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Navies meet to tackle ‘challenges’

NAVAL STATION NEWPORT, R.I. — The navies of the world are undergoing a “time of great challenges” when “the stakes are massive,” the U.S. Navy’s top officer told a gathering of sea service heads Wednesday.

In what amounts to a United Nations for admirals, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead addressed the meeting of naval leaders from around the world for the 19th International Seapower Symposium.

Speaking to reporters later, Roughead put the stakes into a naval context describing human trafficking, drug smuggling and terrorism as modern “tragedies.”

Also in attendance was Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, who noted pertinent topics like increased information-sharing between navies, how climate change may affect the sea, as well as resource use by the military.

He said he’s pushing for greater energy efficiency at sea and ashore.

“I am committing to putting the U.S. Navy on a path do something about it,” he said. “We have a lot to learn from each other, and there’s so much we can accomplish by working together.”

For three days, admirals and other naval representatives from 100 nations will discuss common issues and problems like piracy and humanitarian assistance. In addition to officers from nations ranging from Albania to Yemen, 33 U.S. Navy and Coast Guard flag officers are here.

Two years ago, the symposium was used to debut the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard’s “Maritime Strategy.” The biannual event, held at the Naval War College since 1969, kicked off Tuesday with videotaped comments from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who on behalf of President Barack Obama thanked the attendees for ensuring global stability and prosperity in the “interconnected world,” through maritime security.

Admirals use follow-on sessions to exchange ideas and opinions. The panels are not open to members of the press who traveled here, some from France, Italy and India.

Rear Adm. Phil Wisecup, president of the war college, said the event allows nations to build cooperation.

“This is where naval leaders actually get to meet each other,” he said. “We work together at sea all the time.”

Despite wide disparity in naval strength around the world — starting with truly nascent forces like Djibouti and building all the way up to those equipped with nuclear weapons — Wisecup said the officers attend as “equals” and that “we all share this planet together.”

First-time attendees include Russia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Maldives, St. Vincent and Guyana, Roughead said.

Quoting a counterpart from Bangladesh, Roughead told the gathering, “It is the sea that unites.”

Several nations that have been in conflict over the years have accepted invitations, including Iraq and Kuwait, Greece and Turkey, Pakistan and India, and Vietnam and Cambodia.

Russia and Georgia, which clashed briefly but violently in 2008, both sent military representatives.

Roughead took it as a good sign.

“I think it’s pretty positive they’re both here in the same room,” he said.

Roughead said Iran and North Korea were not invited, and he did not explain further, while China was invited but will not attend. Asked why not, he suggested asking the Chinese. Roughead attended the 60th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army-Navy in China earlier this year.