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.