APEC leaders condemn terrorism

APEC leaders condemn terrorism

Andrew Browne, Reuters, Shanghai

Pacific Rim leaders condemned the Sept. 11 hijack attacks on Sunday and vowed to limit the economic damage but stopped short of backing U.S.-led strikes on Afghanistan or naming Washington's prime suspect Osama bin Laden.

In an unprecedented move the leaders of the 21-member Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum agreed to fight terrorism with specific measures, including enhanced airport security and financial controls.

"We condemned in the strongest terms the attacks as an affront to peace, prosperity and the security of all people, of all faiths, of every nation," Chinese President Jiang Zemin declared at the end of the two-day summit in his country's financial capital.

The leaders issued a broader economic declaration as well as their anti-terrorism statement, which was the first major political declaration in the 12-year history of a grouping founded to promote free trade and regional economies.

"The current downturn has tempered the short term outlook for the region and the downturn risks have been increased by the impact of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on September 11," Jiang said, summarizing the leaders' views of the global economic downturn and the suicide attacks.

The Chinese leader, who spoke in English, was wearing a red silk jacket. Behind him stood the other APEC leaders -- including U.S. President George W. Bush and Russia's Vladimir Putin -- all in similar jackets in vivid crimson, blue, brown or green.

On day two of APEC summits, leaders traditionally wear a jacket or shirt reflecting the host country's culture and style.

The declaration against terrorism still offered no support for the U.S.-led strikes against Afghanistan and avoided direct reference to the Saudi-born bin Laden, viewed by Washington as the mastermind behind the September attacks.

But it did say the leaders "unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms" the hijack attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon which have rocked the U.S. economy and sent tremors through Asian countries that rely on U.S. export markets.

It expressed deepest sympathy to the United States before calling for "increased cooperation to bring perpetrators to justice" and pledging a coordinated crackdown on groups involved in terrorism by choking off their funds, stepping up electronic surveillance of travelers and tightening customs controls.

The statement also called for beefed-up security at airports and ports and on board aircraft.

Sean McCormack, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, told Reuters the United States was satisfied with the anti-terrorism declaration.

"This type of declaration in and of itself is unprecedented," he said.

Jiang, host of a glittering dinner on Saturday which culminated in a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the art-deco buildings of Shanghai's waterfront Bund, greeted leaders on Sunday at the wedge-shaped Science and Technology Museum.

The museum was chosen to reflect APEC's emphasis on technology and showcase China's economic prowess as it awaits entry into the World Trade Organization, expected by year-end.

On Saturday, Russia and China pressed for an early end to attacks on Afghanistan after a meeting between Jiang and Putin, adding to reservations expressed by predominantly Muslim Indonesia and Malaysia.

Bush urged APEC leaders to join forces against "murderers with global reach".

"They seek weapons to kill on a global scale. Every nation now must oppose this enemy, or be in turn its target," he said.

In a weekly radio address, Bush said APEC leaders were discussing ways to better protect people against bioterrorism.

APEC groups Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.