Concerns over militarisation of Pacific

The Pacific Concerns Resource Centre (PCRC) has issued a call to all 
members of the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific (NFIP) Movement to 
oppose a new wave of militarisation in the region, from both internal and 
external forces.

(Many Pacific peoples are unaware of the militarisation of their islands, 
and largely unaware of the dangers it poses to the social, economic, 
political, environmental and cultural structures of the Pacific.

Too often reports of military budgets, training and collaboration, testing, 
recruitment and other activities pass unnoticed. Too often by our silence, 
we have accepted the militarisation of the region as normal), the appeal 
says.

The following are some of the major military activities and concerns 
observed in the Pacific:

* US National Missile Defence system being tested in Kwajalein;

* increased access and use of guns among civilians;

* a growing culture of militarisation in the Pacific where indigenous 
peoples use arms against each other a means of solving disputes;

* the glorifying of militarism in mass media and other mediums;

* French, New Zealand and Australian army military exercises;

* increases in military budgets in a number of countries and similar 
developments.

America's top Pacific admiral has side-stepped concern whether one of the 
consequences of Washington's planned missile defence systems would be 
radioactive fall-out on Pacific nations. The US Navy's Pacific Commander, 
Admiral Dennis Blair was addressing the Pacific Leaders' Conference in 
Hawaii on the strategic situation in the region.

Nauru's ambassador to the United Nations, Vince Clodumar, said his country 
was concerned that the so-called National Missile Defence System would 
allow the US to shoot down incoming ballistic missiles as far away from 
America as possible.

Mr Clodumar said the interception point in some cases could be over the 
north Pacific and it was certainly not in the best interests of the region. 
He questioned whether the problem was among the reasons why the United 
States had not signed the protocols of the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone 
Treaty.

Admiral Blair declined to debate the issue. The Pacific Concerns Resource 
Centre is undertaking an intensive study into all aspects of militarisation 
in the Pacific and wants all NFIP affiliates and partner organisations to 
monitor, compile and send information on the militarisation of the Pacific 
to Losena Tubanavau-Salabula Fax: (679) 304 755; E-mail: pcrc@is.com.fj