democracy is more than a the region.
principle—it is a reality.
gress. This document informs the
42 JFQ / Spring 1996
Perry
The United States has also partic-
ipated in improved bilateral activities
that serve as a model for cooperation.
In October 1995 at the invitation of the
Mexican minister of defense, I became
the first Secretary of Defense to make
an official visit to that country. Since
the United States and Mexico have de-
veloped closer economic ties under the
North American Free Trade Agreement
and closer political ties with President
Clinton’s visit to Mexico, this was an-
other opportunity to build a new bilat-
eral security relationship based on
openness, trust, and cooperation.
The U.S.-Mexican security rela-
tionship is already underway in several
areas, particularly in disrupting narco-
trafficking. Beyond that, military-to-
military bonds are growing as leaders
build working relationships; our navies
have begun staff talks; airborne forces Ward)
have jumped out of each other’s air- D.
craft; U.S. officers teach English at D (R.
O
Mexican military schools, while Mexi- D
can officers teach Spanish at U.S. facili- Venezuelan airborne
ties; and the carrier USS Kittyhawk re- troops.
cently received a warm welcome on a The nations of the hemisphere ministerial later
port call to Acapulco. can still do much more. To ensure that this year, and de-
Such bilateral activities will erect a we do, the defense ministers decided at fense leaders across the hemisphere are
new bridge between Washington and Williamsburg to develop a process for now shaping the agenda for it.
Mexico City. The United States already working together. Just as James Madi- If these activities continue, the de-
engages in similar activities with many son created a democratic process for fense establishments of the Western
nations in the hemisphere, including a our Republic by drafting the U.S. Con- Hemisphere may well fulfill the dream
stitution, the hemispheric de- of the great Latin American liberator,
the challenge ahead is to transform fense leaders developed a Simon Bolivar, who spoke of the Amer-
process to achieve the six icas becoming the greatest region on
common interests into concrete
Williamsburg principles, a earth: “...not so much by virtue of
activities and achievements mechanism the Argentine their area or their wealth, but by their
minister fittingly dubbed the freedom.” The United States has a
“Williamsburg process.” This tremendous stake in Bolivar’s dream
bilateral working group with Argentina procedure is based on dialogue and becoming reality and a major opportu-
and, more recently, with Chile. In consensus-building and techniques to nity to advance it by building bridges
March 1996, I became the first Secre- energize and consolidate democracies, with neighbors throughout the Ameri-
tary of Defense to visit Venezuela. I am and extends from formal agreements cas. The poet Robert Frost suggested
encouraging every hemispheric nation to personal relationships. that “Good fences make good neigh-
to fully participate in a range of activi- The Defense Ministerial of the bors,” but this does not always hold
ties, such as more officer exchanges, Americas laid a foundation for inter- true. Instead, when neighbors share
more multilateral peacekeeping train- hemispheric defense cooperation. The common ideals and concerns, and
ing and exercises, and more coopera- challenge ahead is to build on that and work together to achieve goals, it is
tion on other real-world missions transform good intentions, good will, good bridges that usually make good
(such as disaster relief). Nations should and common interests into concrete neighbors. JFQ
develop more defense and military activities and achievements. The
contacts, broader dialogue, and openly Williamsburg principles must be
share information on everything from imbedded in security relationships
defense plans, policies, and priorities throughout the hemisphere. Turning
to specific missions. them into action will require consis-
tent dialogue and frequent meetings.
Argentina volunteered to host the next
Spring 1996 / JFQ 43