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# 07-057
Mar. 15, 2007
updated 6/18/07
Managing Porous
Borders in Southeast Asia: Building International Cooperation, Good
Governance and Intra-Government Cooperation
How to manage porous
borders in Southeast Asia was the subject of a conference recently
co-hosted by the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace (CICP)
and Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) held Feb. 27 to
Mar. 2 in Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia.
Participants focused on porous borders and the associated transnational
threats, and intra-governmental, regional and international cooperation
required to manage these threats.
They shared information and understanding of various national
perspectives on border control challenges commonly shared by Southeast
Asia countries. Attendees also shared best-practice methods and assets
related to border control and methods of coordinating internal and
regional government and non-government control efforts. In addition,
they looked at how better to interface with all agencies involved.
Participation included 46 representatives from: Cambodia, Thailand,
Vietnam, Laos, Burma, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Philippines and the
United States. International organizations such as the UN’s Office on
Drugs and Crime, UN Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking in the
Greater Mekong sub-region, and the International Organization of
Migration, headquartered in Geneva, also participated.
His Royal Highness, Prince Norodom Sirivudh of the Kingdom of Cambodia
provided opening remarks for the conference. His Royal Highness serves
as Privy Counselor to His Majesty the King of Cambodia and Chairman of
the Board of Directors Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace. He
is a former Deputy Prime Minister and Co-Minister of Interior
In her remarks at the conference’s opening ceremony, U.S. Chargé
d’Affaires Piper A. W. Campbell stated, “The transnational threats and
challenges associated with porous borders cannot be resolved through
unilateral action. Future success requires cooperation
intra-governmentally, regionally and at the international level.” She
noted that this conference offered a “unique opportunity to make a
difference—to exchange perspectives and to share views on the steps
required to improve border systems.”
Other speakers included His Excellency, Mr. Var Kim Hong, Advisor to the
Government on Border Affairs and Chairman of the Cambodian Border
Committee, Dr. Chap Sotharith, CICP Executive Director and Mr. Choombhon
Lertrathakarn, Senior Expert on International Security Affairs, Office
of the Secretary-General of the National Security Council, Thailand.
In addition, Mr. James Martin, First Secretary of the Canadian Embassy
in Bangkok, provided a presentation on false passports. Participants
learned about recent trends in document fraud, and were able to review
dozens of false passports that were being used in transnational
narcotics and human trafficking.
Finally, retired U.S. Ambassador Charles B. Salmon, Jr., also spoke to
the group comparing the region today to when he first began work there
in 1966 emphasizing the enormous progress that had been made. According
to Ambassador Salmon, the successful growth of ASEAN is due primarily to
the energy and hard work of the people of the ASEAN nations. But he also
highlighted the contribution that the United States had made to regional
stability and prosperity which made possible this favorable development.
According to APCSS Deputy Director Army Brig. Gen. (Ret.) James Hirai,
“This meeting provided an opportunity for focused discussions on border
management challenges, opportunities, and sharing of innovative and
practical ways to enhance good management. Based on the level of
participation and lively discussions, we believe this is an important
and timely topic, and that there are shared opinions about the need for
intra- and inter-governmental collaboration. We are grateful for the
hospitality of our co-host, the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and
Peace, and that of the Kingdom of Cambodia, for their support and an
enabling venue. We at APCSS look forward to future opportunities to
participate in regional discussions and to help further cooperation on
security related issues.”
-end-
The APCSS addresses
regional and global security issues, inviting military and civilian
representatives of the United States and 45 Asia-Pacific nations to its
comprehensive program of courses and conferences, both in Hawaii and
throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The Center supports the U.S.
Pacific Command’s objective of developing professional and personal ties
among national security establishments throughout the region. APCSS
focuses on a multilateral and multi-dimensional approach to defining and
addressing regional security issues and concerns. The most beneficial
result is building relationships of trust and confidence among future
leaders and decision-makers within the region.
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