Antiterrorism talks to be held

Antiterrorism talks to be held

TOKYO (AFP): Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) will hold a forum to discuss antiterrorism
measures in Tokyo next week, the Japanese foreign ministry said
yesterday.

During the two-day meeting starting Tuesday, Japanese and
ASEAN authorities will discuss possible cooperation in case of
terrorist attacks in the region, ministry officials said.

The forum was proposed by Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto
during his visit to member countries of the regional group in
January.

Hashimoto made the proposal in the aftermath of the four-month
hostage crisis at the Japanese ambassador's official residence in
the Peruvian capital, Lima, which began in December. In June,
Japan and ASEAN established a network to exchange information on
terrorism.