ARF WORKSHOP 21-22 JUNE 2005 ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM'S SECURITY CONCEPTS AND PERCEPTIONS Overall, Brunei Darussalam security assessment remains peaceful and stable. However, the range of new security challenges which have emerged particularly in the region could pose a considerable threat that will affect our progress and to some degree could devastate our economy, peace and stability. The security and prosperity of Brunei Darussalam as stated in the Brunei Darussalam's Defence White Paper 2004 lies on three pillars of its national policy. There are (i) the cohesion and stability of the nation guided by the MIB philosophy; (ii) A stable regional environment in which its membership of ASEAN provides it to pursue national goals free from interference; and (Hi) the maintenance of its defence capabilities including its armed forces to preserve the nation's sovereignty, protection of its territorial integrity and interests, and secure freedom and independence. In the presence of porous borders, non-conventional threat of trans-national issue remains the main security threat to Brunei Darussalam. The immediate concerns lies in the vulnerability of Brunei's maritime zone to threats which include piracy, arms smuggling, illicit drug and human trafficking, money laundering and terrorism. Drugs and arms trafficking, human trafficking and influx of illegal immigrants can have substantiate social impacts and may foster armed dissent or insurgency. Piracy at sea and illegal fishing on the other hand can undermine national economies, disrupt exports and deter investment. The overlapping claims over the South China Sea Islands are viewed as a complex issue which has the potential to disrupt peace, security and stability in the region. Nevertheless significant progress has been made through the adoption of the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea between ASEAN and China, which is important to the overall handling of the dispute Moreover, while acknowledging that defence acquisition programme may be desirable against the backdrop of the security uncertainty, Brunei Darussalam is of the view that any escalation of defence acquisition including military development in the region will develop into regional arms race that
ARF WORKSHOP 21-22 JUNE 2005 ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA could have some implication to national and regional security. But Brunei Darussalam also acknowledged that some procurement are related to force modernisation programme of some nations. Natural disaster iuch as the 2004 Tsunami could also undermine the nation's security and stability as it can easily strike without warning at any time and at any place. We also believe that the attitude of complacency and denial need to be eliminated as it helps to prepare for facing any eventualities in the future. Sufficient and effective system such as the establishment of the early warning jsystem will help to prepare and coordinate in time of crisis occur. Besides this, problems related to health such as SARS and Avian Flu are also consider as a threat to Brunei Darussalam and can be costly in terms of losses to human life and properties. Continuous efforits have been done by Brunei Darussalam bilaterally, regionally and muitilaterally to respond to the various security threats. One of them is through ASEAN Regional Forum, which is the only prime forum on security issues. Brunei Darussalam will continue building its capability in order to respond effectively to a variety of security situation and any eventualities in securing and defending the country's territory, sovereignty, independence and!the people, including that of from internal threats. -2-
ASEAN Regional Forum Evolving Changes in the Security Perceptions of the ART Countries 21-22 June 2005 CANADA Thank you Mr. Co-Chair. In our new security environment, the expanding international commitment to the principles of human rights, democracy and the rule of law is the most hopeful movement. It promises unprecedented levels of wealth, security and quality of life. Yet challenges remain. Globally, and in our region, terrorism and transnational crime, including smuggling of migrants and trafficking in people and drugs, are increasingly threatening our security and livelihood. There is continued elevated concern regarding the need to ensure that weapons of mass destruction do not spread to states or terrorists and a need to be vigilant, including hi the Asia-Pacific region, about technology transfer, the continued rise in the number of indigenous development programs and new exporters and significant advancements in some national missile programs. The ongoing tension over the DPRK's nuclear weapons programs and their delay in returning to the 6 Party Talks is of particular concern. Conflict and instability also continue to affect other countries of the region, including in Burma where the National Convention underway continues to be fatally flawed by undemocratic procedures. The proliferation and flow of small arms and light weapons in the region continue to be the weapons of choice in current armed conflict, killing an estimated 500,000 people a year in conflict situations in the world and represent a major threat to human, regional and global security. Anti-personnel landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW) remain a danger to people and a constraint on economic development, especially agriculture. The spread of infectious diseases, as we have seen with SARS and the Avian flu, poses a significant risk to both the physical and economic health of the world's citizens.
To better meet tjhe need of responding quickly to international crises, Canada will establish an ongoing Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force, to gauge the extent of crises and consolidate the Government's response. Building on Canada "whole-of- Government approach", the Task Force will draw together expertise across government and will work closely with counterpart task forces now being formed by partner countries. Canada is also committing $100 million annually over five years to a Canadian Peace and Security Fund. The Fund will support urgent contributions to crisis response operations, as well as measures to ensure lasting human security such as the eradication of anti-personnel mines. Canada will also continue to promote international efforts to counteract terrorist organizations and their support networks. The G8, NATO and the UN are developing additional counter-terrorism capabilities, and we will push for the full implementation of the international conventions on terrorism, in particular to deny financing to terrorist organizations. We were pleased to co-chair with Thailand the last ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime last April. We look forward to working with all ARF members to implement the recommendations that came out of this meeting on document integrity and information sharing. The first line of defence in countering terrorist recruitment is the promotion of accountable, democratic governments that respect human rights, allow for peaceful dissent, take action to fulfill the aspirations of their people and respect diversity. The promotion of human rights and democracy will remain a key Canadian objective. Canada is also committed to a robust global non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament (NJACD) architecture as an essential framework for international peace and security, including the progressive reduction of nuclear weapons and the elimination of other weapons of mass destruction (WMD), limitations or bans on excessively harmful or indiscriminate Weapons and efforts to control the transfer of missiles and missile technologies. We regret that the 2006 NPT Review Conference was unable to reach a consensus. But Canada will continue to play a major role within the international community to strengthen regional and multilateral non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament norms and mechanisms. The forthcoming ARF seminar on export licensing which we will co-host with Singapore is one example of how Canada seeks to promote practical cooperation to address these threats. -3-
The defence of Canada remains the principal priority, with the Canadian Forces continuing to serve Canadians in the areas of search and rescue, disaster relief and support to other government departments such as the Fisheries and Environment departments. The Canadian Forces will also continue to contribute to the Government's overall strategy to protect Canadians against the threat of terrorism, by working more closely with civil authorities at the federal, provincial and local levels. At the same time, the Canadian Forces will increase their efforts to ensure the sovereignty and security of our territory, airspace and maritime approaches, including in the Arctic; and improve the gathering, analyzing, integrating and use of information gamed from a combination of maritime, land, air and space surveillance systems. Internationally, the Canadian Forces will remain capable of participating in a wide range of operations. These will include complex peace support and stabilization missions, maritime interdiction operations, traditional peacekeeping and observer operations, humanitarian assistance missions, and evacuation operations to assist Canadians in countries threatened by imminent conflict and turmoil. To achieve these goals, the Canadian Budget provides for 1 3 billions $ on 5 years to: increase the Canadian Forces Personnel by 5,000 members and the Reserve Personnel by 3,000 members, and increase the Operational Budget of the Forces. is is-aa ambitiotts-pian. But if we work with our partners, through coordinated and complementary diplomatic, development and security cooperation efforts, I am confident that Canada can contribute to building a more secure world. It is only through cooperative efforts that real progress will be effected at the global level. We look forward to increased cooperation on peace and security within the ARF. Thank you Mr. Co-Chair. -5-
The defence of Canada remains the principal priority, with the Canadian Forces continuing to serve Canadians in the areas of search and rescue, disaster relief and support to other government departments such as the Fisheries and Environment departments. The Canadian Forces will also continue to contribute to the Government's overall strategy to protect Canadians against the threat of terrorism, by working more closely with civil authorities at the federal, provincial and local levels. At the same tune, the Canadian Forces will increase their efforts to ensure the sovereignty and security of our territory, airspace and maritime approaches, including in the Arctic; and improve the gathering, analyzing, integrating and use of information gained from a combination of maritime, land, air and space surveillance systems. Internationally, the Canadian Forces will remain capable of participating in a wide range of operations. These will include complex peace support and stabilization missions, maritime interdiction operations, traditional peacekeeping and observer operations, humanitarian assistance missions, and evacuation operations to assist Canadians in countries threatened by imminent conflict and turmoil. To achieve these goals, the Canadian Budget provides for 13 billions $ on 5 years to: increase the Canadian Forces Personnel by 5,000 members and the Reserve Personnel by 3,000 members, and r increase the Operational Budget of the Forces. "This is-aa ambitiou^pian. But if we work with our partners, through coordinated and complementary diplomatic, development and security cooperation efforts, I am confident that Canada can contribute to building a more secure world. It is only through cooperative efforts that real progress will be effected at the global level. We look forward to increased cooperation on peace and security within the ARF. Thank you Mr. Co-Chair. -5-