U.S. seeks role in ASEAN's anti-terror drive

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, NOV. 17. It appears that the United States is feeling left out of anti- terrorist initiatives taken by South-East Asian nations at a regional summit in Brunei earlier this month.

Admiral Dennis Blair, commander of the U.S. force in the Pacific, stated that the agreement reached by the Association of South- East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Brunei was vital for fighting terrorism in the region. ``There is also a very important regional component here in South-East Asia that the U.S. doesn't have a role in and that's the ASEAN regional initiative,'' Admiral Blair was quoted as telling reporters in Bangkok.

``I know that out of the ASEAN summit of about 10 days ago the concept of a command post exercise utilising the armed forces in a counter-terrorism scenario was endorsed, and we are talking with the countries how we can support that,'' he said. Interestingly, Admiral Blair's comments are the first public remarks which refer to more concrete anti-terrorism measures to be taken by ASEAN countries - something which was not made public by ASEAN leaders at their summit meeting in Brunei.

The ASEAN statement on terrorism had spoken generally of greater co-operation against the menace but did not refer to anything specific. However, Admiral Blair's information seems to be different. The U.S. military commander's statement reflect the American desire to have a greater role in South-East Asia as far as anti-terrorism measures are concerned. The U.S., of course, is a leading member of the ASEAN Regional Forum, but so far the ARF has had little to show by way of anti-terrorist measures. It is more or less an annual meeting with some official meetings during the course of the year. The next ARF meeting will only take place in July next year.

In a reference to anti-American groups like the Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines, Admiral Blair said: ``There is no doubt that there are groups in many countries who oppose what the United States is doing.'' Referring to protests in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, he stated: ``This is what happens in democracies, but the Governments have favoured, have offered and provided assistance. The region has really come together.''

Admiral Blair's statement also signals that the U.S. is showing greater interest in engaging in South-East Asia - parts of which are rife with extremist groups like the Abu Sayyaf. Indonesia, too, has its own problems with extremist Islamist groups. In a separate development, the Malaysian Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, said that American military operations in Afghanistan were looking more and more like a war against Muslims.

``We hate to say it, but it is beginning to look more and more like a war against Muslims,'' Dr. Mahathir was quoted as saying in Kuala Lumpur today. ``This impression can only (be) got rid off if actions are taken against those people who terrorise Muslims...'' Dr. Mahathir said in a reference to Israeli actions against the Palestinians. ``Maybe the world is not ready to punish the Israelis. But at least the world can take action to protect the Palestinians, to separate them from the Israelis,'' the Malaysian Prime Minister said.

Dr. Mahathir has consistently criticised the American bombardment of Afghanistan, saying that it will not achieve the desired goals. It is, perhaps, for the first time that the Malaysian leader, who is known to speak his mind, has said that the American military operations were looking more and more like a war against Muslims.

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Section  : International
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