RI, Malaysia model Moslem states: Expert<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR (Agencies): Strong economic growth in
\npredominantly Moslem Malaysia and Indonesia has proven that Islam
\nis not incompatible with rapid development, a U.S. military
\nofficial said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Vice chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff William Owens
\nsaid the booming economies and political stability of both
\ncountries showed that other Islamic nations could also pursue
\ndevelopment policies in harmony with religion.<\/p>\n
\"Southeast Asia's many positive values will enable it to lead
\nthe rest of the world through ASEAN,\" Owens was reported saying
\nby the Bernama news agency.<\/p>\n
Because Islam and free enterprise successfully coexist in
\nIndonesia, Owens asserted that the two can contribute to success
\nand prosperity for other Islamic nations.<\/p>\n
ASEAN groups Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the
\nPhilippines and Brunei.<\/p>\n
Owens said ASEAN could help find peaceful solutions to various
\ncrises, such as the territorial dispute over the Spratly Islands
\nin the South China Sea and the diplomatic tiff between Beijing
\nand Manila over Mischief Reef.<\/p>\n
Military<\/p>\n
The Spratlys, a long string of sparsely populated islands, are
\nclaimed wholly or in part by Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Malaysia,
\nthe Philippines and Brunei.<\/p>\n
Asked about Vietnam's entry into ASEAN, Owens said it was a
\ngood sign now that Vietnam is also experiencing an economic
\nexplosion similar to others in Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n
Owens is in the region to meet with civilian and military
\nleaders to discuss the U.S. commitment to ASEAN and issues of
\nmutual concern.<\/p>\n
Asked about the American presence in the Pacific, Owens said
\nthat he hoped it could help maintain stability in the region and
\nhelp deter other countries from building up military capabilities
\nfor purposes other than defense.<\/p>\n
He told reporters Monday that the U.S. navy planned to situate
\nits \"floating arsenal\" in two spots in the Indian and Pacific
\noceans.<\/p>\n
The commercial ships -- loaded with heavy arms as well as
\nhumanitarian and medical supplies for crisis situations -- would
\nbe located around Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and Guam in
\nthe Pacific Ocean, he said.<\/p>\n
The sites were chosen after Thailand rejected a proposal to
\nhouse the arsenal in its waters, saying it feared a negative
\nreaction from China, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-malaysia-model-moslem-states-expert-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}