12 June 2007
General Discusses U.S. Strategic Objectives for Hemisphere
USINFO Webchat transcript, June 12
Brigadier General Michael R. Moeller, stationed at the headquarters of the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) in Miami, discusses how USSOUTHCOM helps ensure the defense of the United States and promotes security cooperation to achieve U.S. strategic objectives.
Following is the transcript:
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
USINFO Webchat Transcript
U.S. Southern Command: Enhancing Hemispheric Stability and Security
Guest: Brigadier General Michael R. Moeller
Date: June 12, 2007
Time: 10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 GMT)
Moderator: Welcome to the webchat! We see your questions coming in about the United States Southern Command and Brigadier General Michael R. Moeller will begin to answer them at 10:30 AM EDT.
Question [bhudnall]: Could you please elaborate on the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response mechanisms in place to assist Latin America and the Caribbean in this vital area of interest?
General Michael Moeller: The USSOUTHCOM Humanitarian Assistance Program is an integral part of our overall USSOUTHCOM Security Cooperation Program. The focus of the Humanitarian Assistance Program is on Partner Nation capacity-building and risk mitigation, with an emphasis on infrastructure development (regional and local). A few examples of capacity building include: constructing disaster relief warehouses and stocking them (turn key operation), constructing Emergency Operation Centers (similar to our FEMA operation centers), building small medical clinics, building and/or renovating primary schools, and conducting fire fighter training, medical first responder training, in addition to warehouse management operations training.
Partner Nations start the process by requesting support through the Humanitarian Assistance Program They identify requirements through the US Country Team and the Security Cooperation Office. The Security Cooperation Office provides those requirements to SOUTHCOM; we, in turn, forward those requirements to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency for approval. Once the requirement is approved, it is prioritized based on CDRUSSOUTHCOM guidance, and funded based on priority and availability of funds.
Additionally, USSOUTHCOM has the ability to assist with disaster response, when requested by the Department of State and approved by the Department of Defense. Again, the Partner Nation initiates this process through a request to the US Ambassador. If the Ambassador recommends that the US provide disaster response assistance, a series of reviews occur by both the Department of State and the Department of Defense before a decision is made to use Department of Defense assets to provide support. If the decision is made to provide support, USSOUTHCOM is then formally tasked and goes to work.
Q [Chat Participant]: Can you please tell me how the USSOUTHCOM works with the Panamanian government to protect the canal? Given that the US ceded authority to Panama, is there any complication in such operations?
Answer [General Michael Moeller]: SOUTHCOM has a close relationship with the Panamanian Public Security Forces to conduct security cooperation activities such as the multi-national exercise called PANAMAX that is focused on defense of the canal. Regional support for canal security is high and cooperation in the region is very good--for example, PANAMAX has grown from three participants to 17 nations working together this fall.
Q [Chat Participant]: The export of drugs from South and Central America to markets in North America is a major problem. To what extent does your organization devote resources to anti-drug activities? Can you quantify the percentage of resources devoted to this?
A [General Michael Moeller]: Southern Command is very focused on countering illicit traffic including a dedicated organization--Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-S), that oversees counter illicit trafficking operations with the support of liaison officers from 10 nations and 9 federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The nations supporting this component include: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Mexico, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Spain.
Through an elaborate collaboration network that includes Cooperative Security Locations in Aruba/Curacao, Ecuador and El Salvador, JIATF-South detects, tracks and monitors suspected traffickers in the region. In 2006, the task force contributed to the seizure of approximately 260 Metric tons of Drugs with estimated street value of $5.5 billion.
Q [cario irc]: Dear Mr. Brigadier General Michael Moeller. Good Mooring. As we move into the 21st Century our security will be challenged increasingly by environmental degradation, population growth, poverty and disease, and terrorism. Do we need a new approach to security?
A [General Michael Moeller]: I believe that in the future we need to expand our scope beyond what we would call "traditional security" challenges to include more than just military threats. The potential for force-on-force military actions between two or more nations in the region is relatively low; however, we face many other conditions and challenges that threaten security, stability, and prosperity:
• Poverty and Inequality
• Corruption
• Terrorism
• Crime
Today, Southern Command is transforming to take advantages of the full range of US government capabilities because to face these challenges in the region. We know that Latin American and Caribbean nations are strategically important to the national security and economic future of the United States and the long-term interests of the U.S. are best served by a hemisphere of stable, secure, and democratic nations. A prosperous future for all rests on a foundation of shared values; efficient governments; free societies; and open, market-based economies.
Q [Sergio Davila]: General Craddock called Venezuelan Hugo Chavez a "destabilizing force" in the Hemisphere. Does General Moeller agree with this view, and if so, why Thanks, Sergio
A [General Michael Moeller]: Our military-to-military relationship with Venezuela is currently very strained. This is unfortunate, because the relationship between our armed forces was very strong for more than 35 years.
We also know that today's challenges require that we work together to achieve success. With that in mind, we continue to invite Venezuela’s armed forces to the multinational exercises we co-sponsor with other partner nations, but, so far, they have declined to participate.
Q [Chat Participant]: After the terrorist attacks against the Jewish community in Buenos Aires, Argentina in the early 90’s by Middle Eastern terrorist groups, does SOUTHCOM do anything to assist Argentina and other countries in this hemisphere from the attacks being repeated. If so, what type of measures are taken?
A [General Michael Moeller]: We work closely with all of the countries in the region and, when asked, provide expertise, information sharing and security training as required.
Q [Sergio Davila]: Recently, Venezuela, Brazil and Chile increased their military budgets, specially the purchasing of weapons. What does General Moeller think of this?
A [General Michael Moeller]: This is a region where the potential for hostilities between countries is very low and countries are -- for the most part -- working together to deal with regional security challenges.
We respect the sovereign right of nations to determine when there is a need to modernize obsolete military hardware, but, should be commensurate with the threats of the day and not exceed the country’s defense modernization needs.
Q [Sergio Davila]: Does the General agree with general Craddock on the Tri-Border Area (General Craddock told the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee in November that the "permissive environment" of the region is "the backbone for criminal entities" like "narco-terrorists, Islamic terrorists, and worldwide organized crime.")
A [General Michael Moeller]: As recently seen with the threat against JFK airport, Islamic terrorist groups are active in our hemisphere--not just the Tri-Border Area. However, through continued security cooperation and information sharing, the nations in our hemisphere can deny these organizations the opportunity to use our sovereign territories for safe haven.
Q [jnasguard]: What role does USSOUTHCOM play in assisting The Bahamas with drug trafficking, human trafficking and hurricane disasters?
A [General Michael Moeller]: As mentioned previously, JIATF-S is a key part of our assistance to Caribbean nations. Additionally, SOUTHCOM sponsors exercises, seminars and conferences to improve our collective ability to respond effectively and expeditiously to disasters. SOUTHCOM also invites 26 nations to participate in Fuerzas Aliadas Humanitarias, an annual disaster preparedness planning seminar/exercise for the region.
Q [jpassos]: What about the main topic of this discussion: the Southern Hemisphere security? What are the main issues in this area right now?
A [General Michael Moeller]: The potential for force-on-force military conflict between two or more nations in the region is relatively low and is expected to remain so through 2016. However, the region faces many other challenges that threaten security, stability, and prosperity across the hemisphere.
The foundation of society rests upon the ability of a nation to provide opportunity for prosperity and security for its people. Today, widespread poverty and inequality combined with corruption leaves many searching for the means for simple survival. A lack of opportunity and competition for scarce resources lead to an increase in crime and provide opportunities for gangs and terrorists to flourish. These conditions lead to an environment that threatens the security and stability of the entire region.
Q [Marek]: In Eastern Europe and the former USSR, transformation of military from dictatorship to partner in democracy has been an important part of the overall equation of democratization. As I know, former "juntas" in South and Central America have poor records in this regard (human rights etc.) Does US South Command work to promote better practices by these militaries?
A [General Michael Moeller]: Absolutely--in fact, Southern Command is the only combatant command with a dedicated Human Rights Division. We are engaged, every day, in the region and will continue to work with partner nation military and security forces to instill the concepts and values of security force subordination to civilian authorities, respect for human rights, and the rule of law.
Q [Chat Participant]: How closely does SOUTHCOM work with the government and military of Latin America to prevent those country’s borders being used by terrorists as a pathway to the United States? What are the other principal countries in Latin America that pose this type of risk?
A [General Michael Moeller]: We are dedicated to protecting the southern borders of the United States and work cooperatively with our regional partners--especially those in Central America and the Caribbean to mitigate the risks to our security from these potential pathways.
Moderator: We would like to thank Brigadier General Michael R. Moeller for joining us today. The webchat is now closed. A transcript of today's webchat will be available on the USINFO Webchat Station homepage within one business day.
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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
