SE Asian crisis to be debated at APEC forum

SE Asian crisis to be debated at APEC forum

MANILA (AFP): The currency crisis affecting Southeast Asia
and environmental threats such as the El Nio atmospheric
phenomenon will be among topics raised by the United States
during the APEC leaders forum in Canada next month, a U.S.
official said yesterday.

John Wolf, U.S. coordinator for APEC, the Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation forum made these remarks in an international
satellite hook-up from Washington which was broadcast here.

"Because of pressing regional issues like the Southeast Asian
financial crisis, the Vancouver Leaders' Meeting may end up being
quite different from the four previous APEC Leaders' Meetings,"
Wolf said.

"They are not just about long-term vision, long-term planning.
They are real issues," he added.

"Through the involvement of the APEC finance ministers, we are
looking at how APEC can help promote or restore financial
stability in Southeast Asia," Wolf said.