June 4th 2002
By Jake Lloyd-Smith
As defence ministers from around the region returned to their capitals yesterday after an inaugural meeting in Singapore, many urged that the so -called "Shangri-La Dialogue" become a fixed part of the annual calendar.
The comments suggest that the meeting will be repeated next year and go on to form an important part of the institutional debate on Asia's security issues, together with the Asean Regional Forum (ARF).
Singapore Defence Minister Tony Tan Keng Yam said on the sidelines of the Asia Security Conference that ministers "shared the view that such regular exchanges are important to address the multi-faceted and transnational character of current security challenges".
Australian Defence Minister Robert Hill said the event "had strengthened regional co-operation on defence and security issues, and continuing dialogue was worthwhile".
Ministers and security officials from 22 countries wrapped up three days of wide-ranging talks at Singapore's Shangri-La Hotel on Sunday.
The unprecedented gathering was organised by the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies and was designed to fill a gap in the region's diplomatic calendar.
Participants included ministers from India, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. They were joined by US Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, British Defence Minister Geoff Hoon and the director-general of China's Foreign Affairs Bureau, Major-General Zhan Maohai.
Delegates discussed terrorism, cross-strait relations and weapons non -proliferation. They also addressed tensions in South Asia between Pakistan and India.
Held since 1994, the ARF brings together foreign ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, plus representatives of its 10 dialogue partners: the US, Russia, the European Union, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, China, South Korea and New Zealand.
This year's forum will be held in Brunei next month.
