PRESS RELEASE
Department of Foreign Affairs
2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                *             Tel. No. 834-4000               *              www.dfa.gov.ph
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. 303
19 June 2003, Phnom Penh, ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference (PMC)

R.P. TAKES LEAD IN DISCUSSING INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM;
U.S., RUSSIA, OTHER PARTICIPANTS CONCUR WITH R.P.’S VIEWS

The issue of international terrorism was taken up once again in an ASEAN meeting in Phnom Penh, but this time with the Philippines being tasked with taking the lead in discussing the issue.

Prior to today’s meeting of ASEAN with its ten dialogue partners for what is known as the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference or ASEAN-PMC, the ASEAN foreign ministers met for two days (16-17 June), followed by their meeting with the other participants of the ASEAN Regional Forum (18 June).  The Philippines had actively participated in the discussions on terrorism during these prior meetings, but took the lead during the ASEAN-PMC today. The ten ASEAN dialogue partners are: Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States.

After Secretary Ople made his remarks, US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, as well as other foreign ministers, acknowledged the actions that had been taken by the Philippines in fighting terrorism and in fostering greater global cooperation on the war against terror.

In responding to the remarks of Secretary Ople, Secretary Powell expressed the deep appreciation of the American people for the important leadership role that has been shown by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the global fight against terrorism.  Secretary Powell said that the Philippines is successfully fighting terrorism not only in the Philippines but also in the region and the rest of the world.

The Secretary started his discussion by commenting on the ASEAN Post-Ministerial process.  He said that this means that the ASEAN sits down in friendship with its 10 dialogue partners from the region and from other parts of the world.  “Most of the dialogue partners represent key nations in global politics and economy.  What we have established is a process that may be of great value to our common cause of peace, freedom and stability not only in Southeast Asia but throughout the world.  Our concern is to see that this process is made more meaningful, more effective in terms of results,” the Secretary told the meeting.

Secretary Ople gave brief overview of the issue by saying that international terrorism is the worst scourge visited on humanity since German and Japanese fascism inflicted its cruelties on the peoples of Europe and Asia in World War II.  He said that now the terrorists are plotting the ruin of civilization itself – by attacking the very foundations of world order, law, and stability.

He said that “by pitting one religious faith against another, they are sowing the seeds of hatred that someday can ignite a clash of civilizations and perhaps the grim scenario of World War III.  It is therefore supremely important that this scourge be checked now in every front where terrorism threatens us all.”

The Secretary also mentioned that with regard to the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group in Southern Philippines, their strength has been downgraded to just a handful of desperate stragglers in the mountains of Sulu.   “From being a terrorist lair, the island province of Basilan is now emerging as a showcase of peace and development.  Basilan has been completely liberated from the Abu Sayyaf.  The end of the Abu Sayyaf is near, very near.  In this respect, we gratefully acknowledge the help of the United States whose troops train with our forces in accordance with the terms of the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951 and the Visiting Forces of Agreement of 1998, although they are not allowed any combat role under the Philippine Constitution,” the Secretary said.

“Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines have also signed the Trilateral Agreement on Information Exchange and Establishment of Communications Procedures in May last year in response to terrorist threats.  Cambodia and Thailand acceded to it in August and November 2002, respectively.  We urge the rest of ASEAN member countries to accede as well so that we can put up a united front against this common threat,” the Secretary added.  He further said that ASEAN has held several conferences and simulation games on terrorism to test our readiness to counter terrorist threats and our emergency response to terrorist attacks and that strong attendance in all these activities show our resolve to combat international terrorism in all its forms.

“But despite our collaborative efforts and global war against terrorism, bombings continue to occur in our region and elsewhere, with deadly blasts occurring in Indonesia and the Philippines, and in Saudi Arabia and Morocco more recently.   In Southern Philippines, bombings attributed to terrorists with links to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have claimed dozens of lives of innocent civilians and disrupted business activities in many parts of Mindanao.  The Philippines has yet to totally vanquish the Abu Sayaff group believed to have links with the Jemaah Islamiyah, which has a network in Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.  I need not elaborate on the atrocities and kidnapping activities perpetrated by the Abu Sayaff, as they are known worldwide,” the Secretary informed the meeting.

The Secretary also expressed the desire of ASEAN to reinforce collaboration with its Dialogue Partners particularly in the areas of capacity building and training activities to upgrade the expertise of our law enforcement agencies and enable them to respond more effectively to terrorist threats.

He urged the ASEAN Dialogue Partners to consider the Work Programme of the ASEAN Plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crime and identify for themselves areas in which they can cooperate closely with ASEAN and to strengthen collaboration to combat this global threat. 

In conclusion, the Secretary said that, in fighting terror, we must not amplify the damage done by terrorists or establish stereotypes.  “In the current international campaign against terrorism, there is a tendency to profile suspected terrorists based on their ethnic or religious background. In some countries, there is a growing intolerance for differences in ethnic background, race and religion, in addition to historical racial discrimination.  We must resist the temptation to demonize any faith or religion.  We should foster greater inter-faith dialogue to help bridge the gaps that terrorists exploit and hope to widen,” the Secretary said. END.