Arroyo urged ASEAN to jointly combat terrorism
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Visiting Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called on ASEAN member countries on Tuesday to strengthen cooperation against terrorism by imposing stricter border controls and implementing emergency responses to the threat of terrorism.
Arroyo, in a speech delivered at the secretariat of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) here, stressed that all 10 members of ASEAN should combine in an all out effort to curb terrorism as it could jeopardize the livelihoods of the people in the region.
"Our stake in this is large," said Arroyo, in a 30-minute unprepared speech.
"... the impact of terrorism and criminality on investment, tourism and trade (will jeopardize) the people's livelihood, people's personal safety and the prospects for early economic recovery," she noted.
Encouraging members of ASEAN to join hands with the Philippines in implementing emergency responses to terrorist, she said:
"I invite (Indonesia) and other member nations (of ASEAN) to the Philippines ... to hold simulation games on emergency responses to terrorist threats."
In her 30-minute off-the-cuff speech, Arroyo also called for enhanced economic cooperation in response to the prolonged economic woes that have plagued the region over the past four years.
"Our response to renewed economic adversity should be to deepen further the economic integration of our region," Arroyo said, noting that a more integrated ASEAN economy meant "maintaining, if not accelerating further, the timetable for the ASEAN Free Trade Area, identifying impediments to trade and investment, and removing them."
Arroyo was visiting the ASEAN secretariat at the end of her two-day state visit to Indonesia. After concluding her speech, the Philippine president awarded ASEAN Secretary-General Rudolfo Serevino the Philippines' Ancient Order of Sakatana Rajah medal for his services in helping solidify the regional grouping.
On Monday, Arroyo and President Megawati Soekarnoputri agreed to organize joint naval patrols to prevent illicit arms trafficking and other transnational crimes such as drug and people smuggling.
U.S. officials have applauded Arroyo's attempts to encourage cooperation among ASEAN member countries against such crimes.
The Philippines has become a significant agent in fighting terrorism in the region as the Manila government has gone through thick and thin combating the militant Moro Islamic Liberation Front which wants to set up a separate state in the southern Philippines.
On Wednesday, Arroyo will fly to the U.S. where she had been scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly on Friday before returning to Manila.
Her stay in the U.S., however, will be extended until next Tuesday as she is to meet with President George W.Bush.
After visiting the ASEAN secretariat, Arroyo paid a courtesy call on People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais at the Assembly building.
During the meeting, Arroyo reiterated her country's commitment to backing Indonesia's stance regarding national sovereignty and national integrity
Arroyo, dressed in purple and accompanied by several members of her delegation, also told Amien about the Philippine experience in restoring its economy.
"She told the Indonesian government to seriously consider any suggestions from the International Monetary Fund concerning financial matters," Amien, quoting Arroyo, told journalists.