Malaysia's defense minister today proposed a regional humanitarian relief center as part of an Asian "security village," while his Australian counterpart warned that East Timor could become a haven for terrorists if the nation slides into civil war.
The ministers were speaking on the final day of the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual gathering of high level defense officials to address regional security.
US Defense Secretary Donald H Rumsfeld was among the keynote speakers, many of whom focused on the need for more cooperation in dealing with common threats and concerns. Despite their common concerns, deep divisions among nations were evident as Pakistan's Gen Ehsan ul-Haq, the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, accused India of starting the nuclear arms race in South Asia.
He was challenged by an Indian general who questioned Pakistan's democratic credentials but Haq sidestepped the issue.
Australian Defense Minister Brendan Nelson also stressed that the region's nations were responsible for its security. Singapore's Defense Minister Teo Chee Hean noted that globalization had created the "pressing need" for countries to pool knowledge and ideas on enhance their collective security.
Released on: Jun 5, 2006
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