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.