|
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Asean heads to attend summit despite blasts: Romulo
MANILA -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said the series of bombings in Mindanao and the reported security threats during the summit in Cebu have not dissuaded Asean leaders from attending the annual meeting.
"There's no hesitation," said Romulo adding that representatives and ambassadors of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-member countries have in fact been invited to regular briefings and inspections of the summit site in Cebu to update them on the preparations.
He added that as far as the Asean summit preparations are concerned, "it's now all on-track."
Presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor said at least 80 percent of the hotels in Cebu are already booked and occupied for the summit.
Romulo said they have been regularly talking to representatives of Asean members to assure them that the government is doing its best to beef up security and address security concerns as well ensure the safety of the participants.
He said they are also aware that the alert status is now up, especially after the bombings and other terrorist threats.
Romulo added that he would consult National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales and other law enforcement unit heads to determine if there is a need to officially brief the diplomatic community on developments in the security front.
He said it is expected that the recent nuclear testing by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) would be raised during the summit, including possible measures that the group could do to persuade North Korea to abandon its activity.
Romulo also said the Asean leaders may also explore possible back-channel talks with North Korea. He however said he has not heard if any country or international bodies raised the issue of backdoor talks.
He said the Asean is expected to come up with a more definite stand on issue once the UN Security Council comes out with its own resolution.
Romulo said based on the initial stand taken by the many countries, including Asean members led by the Philippines, they prefer to insist on North Korea's return to six-party-talks. Those involved in the six-party talks are North Korea, South Korea, Japan, China, Russia and the US.
He said they also want DPRK to adhere to the September 2005 joint statement that they signed as well as to the UNSC Resolution 1695. (JMR/Sunnex)
(October 15, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Wait for license pains nursing graduates