Southeast Asia must fight terrorism threat: Thai FM
Southeast Asia must fight terrorism threat: Thai FM
Agence France-Presse, Bangkok
Southeast Asian states must do their utmost to fight terrorism and ensure it does not sink regional economies, Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said on Wednesday at the opening of an anti-terror workshop.
"A common path of solidarity is being pursued within this highly diversified region," Surakiart said of the global terrorism threat that has surfaced in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States.
"We must not let the threat of terrorism destroy our livelihood nor let this scourge disrupt our economies and markets."
The workshop, aimed at improving security strategies and regional cooperation, is being held under the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum (ARF), the region's top security grouping.
"The ARF must take on the challenge of international terrorism," Surakiart said. "We have to do whatever we can, individually and collectively, to counter that threat. No nation can do it alone."
The three-day workshop co-hosted by Australia gathers some 80 law enforcement personnel from 22 countries plus the European Union.
They will focus on immigration cooperation, law enforcement, travel-document fraud, and security measures for leaders and international meetings, Thai officials said.
The workshop is also to address security considerations for travel ahead of and during football's World Cup which kicks off in South Korea next month.
"We need to ensure that these international events and conferences, which are often hosted by ARF countries, do not become hostage to terrorist threats or attacks," Surakiart said.
Washington has warned that Southeast Asia must be on guard for terrorist groups that could use the region as a jumping-off point.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly expressed concern last week that figures linked with terrorist groups like al-Qaeda, the network of alleged Sept. 11 mastermind Osama bin Laden, could see the region as a safe haven.
Dozens of alleged Islamic militants have been arrested in Singapore, the Philippines and Malaysia since last year's attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon which killed over 3,000 people.
Miles Kupa, Australia's ambassador to Thailand, told the workshop that the arrests in Singapore provided "a clear and unwelcome indication that terrorists are willing to operate from and conduct attacks in our region."
ARF consists of ASEAN countries Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
It also includes Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, North and South Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Russia, the United States and the European Union.