ASEAN summit to tackle terrorism, economic woes
ASEAN summit to tackle terrorism, economic woes
Associated Press, Jakarta
Terrorism and fears of a worldwide economic slowdown will top the agenda when Southeast Asian leaders meet next month, the region's most senior official said on Wednesday.
"The urgency of the terrorism problem and the issue of economic competitiveness will mark the next summit," said Rodolfo Severino, secretary general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Following the Sept. 11 attacks in New York and Washington, several Southeast Asian leaders have called for increased regional cooperation in combating terrorist groups within the 10- nation grouping that will meet in the oil-rich sultanate of Brunei in November.
They include Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
"What happened on Sept. 11 has made the world notice this problem that we have been facing for a long time," Severino said in an interview at ASEAN's headquarters in Jakarta.
"In the past it has been regarded as a problem of the nations concerned, but perhaps now the international community will be willing to do more to help," he said.
Under a Philippine proposal, ASEAN nations would share intelligence on terrorist activities and keep tighter control over their borders to stop the movement of weapons and terrorists.
In Manila, Vice President Teofisto Guingona said the government had drafted an anti-terrorism declaration which it will propose for adoption at the Brunei summit to "symbolize ASEAN solidarity."
"It will be a statement of the things we can do individually and collectively without need of any new policies," Guingona said Wednesday.
He pointed out that a declaration is "easier to achieve" than a formal agreement which would require lengthy legislative approval in some countries.
Analysts have warned that groups with Afghan mujahedeen connections have formed a loose network within Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.
They say the ultimate goal of militant groups is to destabilize the region and carve out a Muslim homeland.
Severino said the Nov. 5-6 summit will also focus on ways to forge a closer economic partnership in order to overcome a looming global recession and challenges posed by tougher competition from China, India and South America's Mercosur trading bloc.
ASEAN already plans to create a unified investment zone by eliminating restrictions on foreign investments, bringing down tariffs, improving transportation links and streamlining bureaucratic procedures.
"There is no doubt in people's minds that we have to push ahead faster with regional economic integration," Severino said.
He noted that several positive developments, such as the resolution of leadership crises in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand would also help restore investor confidence.
"It eliminates the element of uncertainty, which investors abhor," Severino said.
At their annual meeting, ASEAN heads of government will review progress on infrastructure projects designed to bind together their economies and those of neighboring countries.
These include a century-old scheme to build a railroad to link Singapore with southern China and - via the Trans-Siberian Railway - to Europe.
The line, first proposed by Malaysia's Mahathir in 1995, would snake through five ASEAN member states and would have branches to connect it to two more.
Severino said a feasibility study had been completed and the routes agreed upon.
"The idea now is to have specific projects that would be embodied in national development plans and (be financed) by governments, private investors and international institutions," he said.