Pacific Treaty Organization

United States (1986)
Australia (1986)
Canada (1986)
Japan (1986)
Russia (1998)
Mexico (1999)
Singapore (2000)
Taiwan (2000)
Phillipines (2001)
Vietnam (2001)
Malaysia (2001)
South Korea (2004)
India (2005)
Chile (2006)
Indonesia (2006)
Ecuador (2007)
Peru (2009)
United Kingdom (2018)
France (2018)
Qatar (2018)

## History

The Pacific Treaty Organization was the brainchild of United States President Ronald Reagan. It was founded to counter increasing Chinese agression in the region. On June 2nd 1986 During Exercise RIMPAC the USA, Japan, Canada, and Australia signed the Pacific Treaty, making the Pacific Treaty Organization a reality.

## Articles

The Pacific Treaty set the guidelines for the Pacific Treaty Organization. It is in many ways similar to 1949 North Atlantic Treaty that created NATO but with a few modifications.

### Article 1

Article 1 of the treaty states that member parties "settle any international disputes in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered, and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations."

### Article 2

Article 2 of the treaty stipulates that "The Parties will contribute toward the further development of peaceful and friendly international relations by strengthening their free institutions, by bringing about a better understanding of the principles upon which these institutions are founded, and by promoting conditions of stability and well-being. They will seek to eliminate conflict in their international economic policies and will encourage economic collaboration between any or all of them." This included proposals for a trade council, cultural program, technological sharing, and an information program.

### Article 3

Article 3 of the treaty states that "In order more effectively to achieve the objectives of this Treaty, the Parties, separately and jointly, by means of continuous and effective self-help and mutual aid, will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack."

It has also been used as a core concept for a mandate to strengthen member resilience: the ability to resist and recover from a major disasters, failures in infrastructure, or traditional armed attack. Per PTO documents, this has been understood to include seven key areas:

* Continuity of government during a crisis
* Energy and power grid infrastructure resilience
* Immigration control
* Food and water security
* Medical emergencies
* Resilient civil communications
* Effective transportation networks

### Article 4

Article 4 is generally considered the starting point for major PTO operations, and therefore is intended for either emergencies or situations of urgency. It officially calls for consultation over military matters when "the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the parties is threatened." Upon its invocation, the issue is discussed in the Joint Pacific Counsel, and can formally lead into a joint decision or action (logistic, military, or otherwise) on behalf of the Alliance. It has been officially invoked 2 times since the alliance's creation.

Article 4 Invocations
 Fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis
Chinese military build-up along borders with Russia and Vietnam
 Korea Crisis
North Korean shelling of Yeonpyeong.

### Article 5

The key section of the treaty is Article 5. Its commitment clause defines the *casus foederis*. It commits each member state to consider an armed attack against one member state, in Asia, Oceania, South America or North America, to be an armed attack against them all. Upon such attack, each member state is to assist by taking "such action as [the member state] deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the Pacific and Indian ocean area."

### Article 6

Article 6 states that the treaty covers only member states' territories inbetween the 49th and the -60th meridians excluding territory that only borders the atlantic ocean, or Red sea.

### Article 10

Article 10 dictates the process by which other countries may join PTO, which is by unanimous agreement by current PTO members. In practice, this has turned into a set of action plans which an aspiring nation must follow in order to become a member. Including the Membership Action Plan (MAP) mechanism, and Intensified Dialogue formula.