DEFENCE DIPLOMACY AS SIGNIFICANCE INSTRUMENT FOR ENHANCEMENT THE CONCEPT OF DETERRANCE IN NATIONAL DEFENCE POLICY
Introduction
Malays Malaysia ia is one countr country y that that always always believes believes in the use of diplom diplomacy acy for disputes disputes settlement. settlement. Although Although the use of the military military would remain remain relevant as an instrument instrument in achieving national interest and political objectives but it should be considered as a last option in settling disputes. However, due to the changes of the anarchical nature of the international system, the development of military capability and force structure should be continued in tandem with the National Defence Policy (NDP). The modernisation of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) should be an activity pursued to enhance its capability and credibility as a deterrent force.
As Frederick the Great once remarked, ‘diplomacy without force is like music without without instrument’. instrument’. So diplomacy diplomacy as an instrument instrument and as an instituti institution on is an essential essential part of the whole rationale of world politics.1 H.J. Morgenthau pointed out that diplomacy is the brains of national power, as national morale is its soul. The conduct of a nation’s foreign affairs by its diplomats is for the national power in peace and what military strategy and tactics by its military leaders are for national power in war. 2 In this context, defence diplomacy is significance instrument to enhance the concept of deterrence.
The The aim aim of this this essa essay y is to analy analyse se the the defe defenc ncee dipl diplom omac acy y as signi signifi fica canc ncee instrument for enhancement the concept of deterrence in the NDP. This essay would cover the followings; the definition of defence diplomacy and defence policy and defence
1
Graham Evans and Jeffry Newnham, The dictionary of the world politics: A reference guide to concepts, ideas and institutions, Harvester Wheatsheaf, New York, 1990, p. 89. 2 H.J. Morgenthau, Politics Among Nations: The struggle for power and peace, McGraw-Hill, Boston, 1993, p. 155.
2 diplomacy activities that can contribute toward the enhancement the concept of deterrence.
The Cold War is over but dealing with bad people will always be necessary to prevent ever greater evil.3 In an absence of imminent threat, Malaysia has to adopt a defence strategy that will give both physical and psychological protection with the aim to protect Malaysia's national interest. However, the main thrust of national interests should focus on the intention to protect core values and norms.4 Therefore, in meeting these objectives, the concept of deterrence, forward defence and total defence, which adopted in the NDP are remained relevant and could be further enhanced with the concept of defence diplomacy.
The defence diplomacy is defined as to provide forces to meet the varied activities that undertaken by the Minister of Defence to dispel hostility build and maintain trust and assist in the development of democratically accountable armed forces, thereby making a significant contribution to conflict prevention and resolution.5
The defence policy is the subset of foreign policy, which is the extension of domestic policy. The defence policy is defined as the varieties of plans, programmes and actions to achieve security against both external and internal threats. It incorporates a nation’s defence effort with purpose, defence objectives and projected defence resources. It states what the government has done to protect and promote national security.6 Hence it was tailored to the government’s strategies in adapting its posture as an actor in social, political, economic, and security environment both at regional and global level.
3
T.C Sorenson, Rethinking National Security, Foreign Affairs, Vol.9, No 3 (Summer 1990), quoted in Paul Kennedy, Preparing for the 21 st Century, Vintage Books, New York, 1993,p.129. 4 Muthiah Alagappa (ed.), Malaysia: Reinventing the Nation, in Asian Security Practice: Material and Ideational Influences, Stanford University Press, Singapore, 1998, p. 154. 5 The Ministery of Defence, Policy Paper:Paper No 1, Defence Diplomacy, Directorate of Corporate Communications (Media), London, p.2. 6 F.B. Horton, Comparative Defence Policy, Baltimore, Johns Hopkin University Press, 1974, p.107.
3 Basing on the definitions as stated above, through the concept of defence diplomacy, basically the tasks that the MAF could contributes are as follows; confidence and security building measures such as activities which designed to contribute to security and stability in the regional and global through bilateral and multilateral assistance and co-operation programmes; defence diplomacy activities which covering military assistance programmes with foreign military forces. This so-called defence diplomacy is significant in enhancing the defence policy as it was consistently carried out by Malaysia since independence. As pointed out by J.Savaranamuttu (1983) that Malaysian foreign policy across three broad issue areas, namely, defence and security, development and trade, and international cooperation and diplomacy.7
Analysis
The current threat perceptions are complex in nature and centred on wider spectrum that encompasses sovereignty, overlapping claims, trade-related issues, environment and the competition for resources. The concept of deterrence as adopted by the MAF should encompass both denial and punitive deterrence. It is aimed at discouraging potential adversary from pursuing policies that are against any peaceful means of resolving conflicts. It is analyse that, the changes of post-Cold War strategic environments had influenced the MAF to reassess its national interests and defence needs. The MAF through Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) should considered how the roles, missions, capabilities and force developments of the MAF be adjusted to meet these new realities. The MAF should not only defend the country and its interests, but also be a force for good in the world, and help prevent and contain crises. Thus the defence diplomacy concept is suitable to give greater priority, impetus and coherence to these types of activities and at the same time to ensure alignment with the national’s foreign and defence policy objectives. As a result, this effort will provide an opportunity for the MAF to enhance the concept of deterrence by showing our concern in contributing toward the peace and stability of the world.
7
J.Savaranamuttu , Dilemma of Independence: Two Decades of Malaysia’s Foreign Policy, 19571977. Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, 1983,p. 13.
4 Historically, the MAF has a long and proud record of providing support to conflict prevention and peace through a wide range of defence diplomacy activities. These efforts were acknowledged as being one of the success activities. Hence, emphasis should be given on defence diplomacy through contacts, exchanges training and joint exercises. It is analyse that if effectively utilized, this defence diplomacy activities will promote greater transparency, trust among neighbour countries, and thus enhance close cooperation. This is the most effective way of promoting confidence building measures (CBM). In fact, the mechanisms to promote defence diplomacy are already in placed such as our diplomatic representations in respective nations and the various bilateral and multilateral engagements that Malaysia had made over the years. In this respect, as the MAF plays its role in promoting and supporting the nation's goals and objectives, so much so, it will foster closer relations for better understanding about the MAF and at the same time promoting it as a deterrent force. Defence diplomacy should be the driver to help bring shaping to understanding. This defence diplomacy should be central to the co-ordination of the elements of shaping which must include the strategies for promoting regional defence co-operation in training and education, protection of marine resources, intelligence and information gathering, combined exercises, goodwill high level visits and the development of combined doctrines and operational procedures. Special integrated strategies, including an appropriate military assistance programme, should also be developed to ensure the implementation of confidence and security building measures to provide greater transparency in military matters in order to alleviate mistrust, prevent misunderstandings from developing into crisis, thereby promoting collective confidence and stability. For example the Ambalat Incident whereby the Chief of Navy himself initiated at the early stage to reduce the tension through military diplomacy then followed by the Chief of Defence Forces and the Minister of Foreign Affairs discussion. The case was temporary resolved and remained status quo.
5 Malaysia's interest in the international arena has been demonstrated in the past through its active participation in the international and regional organisations.8 This policy of cooperative engagement would be continued in the future. In accordance to the United Nation Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), Malaysia is legally free to conduct its internal affairs without outside interference. Malaysia has the rights to preserve and protect its core areas, constituting the territorial integrity and its territorial waters and air space including those in the EEZ and provides free and safe passage in the Sea Lane of Communications (SLOC). Therefore, Malaysia needs to participate more actively in the wider regional engagement using the platform of Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) and Asian Regional Forum (ARF). This can be carried out effectively through the defence diplomacy activities.
Defence diplomacy should also be extended beyond South East Asian (SEA) region. This can reflects the country commitment to increasing international security and stability and preventing conflict worldwide. The MINDEF together with the MAF should expand the scope and coverage of defence diplomacy programmes elsewhere, particularly in the Asian region. Some significant activities that could support of meeting these objectives, including: comprehensive programme of staff talks, staff visits, training talks, exercises, and exchange and liaison programmes with many countries that has contributed to the building and maintenance of trust. For example the continuation development of security relations and cooperation with Thailand and the Philippines due to the unrest situation in both countries even though it could pose spillover effect to the country shows our consistency in promoting peace and stability. The defence diplomacy can covers a broad range of activities including:
the
training courses and education programmes, including opportunities for overseas students to attend courses at our military training establishments; visits by ships of the Royal Malaysian Navy, aircraft by the Royal Air Forces and other military units; inward and outward visits by Ministers and military leaders and civilian personnel at all levels;
8
This includes the United Nation, World Trade Organisation (WTO), Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC), Non Aligned Movement (NAM), Group of 15 (G15), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), ARF and ASEAN and ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).
6 conferences and seminars to improve mutual understanding; exchanges of civilian and military personnel. The defence diplomacy initiatives will giving a new emphasis and reinforce the need to target efforts where they are needed most. For example, the MINDEF can commit to arms control initiatives in promoting the country’s security at the same time wider international security and stability. Through this initiative, Malaysia can make a significant contribution to enhancing stability and security by reducing the potential for conflict for example our involvement in International Monitoring Team (IMT) in Mindanao. This effort could limit numbers and deployments of weapons and at the same time increase transparency and openness in military activity and build confidence. It analyse that defence diplomacy can provides the MAF new opportunities such as through the development of inter security forces approaches that established through multi cooperation. The deployment of our Armed Forces together with Libya and Brunei Darulsalam in Mindanoa under auspices of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) provides significant dividends and proportionate benefits, thus supporting our key objective of making the world a safer place. This is far better, and saves more lives, than intervening after conflicts have broken out. It is reasonable to conclude that through the defence diplomacy the MAF could receive considerable attention, at home and abroad, in seeking to increase stability and security and at the same time contributes toward the enhancement the concept of deterrence. It is likely that in the future, there is a need for efforts to prevent, reduces and manages conflicts, together with post-conflict re-construction and support to security sector reform will grow. In this regard, the MAF should determine to play its part in the international response. A number of opportunities and challenges could be addressed through the defence diplomacy initiatives in the future for example the arms control through the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Conference. In the context of establishing a policy baseline from which to manage our activities and develop a more pro-active approach, this can increase the benefits to be gained from a more inclusive approach to conflict prevention through partnership bilateral and multilateral relations for example the MAF involvement following the East Timor crisis of 1999.
7 Other initiatives that are likely could be carried out in the future is to support a more proactive and effective approach to defence diplomacy included: offering of more places on future academic programmes and exploring possibilities for promoting the campaign war of terror. This can be done by engagement with academic world on work related to the analysis of the causes of conflict. This work provides an opportunity to develop a better understanding of conflicts. Through this approach, the MAF could take care on the environmental stresses and security issues for example the impact on the shortages of natural resources such as water that influence the security and stability in SEA region. Conclusion
In conclusion, the MAF should continue to practice the concept of defence diplomacy at all levels. The modernization of the MAF should take into consideration the changes of the present security environments and be ready to adjust and plays its role and tasks in facing the future threats. A proactive and effective utilization of the defence diplomacy activities both at regional and global level in promoting defence cooperation will foster other countries for better understanding about the MAF’s credibility and thus will enhance the concept of deterrence. The defence diplomacy concept can provides better coherence and renew momentum to our peacetime activities that contributes to the prevention of conflict, building confidence and maintaining trust and helping to develop democratically accountable armed forces. Through these efforts, the MAF will have an excellent opportunity to achieve in promoting the world peace and stability and at the same time develops our posture as a deterrent force. To this end, such defence diplomacy shall be in tandem with the military defence strategy that is adopted in the National Defence Policy.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
F.B. Horton. 1947. Comparative Defence Policy. Baltimore: Johns Hopkin University Press. G.Evans and J. Newnham. 1990, The dictionary of the world politics: A reference guide to concepts, ideas and institutions. New York: Harvester Wheatsheaf. H.J. Morgenthau. 1993. Politics among Nations: The struggle for power and peace. Boston : McGraw-Hill. J.Savaranamuttu. 1983. Dilemma of Independence: Two Decades of Malaysia’s Foreign Policy.1957-1977. Penang: Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia. Muthiah Alagappa (ed.) 1998. Malaysia: Reinventing the Nation, in Asian Security Practice: Material and Ideational Influence .Singapore: Stanford University Press. T.C Sorenson. 1993. Rethinking National Security. Foreign Affairs. Vol.9. No 3 (Summer 1990). quoted in Paul Kennedy. Preparing for the 21 st Century. New York: Vintage Books. The Ministery of Defence. Policy Paper:Paper No 1. Defence Diplomacy. London: Directorate of Corporate Communications (Media).
