Alternative security approaches in the South Pacific
Titel:
Alternative security approaches in the South Pacific
Auteur:
Hamel-Green, Michael
Verschenen in:
Global change peace and security
Paginering:
Jaargang 9 (1997) nr. 2 pagina's 19-38
Jaar:
1997
Inhoud:
Island peoples in the South Pacific region face a multidimensional array of threats in the Post Cold War area, including serious environmental and resource problems, internal instability associated with militarism, and continued forms of colonial and neocolonial control. Despite undoubted progress in regionalization, as evident in the role of the South Pacific Forum and Forum Secretariat, and the creation of a regional regulatory framework based on the Rarotonga Treaty, and SPREP, Waigani and Driftnet Conventions, much still needs to be done to strengthen and extend regional structures and regulatory regimes. Proposals advanced include: the need for a major regional conference, involving both governmental and NGOs, to consider a formal charter for regional bodies; and such possibilities as establishing a regional parliament, regional cooperative security council, peace and security resource centre, and regional peacekeeping force. In the case of regional regulation, it is further proposed that the review mechanism of the Rarotonga Treaty be activated to strengthen and extend the treaty; that similar steps be taken in the case of the SPREP and Waigani Conventions; and that a follow-on treaty be negotiated to ban all weapons of mass destruction in the region (WMDFZ). The particular importance of NGOs and people's networks in galvanizing regional action on alternative security policies is discussed, and it is concluded that both governments and NGOs need to be involved in a joint regional negotiation process aimed at restructuring and revitalizing present regional arrangements.
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