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.