As indicated in this report, the U.S. views the cumulative effect
of bilateral, minilateral and multilateral security relationships as
establishing a diverse and flexible framework for promoting common
security in the Asia-Pacific
region into the next century. The
United States views the continued
development of the ASEAN Regional
Forum, for example, as an
important vehicle for exchanging
views on regional issues such as the South China Sea, enhancing
mutual understanding and confidence, and potentially addressing
preventive diplomacy and conflict resolution. The continuation
and broadening of minilateral contacts will also remain a U.S.
strategic priority and take its place alongside traditional mechanisms
of dialogue in coming years.
In particular, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and
other transnational security concerns, such as environmental
degradation, drug trafficking and terrorism, will require extensive
regional interaction and creative, multilateral approaches. The task
66 East Asian Strategy Report 1998
The U.S. views the cumulative effect of bilateral, minilateral and
multilateral security frameworks as establishing a diverse and flexible
framework for keeping the peace and managing change in the
Asia-Pacific region into the next century.
East Asian Strategy Report 1998 67
for the region will be to encourage all nations to recognize and address
domestic problems that have transnational security implications,
and to mobilize and coordinate a full range of national and international
tools to meet these non-traditional security challenges