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at least, Washington's alliances were theoretically built

on mutual interest.  Today the benefits run almost solely

in the direction of the allies.  Thus, jettisoning

treaties and deployments that commit Washington to fight

on behalf of allies would increase America's security by

reducing the likelihood of entangling this country in war.

Transforming America's role in that way would allow

the United States to phase out its forces in Japan, while

maintaining military cooperation--joint naval exercises,

shared intelligence gathering, and base access rights in

an emergency.  Hosokawa points out that even after the

return of the naval bases of Sasebo and Yokosuka, the

United States "should still be able to use Japanese parts

and maintain its sea power in the western Pacific."78

(South Korea's overwhelming comparative advantages over

North Korea would likewise allow disengagement from the

Korean peninsula, which would further reduce any justifica-

tion for stationing American forces in Japan.)  Some units

should be demobilized as the security guarantees they

undergird are reduced; others could be redeployed back to

Hawaii or Guam.  Such a mid-Pacific presence would allow

the United States to intervene in serious crises if neces-

sary.79

At the same time, America should encourage greater

regional cooperation where its security interests may be

impinged, particularly in maintaining open sea-lanes,80 and

continue to play an active role in nonconfrontational

areas--cultural, economic, diplomatic, and political rela-

tionships.  However, while the United States should medi-

ate, encourage, facilitate, and observe, it should not see

itself as the residual problem solver and enforcer for

East Asia.

The "Destabilization" Scare Tactic

Would an American military withdrawal nevertheless

unsettle countries in East Asia?  Yes, but not as much as

it would have 10 or more years ago.  Not only has the

threat environment changed dramatically, but the affected

states are more able to care for themselves.  There is "a

growing confidence among the nations of Asia," says

William Clark.81   Indeed, they have had to begin contem-

plating life without American troops.  It may have taken a

volcano to force the issue, but Washington finally relin-

quished its bases in the Philippines.  And everyone con-

cerned--America, the Philippines, and East Asia as a

whole--survived the experience unscathed.82   Concern was

undoubtedly greater 20 years ago when President Carter