Vietnam says

Vietnam says
ASEM summit on track

VIETNAM: Vietnam said it is pushing ahead with preparations for a
Europe-Asia meeting in October that is beset with doubts because
of European opposition to the attendance of military-ruled
Myanmar.

The European Union (EU) wants to block Myanmar from the Asia-
Europe Meeting (ASEM) on Oct. 8-9 that Asian countries say should
also include Cambodia and Laos besides the 10 nations that
acceded to the EU on May 1.

"Preparation for ASEM 5 is being carried out actively and
urgently," a statement from Vietnam's Foreign Ministry spokesman
Le Dung said on Thursday.

"Most of the leaders of the member countries have accepted the
invitation to join the summit," he said. --Reuters

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ANPAu..r..
ASEAN-Thailand-Thanom-obit
Infamous Thai dictator Thanom dies aged 92
JP/9/ASEAN

Former Thai dictator
Thanom, 92, dies

THAILAND: One of the most controversial figures of modern Thai
history, former prime minister and coup leader Thanom
Kittikachorn, has died in Bangkok aged 92, hospital officials
said on Thursday.

The former field marshal and military strongman died on
Wednesday night of complications leading to heart failure after
undergoing brain surgery earlier this year, a Bangkok Hospital
official said.

Born on Aug. 11, 1911, Thanom rose through the ranks of the
Thai military before being briefly appointed as the country's
10th prime minister in 1958 during a period of authoritarian
military rule.

In 1963 Thonom was again placed in the country's top post, a
position he retained until 1973 when he stepped down following
his government's brutal suppression of student demonstrations.
--AFP

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ANPAu..r..
ASEAN-Malaysia-crime
Foreigners overcrowding Malaysian prisons: minister
JP/9/ASEAN

Foreigners flood
Malaysian prisons

MALAYSIA: The number of foreigners jailed in Malaysia is so high
that prisons are becoming overcrowded, a minister complained on
Thursday.

"We have built jails for Malaysians. Now there are more
foreign prisoners than Malaysians in our jails and lockups,"
Deputy Internal Security Minister Noh Omar told the Bernama news
agency.

From January to May this year a total of 65,737 foreigners
were arrested for various criminal offenses, including murder,
attempted murder, armed robbery and rape, he said.

"We should not view lightly the problems created by
foreigners. Previously they came for an honest living and jobs
were easily found. Now their numbers multiplied and illegal
immigrants are mostly involved in criminal activities," he said.
--AFP