Asean help in terror fight sought

A coordinated fight against terrorism is the key to stability in Southeast Asia.

President Arroyo yesterday urged other Southeast Asian countries to support the global war on terrorism, saying that "only by aggressively going after terrorists can the world feel safe from the heartache and tragedy they leave in their wake."

The President made this statement at the concluding session of the two day Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Japan Commemorative Summit.

She said the Philippines has waged an all-out war on terrorism and has regulated terrorist networks in the region by working with its regional allies.

According to her, there are new threats of international terrorism and trading in weapons of mass destruction. These threats, the President said, can be controlled effectively if the nations of Southeast Asia will increase cooperation in a collective anti-terrorism effort.

Mrs. Arroyo also asked the Japanese government to help in the development of countries like the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia.

This development assistance, she said, would greatly benefit the various infrastructure programs and investment inflows of these developing nations.

Several terrorist groups, including the Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines and the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) in Indonesia, foment Islamic extremism and conduct terrorist activities.

Both the Abu Sayyaf and the JI have been linked with Saudi billionaire Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda terrorist network. — Mayen Jaymalin