03 August 1999
Opening Remarks by Ambassador S R Nathan, Director, IDSS, for “Summer School” for Senior Military Officers, The Beaufort Hotel
Firstly, on behalf of the Board of Governors and staff of the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all distinguished guests and participants of the Summer School to this morning’s Opening Ceremony. Before calling upon DPM and Minister of Defence Dr. Tony Tan Keng Yarn to give the opening address, permit me to say a few words.
This Summer School for Senior Military Officers—where two officers from each of 22 countries in Asia and beyond will gather for one week is an untested venture by the Institute. It aims to get Senior Military Officers from the countries concerned to spend a week in residence and interact with each other. The programme provides for them, to discuss and not just hear lectures of military interest and also, more importantly, to get to know one another better. We are deeply gratified by the enthusiastic response we have received from all the invited countries and specialist speakers who have come from far and near to take part. We hope to make this the forerunner of an annual event we will hold in Singapore.
What is unique about this summer school is the idea of having senior military officers—regardless of service branch — from over twenty countries to learn, talk, and play together in a relaxed environment. There are plenty of forums for Foreign Ministers, Diplomats, officials and academics with interest in strategic questions to interact. However, there is virtually none devoted to such interaction among soldiers. We at the Institute thought we may be able to play a useful role by creating such an opportunity.
What we hope to achieve is the building of confidence and mutual trust among the military officers. Also the forming of personal friendships that will enhance working relationships both among participants as well as their respective Armed Forces. Such bonds and mutual understanding among military officers should provide an additional, yet very important, layer against unnecessary misunderstandings and suspicions that can always arise among Nations, especially when the World is in transition.
Hopefully, these contacts sustained over time will contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.
As the week progresses, the Institute will look forward to obtaining suggestions from our participants and guest lecturers, as well as guidance on how to improve this programme. How the Institute should adjust or change the programme and what are the “must have” topics in your view, would be what we will look forward to. We are already thinking, for example, of adding, for next year, a topic on “The Interaction between the Battlefield and the Soldier” — the theme about the “application of technology in warfare” as seen from the perspective of the soldier. It is now a matter of finding an experienced soldier to speak from his experiences, even from terrains unlike ours, in the Region.
I sincerely hope the days ahead will prove stimulating and enjoyable for you, the participants. I would now like to call upon the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Dr. Tony Tan Keng Yam to give his opening address.
