Philippines shrugs off bombs as no threat to summit

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

CEBU, Philippines, Jan 11 (Reuters) The Philippines struck a defiant tone today after multiple bombings that killed eight people cast a shadow over its preparations for hosting Asian leaders this weekend.

Officials insisted there was no threat to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and a wider meeting of Asian leaders on the central island of Cebu despite the attacks, hundreds of miles to the south.

''It is precisely this act and other acts of senseless violence and terrorism that the leaders will be addressing when they meet here in Cebu,'' said Marciano Paynor, director-general of the ASEAN organising committee.

The country's police chief said yesterday evening's blasts, suspected to have been set off by Muslim militants, were designed to embarrass the Philippines as it and nine other ASEAN members prepare to ink a counter-terrorism agreement on Saturday.

''They were trying to send a message,'' Oscar Calderon told reporters. ''They wanted to embarrass the government because of the meetings in Cebu.'' Western governments had warned terrorists could strike either Cebu or cities in the south during the meeting and Australia has renewed its travel warning for the Philippines.

Leaders start arriving on Thursday for the annual summit, which will gather presidents and prime ministers from China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea and New Zealand as well as the ASEAN leaders for talks on security, trade and energy.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- countries that span the economic and political spectrum.

THORNY QUESTIONS China and South Korea's foreign ministers were set to meet later today with Pyongyang's nuclear programme likely to top the agenda.

Earlier this week, the commander of the US military in South Korea said the North was likely to test another nuclear device but China's foreign minister sidestepped questions about the possibility of a second launch.

''I have not heard of it. In any case, the stance of the Chinese government is clear that we resolutely protect the non-proliferation regime,'' Li Zhaoxing told reporters.

Southeast Asian foreign ministers, meanwhile, discussed the thorny question of Myanmar, where the ruling junta's refusal to speed up the democratic process has frustrated fellow ASEAN members.

The United States has introduced a UN resolution calling on Myanmar to restore democracy and release all political prisoners, including Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

But, given ASEAN's policy of non-interference in members' domestic affairs, a common public stance on the UN resolution or a statement openly criticising Myanmar's human rights abuses is not on the cards in Cebu.

A final wording for a declaration on protecting the rights of millions of migrant workers in the region will likely emerge later today.

An agreement had been held up over concerns from labour importers such as Singapore and Malaysia that the mention of ''families'' in a statement would encourage workers' relatives to join them abroad.

According to an Indonesian official, consensus was now emerging that migrant workers' families, who already reside with them, would be covered by the agreement, which calls for better pay, housing and employment conditions.

Reuters SP RS1108

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