| bibo:abstract |
Security Regionalism in Northeast Asia: Emerging Frameworks for
Security Dialogue
저 자 명 : Lee Seo-hang
날 짜 : 1998.12
Ⅳ. Conclusion
Security in Northeast Asia has been maintained on the basis of a network of bilateral
security arrangements with the U.S. playing the central role. This arrangement is
expected to continue for a considerable period of time. However, the changing security
environment in the wake of the end of the Cold War has created a common basis for
dialogue and cooperation concerning regional security issues.
With the successful establishment and productive results to date of the region-wide
ARF and CSCAP, the willingness of government officials to participate actively in such
track two activities as the NEACD and others provides ample evidence of regional
acceptance of, and at least limited official governmental support for, multilateral
security dialogue in Northeast Asia.
Multilateral security initiatives hold many promises for the Asia-Pacific, including
Northeast Asia. However, it is important to understand their limits. A clear
understanding of the weaknesses and boundaries―of what multilateralism is neither
suited for nor intended to accomplish―can prevent false or overly optimistic
expectations and allow the nations of the region to maximize the benefits to be derived
from multilateral approaches to regional security. Broad-based multilateral forums like
ARF are useful vehicles for discussing potential crises before they occur. While
multilateral mechanisms might be better to deal with nontraditional threats such as
refugee problems or pollution and other environmental concerns, a bilateral or ad hoc approach still appear better suited to deal with traditional security threats. Simply put,
multilateralism and bilateralism are mutually supportive, and regional multilateral
mechanisms should be viewed more as confidence-building and mutually reassuring
measures aimed at avoiding and dampening the possibilities of crises or aggression.
(Re.12)
(Remark 12) Ralph A. Cossa, The major Powers in Northeast Asian Security, McNair
Paper 51 (Washington D.C.: National Defence University, 1996), p. 45.
Despite their limits, multilateral security mechanisms at both region-wide and the subregional
levels can be important vehicles for promoting long-term peace and stability.
They can offer a means for China, Japan, Russia, the U.S. and others to become more
actively involved in regional security matters in a manner that is non-threatening to
their neighbors. They also provide a mechanism for other regional actors to be heard,
while contributing to a sense of regional identity and a spirit of cooperation and
confidence-building.
In progressing further such mechanisms, however, there exist a number of stumbling
blocks. The peculiar local patterns of rivalry, enmity and diverse histories and cultural
roots in the region are likely to be the major obstacles in developing multilateral
security dialogue. Moreover, the ambiguous and skeptical attitudes of certain countries
in the region could be additional barriers. They may believe that the principles of
transparency, consultation and cooperation associated with multilateral approach to
regional security could prove intrusive. The future of region-wide and sub-regional
security dialogues in the Asia-Pacific lies in the regional states' ability to overcome
these obstacles and barriers.
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