ASEAN to seek common platform in fighting terrorism

ASEAN to seek common platform in fighting terrorism

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Member countries of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations
(ASEAN) will likely agree to join forces to fight terrorism in
the region, but are differing on how to do so.

Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam have hinted at
supporting a proposal tabled earlier by the Philippines on the
establishment of a counter terrorism center in the region, but
Indonesia remained wary of the role and authority of such a
center.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Marty Natalegawa said on
Friday that a string of terrorist attacks in the region had put
ASEAN under the world's spotlight.

"This is the time for ASEAN to answer security questions
together and prove that solidarity among member countries remains
strong," he said.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ASEAN political and security
affairs director Gary Yusuf said Friday that Jakarta was still
waiting for details of the plan, saying the center should uphold
the sovereignty of each member country.

"The idea was discussed during the ASEAN ministerial meeting
in May, but Indonesia is yet to respond to the suggestion made by
the Philippines," Gary said.

He added that it was not immediately clear about the
authorities and duties of such a center, including, for instance,
sending troops to other countries.

"But I predict that in the coming summit, the Philippines and
Malaysia will push for the suggestion."

Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia have signed
agreements on sharing intelligence information, with Cambodia
likely entering the same agreement in the upcoming summit.

The foreign ministry director for inter-regional partnership
Sugeng Rahardjo said Friday that at the summit, scheduled for
Monday and Tuesday, ASEAN leaders were expected to sign at least
three documents.

"The documents are ASEAN tourism declaration, ASEAN and China
free trade zone, and another joint statement between ASEAN and
India," Sugeng said.

"It would be a great timing after the Bali tragedy to enhance
cooperation in the tourism industry," Sugeng said.

India would be joining the summit for the first time to
explore more cooperation in technology and to strengthen security
in the region, he added.

ASEAN members would also discuss a free trade zone, an ASEAN
investment area and tariff facilities for business enterprises
operating in several ASEAN member countries.

Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri would be among the
heads of states gathering in Cambodia, together with leaders from
China, Japan, South Korea, India and South Africa.

"South Africa would participate as chairman of the African
Union," the official said.