Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior National Security Officers (Appsno)

ASIA-PACIFIC PROGRAMME FOR SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICERS (APPSNO) 14 - 20 JANUARY 2007 THE SENTOSA RESORT AND SPA, SINGAPORE ASIA-PACIFIC PROGRAMME FOR SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICERS (APPSNO) REPORT ON A CONFERENCE ORGANIZED BY THE NATIONAL SECURITY COORDINATION SECRETARIAT (NSCS) AT THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE, SINGAPORE AND THE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY (CENS) AT THE S. RAJARATNAM SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (RSIS), NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, SINGAPORE 14 - 20 JANUARY 2007 THE SENTOSA RESORT AND SPA, SINGAPORE OPENING REMARKS National Security Officers (APPSNO). Jointly organized by the Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS) – a centre within RSIS – and the National Security Coordination Secretariat (NSCS) of the Prime Minister’s Office, APPSNO brings together senior national security officers from the Asia-Pacific and beyond to network and learn from one another through inter- active programmes. The traditional concept of ‘national security’ defined as homeland security – the internal security of the state – is currently being challenged by the emergence of diverse transnational threats, requiring a whole-of-government approach to national security. In this increasingly interconnected world where goods, people MR. BARRY DESKER, DEAN OF RSIS, WELCOMING THE as well as ideas move at an unprecedented pace, cooperation PARTICIPANTS. between states is more necessary than ever. Dean Desker asserted that a key objective of APPSNO is to Mr. Barry Desker, Dean of the S. Rajaratnam School of promote such cooperation and interaction through the facilitation International Studies (RSIS), warmly welcomed the guests and of the exchange of views and deliberation of important participants to the inaugural Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior contemporary issues within the rubric of national security. OPENING ADDRESS network. By franchising its global brand of terror, Al Qaeda and its local affiliates are well-positioned to exploit local conflicts and local grievances, distort their ideological significance and expand their sphere of terrorist activity. For example, the Jemaah Islamiyah has shown its capacity to operate across national borders and inflict horrific casualties despite having its cells disrupted and some of its personnel on the run. In the face of transnational terrorist threats, it is not possible for any single country to win this fight on its own. While individual countries can take measures to harden themselves as targets and prepare for the fallout from an attack, intelligence cooperation between security forces from different countries DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER PROFESSOR S JAYAKUMAR are critical in preventing terrorist attacks and crippling DELIVERING THE OPENING ADDRESS. terrorist groups. Although security agencies around the world have been Professor S Jayakumar, Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating successful in disrupting terrorist operations, the threat is by Minister for National Security and Minister for Law, delivered no means extinguished due to the determination of the terrorists the opening speech. He pointed out that by bringing together who are in it for the long haul. The constantly evolving nature academics and government agencies from different countries of terrorism forces nations to remain vigilant and resilient. to deliberate on national security challenges, APPSNO provides opportunities for its participants to broaden their mindsets Hence the exchange of intelligence, ideas and best practices and perspectives. has to be an on-going process. To this end, APPSNO is designed to bring together senior national security officers in a multi- International cooperation is a key element in the fight against national, multi-cultural environment so that a shared terrorism. According to Professor Jayakumar, the 9/11 attacks understanding in the common fight against terrorism can have highlighted the lethality and devastation of a global terror be forged. 02 ASIA-PACIFIC PROGRAMME FOR SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICERS (APPSNO) SESSION I: THE CHALLENGE OF HOMELAND SECURITY IN THE 21ST CENTURY Fourth, Ervin pointed out that antiquated mindsets among officers in the different security agencies in the country constitute a challenge for national security. He explained that these agencies were spending more time squabbling among themselves than addressing the problems related to national security. For instance, in response to the events of Sept 11, little is being done to coordinate efforts of these agencies. It was only after the formation of the Department of Homeland Security that all the 23 relevant organizations were brought together to address concerns about national security. He suggested that despite the formation of this department, a single international organization is needed to counter terrorism effectively. Moreover, as the US government tends to draw a CLARK ERVIN IDENTIFYING THE CHALLENGES TO dangerous distinction between “national” and “homeland NATIONAL SECURITY. security” and accord priority to the former, the US Congress is not willing to spend on homeland security. He also felt that it is important for homeland security agencies to share Clark Ervin focused the scope of his talk to addressing seven information and go beyond classified information to use data challenges to national security. The first challenge was the from newspapers and magazines, because information which nature of terrorism. He felt it is impossible for any country to is not classified can also be important. prepare for a terrorist attack as contemporary terrorism is unpredictable. The threats are also global in nature and so Fifth, although there is still a large security gap that exists in countries must work together to overcome the threat. He the US after 9/11, he believes that the US is a safer place right described the current threat of terrorism as existential in nature, now than before. For instance, thousands of air marshals are underscoring the intention of the perpetrators to maximize the now deployed to ensure the security of passengers on board number of deaths, injure as many people as possible and planes. However, he admitted that it is not difficult for terrorists disrupt their way of life by sacrificing their own lives for what to sneak bombs into various custom checkpoints in 21 airports they believe is a divine cause. A dilemma facing the intelligence around the country. He added that as little as only 6% of community is the challenge of negotiating with the terrorists container cargo coming into the US are inspected. as these individuals are not driven by rationality and logic. He contrasted this with the experience of dealing with the Sixth, he feels that the current measures taken to ensure communists who had a clearer agenda and a desire to ensure national security are defensive in nature rather then offensive that a stable world order was maintained. Ervin argued that with little done to prevent the spread of terrorism. He feels that the international community’s success in eliminating Al-Qaeda the American security agencies are not capturing or killing is significant but limited since Al-Qaeda has managed to regroup terrorists faster then the terrorists’ ability to recruit new in recent times. members. He called for an official strategy to stop the flow and creation of terrorist. While, he supported the spread of Second, he commented that the current odds favor terrorists. democracy in the Muslim World as a strategy to counter He believed that these terrorists are able to take refuge in failed terrorism, he also believes that democracy must be allowed to states like Pakistan, Iraq and Somalia. In addition, given the grow organically. A failure to do this will result in the unpopularity of the American government after the Iraq War, strengthening of radicals. On the economic front, he proposed more terrorist attacks in the future are likely. He also admitted that the world economy must result in visible and tangible that it is difficult for the United States to prevent terrorism on improvements to people’s lives. On the socio-cultural front, he communication links due to the extensive nature of these links believes that the American government must engage in dialogue in the US. with the Muslim World and encourage educational reforms. Third, he observed that governments are now increasingly Lastly, he pointed to the need for global support in the US’ faced with the issue of striking a balance between enforcing effort to protect its national security. He said that more needed security and maintaining civil liberties. While, most people do to be done to ease the Arab-Israeli conflict. The US must also not mind that certain aspects of their civil liberties are intruded begin to engage Iran and Syria. He encouraged international upon and even at times sacrificed for the sake of security, cooperation and sharing of information to protect national certain extreme measures taken by the authorities such as the security. tracking of every single call in the US and rounding up American Arabs for interrogation irritate the larger community, as well as alienate the Arab-Muslim community at the time when their cooperation is most needed. ASIA-PACIFIC PROGRAMME FOR SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICERS (APPSNO) 03 PANEL DISCUSSION I: TRENDS IN TRANSNATIONAL TERRORISM The current threat points to the growth of a robust terrorist organization, especially so in Southeast Asian countries where Abu Bakar Bashir, the spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamyiah (JI), is still on the loose. The

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