Media Release

  Wednesday, 17 March 1999

JOINT PRESS STATEMENT
BY
GENERAL WIRANTO AND ADMIRAL BARRIE:

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MILITARY IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Introduction

  1. We have just concluded a joint ADF-ABRI Forum on the roles and responsibilities of the military in the 21st century. The forum dealt with:

    • the future nature of conflict;
    • relations between civil and military institutions;
    • roles that governments expect militaries to play in promoting security; and
    • reform and organisational change.

  2. The Forum was an example of our close and growing strategic partnership which is evolving to adapt to significant change in our strategic environment. Linked together initially only by geography, the personal contacts between our two defence forces have strengthened greatly in recent years, allowing a greater understanding of our mutual security interests. The formal expression of our commitment to strengthen friendship and cooperation in the field of security is the Agreement On Maintaining Security of 1995. The Forum demonstrated that our friendship will remain strategically vital, forward-looking and responsive to future challenges.

  3. Despite differences in history, culture and size, Indonesia and Australia have common interests in promoting a peaceful strategic environment. Australia and Indonesia have many shared security interests. We share commitments to common goals of national prosperity, self-reliance and resilience. This Forum has brought together the key leaders and decision makers of our defence organisations. It demonstrated that we can work together in many areas which affect our common security interests.

Leadership and Strategic Dialogue

  1. The Forum has highlighted that we live in a period of rapid social, economic, political and technological change which affects our two countries and our region. These changes demand that our defence organisations be able to adapt to new circumstances, so that we can better fulfil our missions as effective and respected guardians of national security. Only a continuously evolving military will be able positively to influence the strategic environment. The insights gained at the Forum into our different national approaches will allow us to more effectively prepare for the future.

  2. We emphasise the paramount importance of good leadership in guiding our defence organisations through periods of significant change. Change is made smoother and better outcomes are achieved if leaders take the initiative in finding the best strategies to adapt our organisations and motivate our people.

  3. We acknowledge the important role that a close and effective dialogue between our two defence headquarters can play in developing a closer understanding between our two countries. The Forum has provided a unique opportunity for the senior leadership of our respective defence headquarters to meet and discuss the complex problems confronting military organisations today. While our experiences and circumstances are different, we believe that there is much benefit in sharing knowledge, perceptions and lessons learned. Dialogue at the highest level is essential if we are to position our bilateral relations to meet future challenges. Moreover, the building of personal and professional linkages is central to fulfilling the promise of the Agreement On Maintaining Security.

Outcomes of the Forum

  1. The CDF-PANGAB Forum aims were to explore developments which will influence the roles and responsibilities of the military in the 21st century, to begin to define new paradigms for military organisations, and to explore planning models and tools for managing and implementing change in military organisations. These objectives were achieved. The Forum was clear evidence of the capacity of our two leaderships to work together in an atmosphere of mutual respect to address problems which concern both of us.

  2. Consistent with our aspirations for the close relationship between our two countries, our military organisations will seek to continue dialogue and discussion on how to meet these challenges. We will maintain the linkages formed between our two headquarters during the Forum.

  3. When and where mutually convenient, staff at both the working group and higher management levels will meet to undertake further work on topics of mutual concern. These could include workshops or seminars on:

    • armed forces and the law;
    • military education in policy management;
    • accountability in command;
    • new trends in civil military relations;
    • management of capability development; and
    • communicating with the public.

Issued by the Defence Public Affairs Organisation, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT, 2600

back