Estrada urges ASEAN to discuss problems freely
Estrada urges ASEAN to discuss problems freely
MANILA (Reuters): Philippine President Joseph Estrada asked
the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries on
Wednesday to discuss their problems freely and find solutions to
restore the region's financial health.
Estrada also urged the United States to pour more funds to the
International Monetary Fund, World Bank and the Asian Development
Bank to contain the financial crisis.
"Let us open to one another and freely and candidly exchange
views no matter how controversial the issues are," Estrada said
in a speech at the opening ceremony in Manila of the 30th ASEAN
economic ministers meeting.
"Only by being open can we truly appreciate what unites or
divides us," he added. "Only by talking freely and candidly can
we rise, build and prosper together."
ASEAN has had a long-standing policy of non-interference.
Controversial issues such as human rights in Myanmar are either
ignored or treated with circumspection.
The Philippines and Thailand had been pressing for a franker
approach to discussing regional problems following a year-long
regional financial crisis that resulted in rising unemployment
and shrinking economies.
Estrada made the appeal just days after saying Filipinos
should sympathize with the plight of sacked former Malaysian
deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, who has been detained by
Malaysian police for alleged corruption and sodomy. Anwar denies
all accusations.
But Estrada, who considers Anwar a personal friend, did not
mention Anwar or Malaysia in his speech.
ASEAN members attending Wednesday's meeting studiously avoided
the subject of Anwar, who appeared in court recently with a neck
brace and black eye.
"That subject wasn't discussed at this meeting," Rudolfo
Severino, ASEAN's secretary-general told Reuters.
Philippine Trade and Industry secretary Jose Pardo told
Reuters both he and Estrada have conveyed their concern about
Anwar to the Malaysian government.
And Pardo described the pro-reform Anwar as "a friend".
"It was a personal expression of concern by the president, a
personal expression of concern over a friend," Pardo said of
Estrada's message to Malaysia.
But he stressed that Estrada will still attend the Asia-
Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) in Kuala Lumpur in mid-
November, and emphasized that Malaysia remains very much a part
of ASEAN, a 31-year old group dedicated to this region's
stability and development.
In his speech on Wednesday, Estrada also asked the United
States to pour more resources into helping countries severely
affected by the economic upheaval.
"It is now clear that the resources of these institutions,
particularly the IMF, are frighteningly insufficient," he said.
"It is our hope that the countries which are in a position to
do so, especially the United States, will soon make available
their share in the capitalization of the IMF and lend support for
increasing funds of the World Bank and the Asian Development
Bank."
ASEAN countries, on their own, must also continue to take
appropriate measures to put their houses back in order, Estrada
said.
"Let us resolve to work together to restore financial
stability by reforming and strengthening our respective banking
systems," he said.
Estrada said ASEAN countries must also maintain
internationally viable foreign exchange rates.
ASEAN groups Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the
Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Brunei.