HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY TOM RIDGE OPENS ASIA-PACIFIC SECURITY SUMMIT
For Immediate Release: November 15, 2004
HONOLULU – U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge today told an audience of more than 925 that ridding the world of the “global scourge” of terrorism must be a unified effort among all nations. Ridge was the keynote speaker at the opening of the 2004 Asia-Pacific Homeland Security Summit & Exposition at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu, which is being attended by 657 registered attendees and speakers from more than 40 nations and 24 U.S. states and territories.
“The battle we wage against the terrorists is not one fought by America alone,” Ridge told the delegates and guests. “It is fought by every nation and every citizen that stands on the side of hope and liberty. And the means to win this war rests in our ability to engage the world community, work together multi-laterally, and foster healthy dialogue and strategic cooperation among our allies.”
Ridge told the delegates that they all have a vested interest in joining forces to ensure the security of our airports, harbors, food supplies and business economies. This year, the summit features in-depth panel discussions on subjects as diverse as bio and cyber terrorism and port security.
“The countries that have gathered in Hawai`i for the summit are different in many ways, but we also have much in common,” Governor Linda Lingle said as she opened today’s conference prior to introducing Secretary Ridge. “We all share a love of freedom and we are all determined to win the global war on terror.”
Today’s other featured speakers included: Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., National Security Advisor, Philippines; Dr. Rohan Gunaratna, Professor, Institute of Defense & Strategic Studies, Singapore; and Ong Keng Yong, Secretary General, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Governor’s office organized the summit in collaboration with the State Department of Defense; Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; the U.S. Pacific Command, the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies; the US-ASEAN Business Council; and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai`i.
For more details and the conference agenda, go to: www.hlssummit.hawaii.gov. The text of Secretary Ridge’s remarks can be found at: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic.
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For more information, contact:
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043
Maj. Charles Anthony
Department of Defense
Phone: (808) 733-4258
Major General Robert Lee
Chairman, 2004 Asia-Pacific Homeland Security Summit
State Adjutant General
Phone: (808) 733-4246
Ted Liu
Co-Chair, 2004 Asia-Pacific Homeland Security Summit
Director, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
Phone: (808) 586-2355
Lenny Klompus
Co-Chair, 2004 Asia-Pacific Homeland Security Summit
Senior Advisor – Communications; Office of the Governor
Phone: (808) 586-7705
