ASEM backs stepped up UN role<\/p>\n
Associated Press, Hanoi<\/p>\n
Asian and European leaders endorsed a stronger role for the
\nUnited Nations and a multilateral approach to issues including
\nterrorism, regional security and trade as their two-day summit
\ndrew to a close in Hanoi on Saturday.<\/p>\n
While the leaders emphasized their unity in a joint communique
\nissued at the meeting's end, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) forum
\nhas been overshadowed by the European Union's objections to new
\nmember Myanmar and its poor human rights record.<\/p>\n
In the statement, the leaders said the United Nations should
\ntake a central role in confronting the challenges of terrorism,
\nthe proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and
\nglobalization.<\/p>\n
Condemning terrorist attacks in Indonesia, Spain and Russia,
\nthe leaders \"stressed that the fight against terrorism requires a
\ncomprehensive approach, collective efforts and international
\ncooperation where the United Nations plays the leading role,\" the
\nstatement said.<\/p>\n
The forum also urged \"accelerated reform\" of the United
\nNations and its Security Council to increase the world body's
\neffectiveness.<\/p>\n
The two days of closed sessions covered a wide range of
\nissues, including Myanmar's human rights record, North Korea's
\nnuclear weapons program, and Iraq's instability.<\/p>\n
Declarations were also released on forming closer economic
\npartnerships. Vietnam and the EU concluded a bilateral trade
\naccord Saturday, giving Hanoi a major boost in its bid to join
\nthe World Trade Organization by next year.<\/p>\n
In its final nine-page statement, the forum urged Myanmar's
\nruling junta to lift restrictions on political parties and allow
\nan open debate about democratic reform.<\/p>\n
The EU and Asian nations were deadlocked for months over
\nMyanmar's participation at the summit, with the EU strongly
\nobjecting to human rights abuses by Myanmar's military junta and
\nits detention of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.<\/p>\n
A last-minute compromise allowed Myanmar to be represented by
\na lower-level delegation but the EU imposed a deadline for the
\ncountry's military rulers to release Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace
\nlaureate, from house arrest by this past Friday, or face further
\npolitical and economic sanctions.<\/p>\n
There has been no response from Myanmar about the deadline.<\/p>\n
The joint statement also referred to Asian and European
\nconcern over the illicit trade related to nuclear material and
\nrepeated \"strong resolve not to allow WMD and their means of
\ndelivery to fall into terrorist hands\".<\/p>\n
It expressed support for a peaceful resolution of the dispute
\nover North Korea's nuclear weapons programs. Other challenges
\ninclude environmental degradation and climate change, the spread
\nof infectious diseases, and the negative impact of globalization,
\nthe forum said.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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