Arroyo urges ASEAN to jointly combat terrorism<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Visiting Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called on
\nASEAN member countries on Tuesday to strengthen cooperation
\nagainst terrorism by imposing stricter border controls and
\nimplementing emergency responses to the threat of terrorism.<\/p>\n
Arroyo, in a speech delivered at the secretariat of the
\nAssociation of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) here, stressed
\nthat all 10 members of ASEAN should combine in an all out effort
\nto curb terrorism as it could jeopardize the livelihoods of the
\npeople in the region.<\/p>\n
\"Our stake in this is large,\" said Arroyo, in a 30-minute
\nunprepared speech.<\/p>\n
\"... the impact of terrorism and criminality on investment,
\ntourism and trade (will jeopardize) the people's livelihood,
\npeople's personal safety and the prospects for early economic
\nrecovery,\" she noted.<\/p>\n
Encouraging members of ASEAN to join hands with the
\nPhilippines in implementing emergency responses to terrorist, she
\nsaid:<\/p>\n
\"I invite (Indonesia) and other member nations (of ASEAN) to
\nthe Philippines ... to hold simulation games on emergency
\nresponses to terrorist threats.\"<\/p>\n
In her 30-minute off-the-cuff speech, Arroyo also called for
\nenhanced economic cooperation in response to the prolonged
\neconomic woes that have plagued the region over the past four
\nyears.<\/p>\n
\"Our response to renewed economic adversity should be to
\ndeepen further the economic integration of our region,\" Arroyo
\nsaid, noting that a more integrated ASEAN economy meant
\n\"maintaining, if not accelerating further, the timetable for the
\nASEAN Free Trade Area, identifying impediments to trade and
\ninvestment, and removing them.\"<\/p>\n
Arroyo was visiting the ASEAN secretariat at the end of her
\ntwo-day state visit to Indonesia. After concluding her speech,
\nthe Philippine president awarded ASEAN Secretary-General Rudolfo
\nSerevino the Philippines' Ancient Order of Sakatana Rajah medal
\nfor his services in helping solidify the regional grouping.<\/p>\n
On Monday, Arroyo and President Megawati Soekarnoputri agreed
\nto organize joint naval patrols to prevent illicit arms
\ntrafficking and other transnational crimes such as drug and
\npeople smuggling.<\/p>\n
U.S. officials have applauded Arroyo's attempts to encourage
\ncooperation among ASEAN member countries against such crimes.<\/p>\n
The Philippines has become a significant agent in fighting
\nterrorism in the region as the Manila government has gone through
\nthick and thin combating the militant Moro Islamic Liberation
\nFront which wants to set up a separate state in the southern
\nPhilippines.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Arroyo will fly to the U.S. where she had been
\nscheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly on
\nFriday before returning to Manila.<\/p>\n
Her stay in the U.S., however, will be extended until next
\nTuesday as she is to meet with President George W.Bush.<\/p>\n
After visiting the ASEAN secretariat, Arroyo paid a courtesy
\ncall on People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais
\nat the Assembly building.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, Arroyo reiterated her country's commitment
\nto backing Indonesia's stance regarding national sovereignty and
\nnational integrity<\/p>\n
Arroyo, dressed in purple and accompanied by several members
\nof her delegation, also told Amien about the Philippine
\nexperience in restoring its economy.<\/p>\n
\"She told the Indonesian government to seriously consider any
\nsuggestions from the International Monetary Fund concerning
\nfinancial matters,\" Amien, quoting Arroyo, told journalists.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/arroyo-urges-asean-to-jointly-combat-terrorism-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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