Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is so special about Northeast Asia? Why does the Pacific Freeze focus on the countries participating in the Six-Party Talks?

Northeast Asia is where the largest militaries in the world – the United States, China, Russia, and Japan – all face one another. The countries participating in the Six-Party Talks – aimed at eliminating North Korea’s nuclear program, establishing diplomatic relations between North Korea and key countries, and establishing a peace structure for the region – are responsible for 65% of global military spending. These countries are also increasing their military spending by large amounts. If we can stop and then reverse the growth of military budgets among these countries, we can begin finally to scale back the global military industrial complex. Also, it is not likely that any peace agreement with North Korea or peace structure in the region will endure if all the countries are engaged in a heated arms race.

• Is this a call for a unilateral freeze on military spending?

The Pacific Freeze calls for a mutual freeze on military spending. The six countries must all at least agree to the freeze. However, any country can choose to reduce military spending. A commission of civilian and parliamentary representatives would monitor compliance with the freeze.

• Why include the United States and Russia?

Both the United States and Russia are Pacific powers and spend a great deal of money on their military presence in the region. They are also the top two arms exporters in the world. Any attempt to restrain military spending that does not include the former Cold War adversaries will not likely succeed.

• Does the freeze on military spending apply to a country’s entire military budget or just that portion used in the Pacific region?

The United States does not spend all of its half-a-trillion dollar military budget on its military presence in the Pacific. Nor does Russia or China. However, all three countries can redeploy troops and military hardware to the Pacific region in an emergency. Also, it can be very difficult to determine what proportion of a military budget goes to what region of the world. Finally, since all six countries spend far in excess of their legitimate security needs, freezing the overall budget is a necessary first step in establishing reasonable budget priorities.

• Why just freeze the military budget? Why not a reduction of 10 percent or more?

Right now, the six countries are increasing their military spending by 10% a year (with the exception of Japan, where some politicians would like to dramatically increase military spending). In these circumstances, a freeze on military spending would be a significant step forward. But the freeze is just the beginning. Once the countries stop increasing military spending, they can move to the next step: a reduction of military spending.

• Would a mutual freeze lock in U.S. military dominance?

The United States spends between 5 and 10 times the amount of its nearest potential rival, China. U.S. military spending accounts for nearly half of all global military expenditures. While a freeze would indeed lock in this inequity, it would also prevent the United States from continuing to build on its substantial lead. Once a freeze is in place, the countries involved can negotiate reductions that would make the huge gaps in military capability less relevant.

• Where would the peace dividend from reducing the military budget go?

The Pacific Freeze recommends that the money saved go to job retraining and the strengthening of the Green economy. Freezing and then reducing military spending has the potential of increasing unemployment in the defense sector. These workers need retraining to work in what promises to be the most important growth sector of the 21^st century: the sustainable Green economy.

• What about countries outside Northeast Asia?

We will start our organizing in the countries now negotiating in the Six Party Talks. But we will encourage other civic movements in Pacific countries to join. And we will also reach out to countries in Europe, Latin America, and Africa that could become affiliate members.

• It seems pretty peaceful in Northeast Asia. Would freezing and then reducing the military budgets create instability in the region?

The peace in Northeast Asia is deceptive. The conflict between North and South Korea and between China and Taiwan could escalate at any point. There are territorial disputes between Japan and South Korea, Japan and China, Japan and Russia, and South Korea and China. Conflict between an emerging alliance of China, Russia, and North Korea on the one hand and the United States, Japan, and South Korea on the other could harden into a new cold war that forces other countries to choose sides. With all the countries boosting their arms spending and purchasing or building the latest high-tech weaponry, the chances of conflict increase exponentially.

• Are there Pacific Freeze campaigns in other countries?

We are working with groups in South Korea and Japan. We expect to branch out to Russia and China very soon.