Politic-Economic-Society-Tech

US and Asean sign crucial antiterrorist agreement

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN Southeast Asian nations signed a comprehensive pact with US Secretary of State Colin Powell yesterday to combat terrorism, cut off terrorist funding and develop more effective counter-terrorist policies.

It bound Southeast Asia and the US in a framework "to prevent, disrupt and combat international terrorism".

Powell said the agreement was not designed to win new US military bases nor increase the number of troops deployed in the region.

The pact committed the parties to mutual assistance in a crackdown on the movement of terrorists, including border controls, detection of fake passports and the movement of terrorist funds.

It also detailed improved intelligence sharing on terrorist financing and counter-terrorist measures, including the development of "more effective" counter-terrorism policies.

"It's a political declaration that brings Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the US together in a more intimate relationship," Powell said.

"But I don't anticipate that this declaration is a basis for any increased military presence in the region or any stationing decisions or training decisions that might be made. Those are usually handled on a bilateral basis."

The US has about 100000 troops stationed in the Asia-Pacific region and "we are not looking for new bases or new places to send US troops," he said.

The signatories from the 10-member Asean included Indonesia, the next stop on Powell's six-nation swing through the region. Although Indonesia had been under mounting international pressure since September 11 to act firmly against terrorists said to be holed up there, no one had been detained, in contrast to arrests in neighbouring Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.

As the world's most populous Muslim country, Indonesia could play a critical role in ensuring that Osama bin Laden's brand of militant Islam does not spread, US officials believed.

The Asean-US pact viewed acts of terrorism "as a profound threat to international peace and security, which require concerted action to protect and defend all peoples and the peace and security of the world".

Brunei Foreign Minister Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, who signed the document on behalf of Asean, described it as a significant step to strengthen political cooperation between Southeast Asia and Washington.

Domingo Siazon, Philippine President Gloria Arroyo's special envoy to the meetings, said it would "deny sanctuaries" for terrorists in the region.

"The participants emphasise that the purpose of this cooperation is to enhance the efficacy of those efforts to combat terrorism," the document said.

It is the most powerful of three antiterrorist declarations to emerge from a week of meetings in Brunei involving Asean and its 13 major dialogue partners.

The Asean Regional Forum, a 23member security grouping, unveiled a blueprint on Wednesday designed to choke off funding for terrorists.

It contained a raft of measures, including banking controls and a freeze on assets.



source: Business Day, Aug 02 2002