Regional, int'l cooperation to fight terrorism

Regional, int'l cooperation to fight terrorism

Two things are top priorities for Indonesia now: (i) to arrest
and expose the perpetrators and mastermind of the bomb blasts in
Bali on Oct. 12, and (ii) to draw up a clear anti-terrorism
policy.

The second priority is also concerned with international
cooperation against terrorism as called for by the Philippine
president and the prime minister of Thailand. A regional
conference must be held to mobilize a regional front against
terrorism. In this respect, ASEAN leaders will meet to discuss
this matter before their Oct. 26 and 27 APEC summit meeting in
Mexico.

Naturally, ASEAN leaders are very concerned with fighting
terrorism because the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001 has led
to more terrorists acts in the region such as kidnappings in the
Philippines and the recent bomb blasts in Bali. These acts hamper
the region's economic recovery and welfare programs.

In the context of fighting terrorism, Indonesia seems to be
the weakest link because of the lack of clarity in its efforts to
eradicate terrorism. The result is the tragic incident in Bali.
In this respect, Indonesia has been severely criticized because
of its lack of firmness in the fight against terrorism has
brought about unfavorable sentiment to the regional and global
markets.

The United Nations has called for global cooperation to
eradicate the specter of terrorism. Global cooperation will
ensure that the fight against terrorism will be waged in earnest
as a concerted effort without harming any country's sovereignty.

-- Kompas, Jakarta