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Terrorism key issue for forum
Mark Hollands for CNN
(CNN) -- The war on terror is expected to dominate discussion and political rhetoric when 21 of the world's leaders gather for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-Operation forum in Bangkok on October 19. The issue is seen as a key rallying point for APEC leaders, especially in the aftermath of the fractious talks at the recent World Trade Organization meeting in Cancun, Mexico, which broke down over market access rights and agriculture subsidies. "A lot of people will be paying lip-service to terrorism, but not much will be done," Dr Clive Williams, director of terrorism studies at the Australian National University, told CNN. "The biggest influence APEC can have on terrorism is over the financing of terror," he said. "But few nations will go through the process of implementing monetary controls on their nation's finances. "More controls mean the harder it is for corruption to survive. So this would be a big task for many governments in Southeast Asia," Williams said. Government insiders say a joint communiqué to be issued by forum leaders will be more "media friendly" than previous statements, articulating two or three basic political goals – most likely, determination for the successful completion of the WTO's Doha round, a commitment to improved counter-terrorism measures and economic structural reform. While the U.S. President, George W. Bush, will push for a definitive APEC statement on enhancements to fight terror, the issue is a difficult one for the meeting's host, Thailand Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. For 40 years, Thailand denied the presence of terrorists – a claim dismissed by analysts who say the nation has long been a popular hideout and even holiday destination. "Until June 10, Thailand has always denied its links with terror," said Dr Williams. "It is in a difficult position because it has substantial land borders and they are difficult to police." The August arrest in Thailand of Jemaah Islamiyah operations chief Hambali, suspected mastermind of the Bali bombing 12 months ago, was further proof of terrorists' presence in Thailand. The bombing of the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Jakarta in early September, also said to be the work of Hambali, has highlighted the need for APEC unity on terror. Significant attention will be given at the Bangkok meeting to controlling the movement of so-called ManPADS -- manportable air defence systems. These are shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, which authorities say could be used by terrorists at airports with devastating effect. "Terrorism will be relevant on two counts," the New Zealand ambassador to APEC, George Troup, said. "Firstly, the 21 leaders will talk about what is pressing on their minds – and the war on terror is certainly a focus for all of them. Secondly, the link between trade and terror is only too clear. Trade and economic measures cannot happen in a vacuum." The Australian ambassador to APEC, Geoff Raby, said the group ultimately wanted to promote "integration and openness of capital and goods, as well as movement of people – and terrorism threatens that". Raby said he expected APEC to invoke work programs that would make a demonstrable difference in monitoring the movement of people, freight and cargo, as well as financial transactions. "Working at this level is what APEC does best," he said. "Australia has been conducting pilot studies with some of the APEC countries to improve their ability to check the bona fides of travelers at airports. "There are significant technical and privacy issues. Some countries have yet to make a decision on whether they should adopt such techniques, but all APEC members have indicated interest." The U.S. Government has urged members to install security systems that track shipping containers and can take x-rays of their contents before leaving the dock. A counter-terrorism taskforce was set up by APEC last February. At its most recent meeting in August, members voted in favor of adopting biotechnology designed to foil terrorists who had had plastic surgery to avoid detection. Taskforce chairman, Indonesia ambassador Makarin Wibosono, recommended each member sign immediately the 1999 International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism. Last year, APEC adopted the so-called STAR initiative (Secure Trade in the APEC Region) to improve security at air and sea terminals. "Security will be the key issue of the gathering," Richard Martin, managing director of the research organization, International Market Assessment Asia, told CNN. "The question will be how the member countries decide to work closely with the United States, especially those in Southeast Asia."
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