Security analysts from Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines (ROP), South Korea (ROK), Taiwan (ROC), Vietnam, and the USA met on Guam in the U.S. Mariana Islands, and discussed with candor their common and individual security perceptions.
The discussions were aided by presentations from US military analysts and planners, as well as by a first hand tour of local military installations with briefings from base commanders.
The historical nature of the Roundtable was uniformly remarked upon. For Vietnam, this was the first ever event of its kind attended by its representative. For Taiwan, gratitude was expressed for being invited, as it was a rare opportunity to participate in discussions of this nature with its neighbors. For Korean and Japanese interests, the discussions were frank yet friendly, unattended by home country political agenda.
For all of them, this was the first time US representatives attended such a multinational discussion with Asia Pacific nation experts, hosted by US interests on US soil in Asia.
Many of the experts, even the seasoned ones, noted that this was their first time to visit Guam, and were very much impressed by the facilities and hospitality, which made for productive exchange of views, discussion and understanding. There was universal agreement that Guam, located as it is in the middle of the Western Pacific, provides an ideal and conducive place for discussion between themselves, and with the United States government. They all expressed a keen desire to repeat and expand the experience.
These comments were all the more remarkable for the fact that GUASA was unable to afford payments to any of the participants. The benefit they saw, and realized, in the forum and discussion was professional, not monetary.
GUASA again expresses its great honor and satisfaction to have played host to such an illustrious, hard working and dedicated collection of renowned and rising national experts of the region.
GUASA will post written presentation papers and power point materials as they are made available for public distribution. We hope to present a Final Report of GUASA Roundtable 2 by early in the New Year 2015, and to formally present it to the leaders of the USA in Washington, D.C. soon thereafter.
Other reading:
National security experts attend roundtable session
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