AIPO confirms support for government plans<\/p>\n
By Dwi Atmanta<\/p>\n
DENPASAR (JP): The 18th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary
\nOrganization (AIPO) conference ended yesterday with fresh support
\nfor ASEAN governments to form common policies.<\/p>\n
The signing of a 42-point joint communique on political,
\nsecurity, economic, social and organizational matters marked the
\nclosing ceremony presided over by outgoing AIPO president,
\nWahono.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the assembly's working committee, Theo
\nSambuaga, said after the ceremony the joint communique
\nrepresented the people in ASEAN countries' full support in their
\nrespective governments.<\/p>\n
\"AIPO is always committed to promoting cooperation and
\nparticipation among the people of ASEAN member countries,\" Theo
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Theo is also a member of Indonesia's House of Representatives
\nInter-parliamentary cooperation body.<\/p>\n
During the closing ceremony, Wahono handed over his post to
\nMalaysian parliamentary chairman Tan Sri Dato Mohamed Zahir
\nIsmail.<\/p>\n
Malaysia will host the next AIPO in August next year.<\/p>\n
The assembly recognized in its joint-communique on political
\nand security matters that diplomatic initiatives and cooperation
\nwere more effective in attaining regional security than
\ncompetitions for power and military alliances.<\/p>\n
The conference supported ASEAN's efforts to help restore
\npolitical stability in Cambodia.<\/p>\n
AIPO also refused to use any kind of foreign intervention,
\nespecially anything coercive like an economic embargo.<\/p>\n
The assembly reaffirmed the ratification of a code of conduct
\nfor operations the South China Sea, advocated discussions on the
\nlaw of the sea between eminent ASEAN representatives and their
\nChinese counterparts.<\/p>\n
AIPO said ASEAN countries needed to hold meetings on the sea
\nand called on all states concerned to examine the option of
\ndeclaring sea islets demilitarized zones.<\/p>\n
The assembly called on the international community to ban
\nantipersonnel land mines; to continue negotiations on the nuclear
\nnonproliferation and comprehensive test ban treaties and to
\nsupport peace initiatives on the Korean peninsula.<\/p>\n
It also strongly urged Israel to revoke its declaration naming
\nJerusalem as its capital and the U.S. Congress to revoke a
\nresolution recognizing Jerusalem as the Israeli capital of
\nIsrael.<\/p>\n
AIPO called on the United Nations and the world community to
\nput pressure on Israel to comply with all international
\nagreements.<\/p>\n
Markets<\/p>\n
The assembly, in response to the recent turmoil in the
\nregion's foreign exchange markets, authorized the Philippine
\nNational Group to conduct further studies and host an ad-hoc
\ncommittee to discuss measures to strengthen and to improve ASEAN
\ncooperative arrangements in financial markets.<\/p>\n
It said existing cooperation measures among ASEAN economies to
\nstabilize financial markets were not enough.<\/p>\n
\"ASEAN must work closely to protect its interest against
\nmanipulation in financial markets,\" the statement says.<\/p>\n
ASEAN central banks signed July 25 an agreement renewing a
\ncurrency swap accord allowing member countries in need of
\nliquidity to exchange its local currency for U.S. dollars
\nprovided by other members. The agreement took effect Aug. 5.<\/p>\n
AIPO rejected any attempts to link social issues, including
\nlabor standards, human rights and democratization, to
\ninternational trade and investment agreements set out in the
\nWorld Trade Organization.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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