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.