Estrada urges ASEAN to discuss problems freely<\/p>\n
MANILA (Reuters): Philippine President Joseph Estrada asked
\nthe Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries on
\nWednesday to discuss their problems freely and find solutions to
\nrestore the region's financial health.<\/p>\n
Estrada also urged the United States to pour more funds to the
\nInternational Monetary Fund, World Bank and the Asian Development
\nBank to contain the financial crisis.<\/p>\n
\"Let us open to one another and freely and candidly exchange
\nviews no matter how controversial the issues are,\" Estrada said
\nin a speech at the opening ceremony in Manila of the 30th ASEAN
\neconomic ministers meeting.<\/p>\n
\"Only by being open can we truly appreciate what unites or
\ndivides us,\" he added. \"Only by talking freely and candidly can
\nwe rise, build and prosper together.\"<\/p>\n
ASEAN has had a long-standing policy of non-interference.
\nControversial issues such as human rights in Myanmar are either
\nignored or treated with circumspection.<\/p>\n
The Philippines and Thailand had been pressing for a franker
\napproach to discussing regional problems following a year-long
\nregional financial crisis that resulted in rising unemployment
\nand shrinking economies.<\/p>\n
Estrada made the appeal just days after saying Filipinos
\nshould sympathize with the plight of sacked former Malaysian
\ndeputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, who has been detained by
\nMalaysian police for alleged corruption and sodomy. Anwar denies
\nall accusations.<\/p>\n
But Estrada, who considers Anwar a personal friend, did not
\nmention Anwar or Malaysia in his speech.<\/p>\n
ASEAN members attending Wednesday's meeting studiously avoided
\nthe subject of Anwar, who appeared in court recently with a neck
\nbrace and black eye.<\/p>\n
\"That subject wasn't discussed at this meeting,\" Rudolfo
\nSeverino, ASEAN's secretary-general told Reuters.<\/p>\n
Philippine Trade and Industry secretary Jose Pardo told
\nReuters both he and Estrada have conveyed their concern about
\nAnwar to the Malaysian government.<\/p>\n
And Pardo described the pro-reform Anwar as \"a friend\".
\n\"It was a personal expression of concern by the president, a
\npersonal expression of concern over a friend,\" Pardo said of
\nEstrada's message to Malaysia.<\/p>\n
But he stressed that Estrada will still attend the Asia-
\nPacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) in Kuala Lumpur in mid-
\nNovember, and emphasized that Malaysia remains very much a part
\nof ASEAN, a 31-year old group dedicated to this region's
\nstability and development.<\/p>\n
In his speech on Wednesday, Estrada also asked the United
\nStates to pour more resources into helping countries severely
\naffected by the economic upheaval.<\/p>\n
\"It is now clear that the resources of these institutions,
\nparticularly the IMF, are frighteningly insufficient,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"It is our hope that the countries which are in a position to
\ndo so, especially the United States, will soon make available
\ntheir share in the capitalization of the IMF and lend support for
\nincreasing funds of the World Bank and the Asian Development
\nBank.\"<\/p>\n
ASEAN countries, on their own, must also continue to take
\nappropriate measures to put their houses back in order, Estrada
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"Let us resolve to work together to restore financial
\nstability by reforming and strengthening our respective banking
\nsystems,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Estrada said ASEAN countries must also maintain
\ninternationally viable foreign exchange rates.<\/p>\n
ASEAN groups Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the
\nPhilippines, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Brunei.<\/p>",
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