APEC leaders condemn terrorism<\/p>\n
Andrew Browne, Reuters, Shanghai<\/p>\n
Pacific Rim leaders condemned the Sept. 11 hijack attacks on
\nSunday and vowed to limit the economic damage but stopped short
\nof backing U.S.-led strikes on Afghanistan or naming Washington's
\nprime suspect Osama bin Laden.<\/p>\n
In an unprecedented move the leaders of the 21-member Asia
\nPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum agreed to fight
\nterrorism with specific measures, including enhanced airport
\nsecurity and financial controls.<\/p>\n
\"We condemned in the strongest terms the attacks as an affront
\nto peace, prosperity and the security of all people, of all
\nfaiths, of every nation,\" Chinese President Jiang Zemin declared
\nat the end of the two-day summit in his country's financial
\ncapital.<\/p>\n
The leaders issued a broader economic declaration as well as
\ntheir anti-terrorism statement, which was the first major
\npolitical declaration in the 12-year history of a grouping
\nfounded to promote free trade and regional economies.<\/p>\n
\"The current downturn has tempered the short term outlook for
\nthe region and the downturn risks have been increased by the
\nimpact of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on September 11,\"
\nJiang said, summarizing the leaders' views of the global economic
\ndownturn and the suicide attacks.<\/p>\n
The Chinese leader, who spoke in English, was wearing a red
\nsilk jacket. Behind him stood the other APEC leaders -- including
\nU.S. President George W. Bush and Russia's Vladimir Putin -- all
\nin similar jackets in vivid crimson, blue, brown or green.<\/p>\n
On day two of APEC summits, leaders traditionally wear a
\njacket or shirt reflecting the host country's culture and style.<\/p>\n
The declaration against terrorism still offered no support for
\nthe U.S.-led strikes against Afghanistan and avoided direct
\nreference to the Saudi-born bin Laden, viewed by Washington as
\nthe mastermind behind the September attacks.<\/p>\n
But it did say the leaders \"unequivocally condemn in the
\nstrongest terms\" the hijack attacks on the World Trade Center and
\nPentagon which have rocked the U.S. economy and sent tremors
\nthrough Asian countries that rely on U.S. export markets.<\/p>\n
It expressed deepest sympathy to the United States before
\ncalling for \"increased cooperation to bring perpetrators to
\njustice\" and pledging a coordinated crackdown on groups involved
\nin terrorism by choking off their funds, stepping up electronic
\nsurveillance of travelers and tightening customs controls.<\/p>\n
The statement also called for beefed-up security at airports
\nand ports and on board aircraft.<\/p>\n
Sean McCormack, spokesman for the White House National
\nSecurity Council, told Reuters the United States was satisfied
\nwith the anti-terrorism declaration.<\/p>\n
\"This type of declaration in and of itself is unprecedented,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Jiang, host of a glittering dinner on Saturday which
\nculminated in a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the
\nart-deco buildings of Shanghai's waterfront Bund, greeted leaders
\non Sunday at the wedge-shaped Science and Technology Museum.<\/p>\n
The museum was chosen to reflect APEC's emphasis on technology
\nand showcase China's economic prowess as it awaits entry into the
\nWorld Trade Organization, expected by year-end.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, Russia and China pressed for an early end to
\nattacks on Afghanistan after a meeting between Jiang and Putin,
\nadding to reservations expressed by predominantly Muslim
\nIndonesia and Malaysia.<\/p>\n
Bush urged APEC leaders to join forces against \"murderers with
\nglobal reach\".<\/p>\n
\"They seek weapons to kill on a global scale. Every nation now
\nmust oppose this enemy, or be in turn its target,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In a weekly radio address, Bush said APEC leaders were
\ndiscussing ways to better protect people against bioterrorism.<\/p>\n
APEC groups Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong
\nKong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New
\nGuinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea,
\nTaiwan, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.<\/p>",
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