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Arroyo Urges ASEAN to Jointly Combat Terrorism
By Kazi Mahmood
JAKARTA, Nov. 14 (IslamOnline) - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called on ASEAN member countries on Tuesday to strengthen cooperation against terrorism by imposing stricter border controls and implementing emergency responses to the threat of terrorism.
Arroyo, in a speech delivered at the secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, stressed that all 10 ASEAN members should combine in an all out effort to curb terrorism, saying terrorism could jeopardize the livelihoods of people in the region.
"Our stake in this is large. The impact of terrorism and criminality on investment, tourism and trade [will jeopardize] the people's livelihood, people's personal safety and the prospects for early economic recovery," she noted.
"I invite [Indonesia] and other member nations [of ASEAN] to the Philippines ... to hold simulation games on emergency responses to terrorist threats," she added.
On Monday, Arroyo and Indonesia's President Megawati Sukarnoputri agreed to organize joint naval patrols to prevent illicit arms trafficking and other transnational crimes such as drug and people smuggling.
U.S. officials have applauded Arroyo's attempts to encourage cooperation among ASEAN member countries against such crimes.
The Philippines has become a significant agent in fighting terrorism in the region as the Manila government has combated the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which wants to set up a separate state in the southern Philippines.
On Wednesday, Arroyo will fly to the U.S. where she is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly on Friday before returning to Manila.
Her stay in the U.S., however, will be extended until next Tuesday, as she is to meet with President George W. Bush.
After visiting the ASEAN secretariat, Arroyo paid a courtesy call on People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais at the Assembly building.
During the meeting, Arroyo reiterated her country's commitment to backing Indonesia's stance regarding national sovereignty and national integrity
Arroyo, dressed in purple and accompanied by several members of her delegation, also told Amien about the Philippine experience in restoring its economy.
"She told the Indonesian government to seriously consider any suggestions from the International Monetary Fund concerning financial matters," Amien, quoting Arroyo, told journalists.
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