Perth to host Indian Ocean meeting

Perth to host Indian Ocean meeting

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Australia said yesterday it has drawn up a
list of 37 nations to be invited to a meeting it was hosting in
June to discuss South Africa's plan for an Indian Ocean trade and
security grouping.

"We have identified 37 countries. It depends ... if all will
turn up," Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans told reporters
here.

Evans, concluding a four-day visit to Malaysia, said the
meeting in Perth in the middle of June would not have a specific
agenda.

"At this stage we want to let ideas bloom," Evans said.

"We don't want to be prescriptive or impose or suggest any
model. That's at a later stage," he added.

Evans did not list the potential participants for the meeting
but Australian officials said Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and
the Gulf states were among those most likely to attend.

The officials said invitations will be out in March for the
conference, which was expected to feature prominent government
and business representatives.

Malaysia said last week it was agreeable to the Indian Ocean
grouping provided it did not evolve into a trade bloc.

"We are supportive of the plan as long as it does not lead to
protectionist measures," Abdul Halim Ali, deputy secretary-
general of the foreign ministry, said after South African Deputy
President F.W. de Klerk held talks with Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad on the plan.

Evans did not comment on Malaysia's concerns but said
Australia was confident it would not inhibit the Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which he considered the
ultimate grouping for the region.

"APEC is the main game for the region and it should be
maintained," Evans said.

APEC groups Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong
Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New
Zealand, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Taiwan,
Thailand and the United States.

Evans said Australia was keen to explore the level of
cooperation possible in the Indian Ocean plan.

"We see it as a triangle ranging from South Africa to India
and Australia and we can discuss things like trade and economy,
security and issues like environment, health and refugees," he
said.