Ramos should reverse ban

President Fidel Ramos of the Philippines wants the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next month to be dignified and safe. But he also seems to want it to be boring. Gen. Ramos has approved a blacklist that bars around 100 foreigners from the Philippines during the summit, which begins Nov. 25th.

This blacklist, far from being a security document, is aimed at outspoken advocates of various political stripes. Most of them are dignified, many are elderly and none pose a threat, either to the Philippines' national security or the safety of the 18 national leaders who are to meet at Subic Bay.

According to Ramos, the temporary bans are in the Philippines' national interest. To be blunt, they are to protect the thin skins of some of Gen. Ramos' guests.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Jose Ramos Horta is banned because he is an advocate for an independent East Timor, and Indonesia's President Soeharto is against that. Danielle Mitterand, the widow of the former French president, is an outspoken human rights advocate who might speak on Tibet. Bishop Alosisius Nobuo-Suma of Japan is outspoken for the rights of foreign workers in Japan, and his ban will prevent -- among others -- Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa or his successor from being criticized.

None of the people on the blacklist has threatened to use violence or indicated that he or she intends even to directly approach any of the summit participants. Filipino and other human rights supporters had planned to hold conferences and workshops at the same time as the APEC summit.

These meetings will be publicized, including by some members of the foreign press. President Ramos and members of the Philippines government do not want that to happen.

The decision to restrict peaceful protest, even by foreigners, serves the Philippines poorly. President Ramos would do well to rethink his strategy. It would be far better if the Philippines welcomed peaceful protesters during the APEC summit.

As the host, it would not even be amiss for the Philippines leader to meet with some of the dissidents to get their input. That would better illustrate the policy of the Philippines to build a democratic nation, ASEAN and Asia-Pacific region.

-- The Bangkok Post