ASEAN needed on UN peacekeeping

ASEAN needed on UN peacekeeping

TOKYO (AFP): Japan will propose to establish a committee to discuss regional cooperation on UN peacekeeping operations at the upcoming ASEAN Regional Forum in Brunei, a newspaper said yesterday.

The committee would consist of high-ranking officials from members of the forum and be chaired by Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Nihon Keizai Shimbun said, quoting Japanese government sources.

Committee members would hold talks on UN peacekeeping operations, including possible reform measures concerning their participation in UN missions, the daily said. The committee will also discuss the handling of natural disasters and international naval traffic.

Japan, which has already sounded out ASEAN Regional Forum members on the committee, will make its official proposal at the Brunei meeting scheduled for August, it said.