In some cases, a mixed civilian and military response is required, which each country carries out in accordance with its own national experience. More often today, our response to these new security challenges is marshaled by civilian authorities rather than the military. These modern transnational threats are cross-cutting problems that require multi-faceted responses by different national organizations, depending on their nature and severity. Indeed, these threats are being addressed today at the bilateral, sub-regional, regional and international levels. These challenges require a multilateral response, since frequently no one state can confront them alone. The traditional and non-traditional threats the region faces require coordinated, flexible, cooperative and multilateral responses.įrom our perspective, transnational security challenges in the region include inter alia, terrorism, narcotics trafficking, natural disasters, environmental problems, organized crime, and corruption. Today, the traditional definition of defense and security has evolved into a multidimensional concept that includes military, political, economic, social, and geographic facets. The Summit-mandated Conference must assess and formally recognize the rich experiences and diverse achievements we have made to address security and defense in the hemisphere since 1947. Our experience at the OAS since September 11 in mobilizing hemispheric support and responses to fight terrorism under the OAS Charter and the Rio Treaty proves that the current hemispheric security structure can function well.

We have several important opportunities in the coming months to advance the Summit-mandated Conference through major contributions from several key future hemispheric meetings – the Regular Sessions of CICTE in January 2002, the Justice Ministerial in March, the Security of Small Island States Conference in June, the Defense Ministerial of the Americas in November, and a Confidence and Security-Building Measures Experts Meeting during the course of the year. Today, we call on the OAS to advance its timetable on this matter, with the objective of holding the Summit-mandated conference hopefully by the end of next year. We must accelerate our work and move ahead in a manner which underlines the seriousness we attach to this issue and to the accomplishment of the preparatory tasks laid out in the Summit Plan of Action. We all recognize that the events of September 11 have dramatically affected the way we look at the whole range of issues that encompass 'hemispheric security.' My delegation strongly agrees with the calls to advance the date of the conference. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11 and the strong hemispheric actions taken under the OAS Charter and Rio Treaty, we have heard calls for accelerating the Summit-mandated Conference. Our heads of government have challenged us to 'revitalize and strengthen the institutions of the Inter-American system related to the various aspects of hemispheric security.' Today, we begin a deliberate preparatory process that will culminate in a Special Conference on Security within the framework of the OAS. Statement Before the Preparatory Meeting for the Summit-Mandated Conference on Security Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS) You are in: Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security > Bureau of Political-Military Affairs > Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Releases > Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Remarks > 2001 Hemispheric Security In The 21st Century Roger F.

Define hemispheric defense zone