Cooperation 'necessary' in terror fight

Cooperation 'necessary' in terror fight

JAKARTA: Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Marty
Natalegawa said on Monday unilateral actions against terror
suspects would harm the global war on terrorism.

He said that at the upcoming informal meeting of foreign
ministers of member states of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN), cooperation in the fight against terrorism would
be on the agenda.

ASEAN foreign ministers are to meet in Phnom Penh in January.

Marty said that although the meeting would be held against the
backdrop of worsening relations between ASEAN countries and
Australia, the meeting would not focus on statements from
Australia about preemptive strikes against terrorists in other
countries.

"The upcoming meeting will not directly respond to the
proposal of Australian Prime Minister John Howard," Marty said.

He underlined that ASEAN member countries would uphold the
United Nations charter ensuring the sovereignty of all states.
--Antara.