Seeker
July 30, 2002, 03:14 PM
July 30, 2002
US wins licence to open second front in terror war
From Tim Johnston in Jakarta
WITH militant Islamic movements in action from the Philippines to Malaysia, South-East Asia is to become the “second front” in America’s War on Terror.
Regional officials have agreed a landmark declaration of co-operation with the US that will give the Americans, which has 100,000 troops in the region, far greater latitude to operate against terrorists in their countries. It will be signed by Colin Powell, the US Secretary of State, who meets Foreign Ministers from the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) in Brunei tomorrow.
Washington has become increasingly concerned about the terrorist agenda of groups based in South-East Asia and radical Islamists operating in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have been identified as al-Qaeda allies.
The drafting of the joint declaration has been controversial, with many Asean ministers concerned that it gives America too much leeway. The original wording said that America would act in accordance with “the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity and . . . non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other states”. The new wording, changed at Washington’s request, says only that it “recognises” such principles.
The agreement will also increase American financial and technical assistance for nations to fight terrorism and improve the flow of information between Pacific Rim countries.
the Rest of the Story (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-369185,00.html)
Does the US really have 100,000 troops in the area?
"...says only that it “recognises” such principles"
So the Asean ministers thought the original document gave the US too much leeway? How is the new version more restrictive? More importantly what did the US promise to gain more "leeway"?
"The agreement will also increase American financial and technical assistance for nations to fight terrorism... "
I don't suppose tax dollars will be used for this :rolleyes: and I am sure it won't increase the percetion of imperialism by the US, as I am sure that miliions of people throughout SEA are pleased as punch that the US is there to act as the worlds policeman. :rolleyes:
Also with this second front the war on terror is starting to feel more like a war on Islam - or are we about to open a third front in Northern Ireland?
US wins licence to open second front in terror war
From Tim Johnston in Jakarta
WITH militant Islamic movements in action from the Philippines to Malaysia, South-East Asia is to become the “second front” in America’s War on Terror.
Regional officials have agreed a landmark declaration of co-operation with the US that will give the Americans, which has 100,000 troops in the region, far greater latitude to operate against terrorists in their countries. It will be signed by Colin Powell, the US Secretary of State, who meets Foreign Ministers from the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) in Brunei tomorrow.
Washington has become increasingly concerned about the terrorist agenda of groups based in South-East Asia and radical Islamists operating in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have been identified as al-Qaeda allies.
The drafting of the joint declaration has been controversial, with many Asean ministers concerned that it gives America too much leeway. The original wording said that America would act in accordance with “the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity and . . . non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other states”. The new wording, changed at Washington’s request, says only that it “recognises” such principles.
The agreement will also increase American financial and technical assistance for nations to fight terrorism and improve the flow of information between Pacific Rim countries.
the Rest of the Story (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-369185,00.html)
Does the US really have 100,000 troops in the area?
"...says only that it “recognises” such principles"
So the Asean ministers thought the original document gave the US too much leeway? How is the new version more restrictive? More importantly what did the US promise to gain more "leeway"?
"The agreement will also increase American financial and technical assistance for nations to fight terrorism... "
I don't suppose tax dollars will be used for this :rolleyes: and I am sure it won't increase the percetion of imperialism by the US, as I am sure that miliions of people throughout SEA are pleased as punch that the US is there to act as the worlds policeman. :rolleyes:
Also with this second front the war on terror is starting to feel more like a war on Islam - or are we about to open a third front in Northern Ireland?