13 missing after collision
Thirteen fishermen are still missing after an MISC-owned container ship Bunga Mas Lapan collided with fishing boat 97 Handong, about 30 km off South Korea's Jindo island yesterday. According to the Mokpo Coast Guard, one crew member was rescued. The crew of the Malaysian flagged ship did not suffer any injuries. The Coast Guard has deployed a helicopter and a high speed ship for rescue operations. The 11,000-dwt Bunga Mas Lapan was headed for Moji in Japan from Yantai in China. A spokesman for MISC confirmed the accident to Fairplay, but said details were not available. The crew of the Malaysian ship will be questioned once the vessel arrives in Mokpo. The cause of the mishap has yet to be ascertained. © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd 2005.

Australia to Improve Security at Air and Sea Ports
The Australian Government will establish a new division within the Attorney General’s Department to coordinate background checks on people working in the secure areas of air and sea ports, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today. The initiative follows a recommendation of the Wheeler Review of Airport Security and Policing to centralise background checks within a single government department. “This will enable the Government to provide an extra level of support to those industry groups responsible for the issue of identification cards and ensure national consistency with vetting arrangements,” Mr Ruddock said. “People who work in these secure areas are already required to have Aviation Security Identification Cards (ASICs) and Maritime Security Identification Cards (MSICs),” Mr Ruddock said. “The new division will strengthen national security arrangements by helping the aviation and maritime industries to identify people who should not be issued with these cards. “This is consistent with Sir John Wheeler’s recommendation to centralise background checking in my department and is part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to improving aviation and maritime security,” he said. Mr Ruddock said his department would consult widely within Government and with industry during the implementation phase. The new division will begin operation on 1 July 2007. © Scoop Indipendent News.

The coming East Asia Summit: A thirty-point agenda by Tan See Seng and Ralf Emmers
On December 14, 2005, representatives from sixteen nations will gather in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the inaugural session of the East Asia Summit (EAS). Participants to that first meeting will comprise the ten ASEAN members, China, Japan and South Korea, as well as Australia, New Zealand and India. The inclusion of the two primary engines of economic growth in Asia -- China and India -- within the EAS immediately raises the profile of the Summit. The event promises to be an historic and timely gathering. East Asia today is characterized by a combustible mix of old and new challenges. At no time in its history has the region been confronted, all at once, with a host of complex strategic and non-traditional security challenges as those which confront it today. This is where the East Asia Summit comes in. As Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo intimated at a forum on global leadership this past September, the EAS represents a crucial part of the region's "collective response to the dramatic changes taking place in the world -- globalisation, the re-emergence of China and India, the challenge of international terrorism and the revolutionary impact of new technologies". The Summit offers therefore an opportunity to shape the East Asian region in ways that will best maintain its economic dynamism, enhance regional security and preserve peace and stability amongst Summit members. What might we expect of this incipient East Asia Summit? Recent developments offer some clues. For more than a decade, multilateral cooperation in Asia -- whether in the form of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) or most recently the ASEAN+3 (ASEAN plus China, Japan and South Korea) -- has been driven by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Association looks set to assume the leadership of this latest institutional form. The modus operandi of the EAS will therefore likely be similar to those of other ASEAN-led institutions. No More "Business as Usual"? But will the so-called "ASEAN Way" of consensus, informality and minimalism, which had worked relatively well for Southeast Asia in the past, be sufficient for present-day East Asia? Unlikely so -- as we and some of our colleagues argue in a newly released policy study, An Agenda for the East Asia Summit -- because the many challenges confronting the East Asian region require EAS members to "think out of the ASEAN box". Current efforts at conferring a legal personality on ASEAN through a charter may mean that the ASEAN Way could soon become a relic of the past. An Agenda for the East Asia Summit sees the EAS neither as a replacement for the APEC, ARF or ASEAN+3, nor as a surrogate for the host of functional mechanisms provided for under these regional frameworks. Rather, the Summit complements these arrangements. Moreover, the EAS is a new grouping of sixteen members distinct from the ASEAN+3 and other institutional expressions in the region. It remains unclear to many what exactly the strategic purpose of the Summit is -- as understood by East Asian leaders themselves. Arguably, the EAS can be viewed not only as a confidence building enterprise -- a central feature of all extant forms of East Asian regionalism -- but also as a future venue for substantive cooperation. To that end, An Agenda introduces thirty policy recommendations for regional collaboration that we believe are essential if the EAS is to graduate from a nascent institution for addressing broad concerns and generalized confidence building, to a regional mechanism armed with a thematic and problem-oriented agenda. It is imperative that members of the EAS establish a level of comfort amongst themselves. While the ASEAN countries have had almost four decades of collective experience in regional reconciliation, this experience is new for the Northeast Asian members of the EAS, whose relations with each other have largely been confined to bilateral ties and the Six Party Talks, an ad hoc forum with a highly focused objective. Similarly, Australia and India also require time to establish confidence with their counterparts from East Asia. An Agenda therefore recommends that Summit participants treat the upcoming inaugural session in December 2005 as essentially a confidence building exercise. But as the experience of Asian regionalism has taught us, institutions with no other aim except confidence building do not go far. It is imperative that the EAS move forward in due course to substantive collaboration on the complex issues and challenges that affect the region. An Agenda therefore urges the adoption by EAS members of a thematic and problem-oriented approach to regional challenges through functional cooperation on various issues, which we have divided into two time-sensitive "baskets" according to consensus and capabilities. For the immediate term, An Agenda envisages a series of plausible cooperative efforts in dealing with terrorism, piracy and maritime security as well as health security. Among other recommendations, we encourage EAS members to devise a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy comprising operational, ideological and functional objectives. We recommend the creation of joint cooperation zones and more accurate assessments of the piracy and maritime terrorism situation in the Malacca Straits. We advocate developing a disease-surveillance control mechanism for the East Asian region as well as strengthening cooperation among health agencies at both interstate and intrastate levels to better deal with pandemics. For the medium to long term, An Agenda also offers policy recommendations for tackling economic and energy challenges, human security concerns, forms of transnational crime and the like. For instance, we see the EAS as an alternative venue -- in conjunction with the APEC and ASEAN+3 -- for initiating informal discussions on the realisation of the East Asian Free Trade Area and issuing calls for the successful completion of the Doha Development Round. We urge Summit members to consider creating a regional fund for poverty reduction and developing regional agreements on disaster management and emergency responses. Finally, we argue that regional law enforcement and legal cooperation against illegal money-laundering and trafficking in humans and narcotics can and should be enhanced through the EAS framework. In conclusion, we see confidence building as an ongoing objective of the Summit, upon which different layers of functional cooperation can be added at various stages. Mindful of the many reasons that stand in the way of meaningful cooperation at the regional level, the recommendations from An Agenda ought to be seen as proposals which could be taken up as and when the Summit is ready to proceed beyond mere confidence building. Proposals for functional cooperation do not imply that we see the EAS as a replacement for existing regional institutions. Rather, the Summit complements such arrangements. In George Yeo's words, "getting the DNA right" is crucial when it comes to designing regional institutions. Getting the East Asia Summit's "DNA" right will therefore be critical for EAS members. Otherwise, failure to make the Summit relevant may well result in dire region-wide consequences should East Asia experience anew the various crises which recently jolted the region, be they man-made or natural. The peoples of East Asia deserve better. [Tan See Seng is Coordinator, Multilateralism and Regionalism Programme, and Ralf Emmers is Deputy Head (Studies) at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Nanyang Technological University. The views of the authors are their own and do not represent the official position of IDSS.] © The Jakarta Post.

East Asia Summit: getting it right the first time by Jackson Sawatan
Singapore - Former Asean secretary-general Rodolfo Severino is one man you can probably count an Aseanist -- one who believes in the workings of the Asean, its complexities notwithstanding. One can still see the fire burning in the animated way he articulates his views -- eyes lighten up, arms reaching about -- when the Asean subject is brought forth in a conversation although he now described his role as the grouping's secretary-general from 1998 to 2002 as a time spent "in my previous life." Now a visiting senior research fellow at Singapore's Institute of South East Asian Studies (ISEAS), Severino was quoted as saying in 1999, soon after his appointment to the Asean post, that the regional grouping of 10 nations was "faced with challenges such as it has not faced before -- the challenge of enlargement, the challenge of scope, and the challenge of integration." That poignant statement has never found a better time than it is in the coming week as leaders around the region and beyond converge in Kuala Lumpur to attend a host of Asean-initiated summits that would culminate into the staging of the first ever East Asia Summit that groups the Asean nations, its plus three partners China, Korea and Japan as well as Australia, India and New Zealand. Severino said that the Summit should not be misunderstood. "We should not expect it to do what it is not meant to do," he told Bernama. On the other hand, he said, the outcome of the Summit would depend much on the manner the members would want it to become. There would be nothing much that are new because many of the things would have already been touched on at the Asean level and its various fora, he acknowledged. The success of the Summit therefore hinges on the meeting itself, he said, adding that "this is just the first meeting and I think the agenda would be the meeting itself where everyone will have their take." Some observers are much blunter in their analysis and went as far as saying that the East Asia Summit had no clear vision. Associate Professor of Political Science, Sophia University, Tokyo, Sorpong Peou said that the East Asia Summit could go as broader as it can in its agenda but the problem in being broad and comprehensive is that "we tend to tackle all issues and policy makers are not good at implementing all issues." In proposing what agenda the Summit should adopt, analysts here seemed to be divided with one side saying that terrorism and security-related matters should be the immediate priority while another said it should be economics. At a recent roundtable organised by the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS), it was recommended that the short and medium term agenda for the summit should be to build confidence among members and once that was achieved, they should quickly move on to build on functional cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism, piracy and maritime security, and health security. On terrorism, IDSS Associate Prof Dr Kumar Ramakrishna, whose research interests include counter-terrorism strategy, said that the East Asia Summit could do well by beginning to address the root causes of terrorism. "It is not something new and talking about addressing root causes of terrorism would probably invite a big yawn. But we have to look at it in a new approach. It is clear that despite the best effort of regional governments, organisations such as the Jemaah Islamiyah are still capable of regenerating losses are being replenished," he said. Dr Kumar said that the cause of terrorism -- be it political, ideological or as a result of grievances -- must be addressed through counter-terror diplomatic frameworks, strategies that could de-legitimise militant narratives as well as by alleviating and eradicating inadequacies that could throw up aggrieved and unsettled individuals who make potential candidates for militant causes. On maritime security, it was also suggested that the Summit provide resources and support for the littoral states of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. There was also a need for the East Asia Summit to develop a regional disease-surveillance mechanism for disease control to tackle the issue of health security, it was proposed. Once the security-related issues had been entrenched on the agenda, only then the Summit can move on to tackle the medium and long term issues and economics could take prominence, so goes the argument from the proponents of the security agenda. But ISEAS Deputy Director Chin Kin Wah said that the agenda should be economics although one must take a cautious approach and perhaps start at a lower level of cooperation such as in the exchange rate stabilisation. "If we start with East Asia Free Trade Agreements, then we will then be forced to think in the long-term rather than in the short-term. We have China and Japan in the East Asia Summit and the question is whether they are really in the mood to think about it," he said. Besides the agenda, there was also the question of whether Asean -- with its non-interference, non-binding and consensus-based modality -- would be effective to be in the Summit's driving seat. In view of that, Chin said, there might be a need to be innovative beyond the Asean way and move towards proactive intervention. But underneath it all, the region needs to move towards the East Asia Summit simply because in the words of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, "that is the shape of this emerging continent." "These are major players who count," Lee told a recent broadcasted interview over CNBC Conversation programme. Despite the existence all other bodies such as the World Trade Organisation, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Asean plus three and the Asean as a forum, the East Asia Summit is imperative for it provides avenue for member countries to cooperate at different level. "The world is a complicated place. You need cooperation at different levels. Within East Asia, because of (the rise of) China and India, because intra-regional trade is growing and linkages are growing, we have to have some framework to structure that cooperation and the framework which we see emerging is the East Asia Summit." "Without it, you won't be on the radar screen," he added. © 2005 BERNAMA.

Japan welcomes Singapore decision
THE Japanese Shipowners Association has welcomed a decision by the Competition Commission of Singapore to recommend a block exemption to the liner shipping industry from Section 34 of the country’s Competition Act 2004. The exemption covers consortium, conference and discussion agreements although, according to the commission, the exemption for the latter 2 categories will be “subject to review in the light of developments in the local and international maritime industry”. Yuichi Sonoda, general manager of the planning division at the owners' organisation, which submitted written comments in support of the status quo, said “we appreciate the CCS's decision that Singapore's competition regime will be in line with those of their major trading partners.” He added that he believed the continued activities of carriers' agreements under administered anti-trust immunity “will contribute to the steady and sustainable development of the world trade.” © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd 2005.

Jernas To Fortify Nation's Defence System
Langkawi - Jernas, the Malaysian armed forces air defence system that will be operational by early next year will further strengthen the nation's defence capabilities. Armed Forces Chief Admiral Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Noor said the three-component defence system could counter all aircraft without crew, missiles and jet fighters. Malaysia had signed a contract worth RM1.2 billion for purchasing the system from MBDA (Uk) Limited in 2002. Several armed forces members are now undergoing training with the system producer to operate the system and another group would be trained when the system becomes operational. Mohd Anwar told reporters during his visit to the maritime segment of the Langkawi International Maritime and Air Show (Lima "05) in Awana Porto Malai near here, Tuesday. The system has three components namely the Rapier MK2 guided missile and its launcher, the Blindfire detector radar and the Dagger monitoring radar. It can detect an object 30 km away and destroy it 8 km away. Jernas can be transported thorugh land or air and is capable of protecting strategic locations form enemy attacks. On the LIMA 05 maritime segmen, Mohd Anwar said he was happy to note that it was well organised and received good response from local and outstation companies. © 2005 BERNAMA.

Malaysia jadi ahli majlis IMO by Abdul Razak Raaff
Johor Bahru - Malaysia dipilih menjadi ahli majlis Pertubuhan Maritim Antarabangsa (IMO) pada Jumaat lalu, kata Menteri Pengangkutan, Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy. Beliau berkata, Malaysia menjadi ahli IMO sejak 1974 dan berjaya pada percubaan pertamanya untuk menduduki kerusi ahli majlis IMO iaitu agensi maritim Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) yang berpusat di London. Katanya, pemilihan itu sekali gus membuktikan masyarakat dunia mengiktiraf usaha kerajaan membangunkan industri maritim, selain memajukan pelabuhannya. "Kita bangga dengan pemilihan sebagai ahli majlis IMO dan ini jelas membuktikan pelabuhan dan perkhidmatan yang disediakan dalam sektor perdagangan maritim adalah antara yang terbaik di dunia," katanya. Beliau berkata demikian pada majlis Malam Pelabuhan dan Sambutan Aidilfitri 2005 Lembaga Pelabuhan Johor (LPJ), di sini kelmarin. Hadir sama, Pengerusi LPJ, Abdul Halim Suleiman dan Pengurus Besar LPJ, Mohd Rozali Mohd Ali. Selain itu, katanya, dua pelabuhan di negeri ini, Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) dan Pelabuhan Pasir Gudang berpotensi besar menjadi penyumbang utama industri maritim negara. Katanya, pencapaian kedua-dua pelabuhan itu menggalakkan dengan menyumbang kira-kira 42 peratus daripada 11.4 juta TEU pengendalian kargo kontena di negara ini. Sehubungan itu, katanya, pengendalian kargo kontena di kedua-dua pelabuhan di selatan Semenanjung itu dijangka meningkat tahun ini dengan PTP selaku hub pemindahan kapal dan kargo di rantau ini berupaya mengendali 4.2 juta TEU berbanding 4.02 juta TEU pada tahun lalu. Sementara itu, katanya, Pelabuhan Pasir Gudang yang juga berfungsi sebagai pelabuhan serba guna dijangka mengendalikan kargo kontena lebih 840,000 TEU tahun ini. Mengenai LPJ, katanya, lembaga itu perlu lebih kreatif, inovatif dan peka kepada permintaan dan keperluan komuniti pelabuhan serta perkapalan antarabangsa. © The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad.

Malaysia mulls new security step for Malacca Strait
Langkawi - Malaysia is considering asking its wider Asian neighbours, such as India, to provide photographs of ships before they enter the Malacca Strait to tighten security in the busy sea lane, the chief of armed forces said on Monday. Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia have already launched coordinated naval patrols and airborne surveillance in the strait, which carries a quarter of global trade. There are fears the narrow waterway, already plagued by pirates, could become a target for a terror attack. A speaker at a maritime conference this week in Malaysia's northern resort island of Langkawi made the suggestion for the photographs of vessels, defence chief Admiral Mohamed Anwar Mohamed Nor told reporters. "What was suggested was to have a network of inter-connected agencies, to have a surface picture compilation of the ships before they come into the Straits of Malacca," he said. "Ships would have entered the Straits from the Gulf, the Indian Ocean and the Andaman Sea," Mohamed Anwar added. "While there are no immediate plans to ask India to join the littoral states in patrolling the strait, there have been suggestions that asking them and others (to join) as regional and sub-regional agencies, and this is a viable option," he said. More than 63,000 vessels passed through the strait last year, carrying a quarter of global trade and nearly all the oil imports of Japan, South Korea and China. Mohamed Anwar said Thailand had donated two aircraft for air patrols, while Japan and the United States had offered equipment to boost security resources. He did not elaborate. © Reuters 2005.

Marine Police Considering Using Hovercraft
Langkawi - The Marine Police are considering using hovercrafts to further boost their efficiency. Assistant Commander (Development/Finance/Projects) of Marine Police, ACP Teh Heng Thong said they were trying out several hovercrafts and if found suitable, the Marine Police would submit a proposal to the government to buy them under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. He said hovercrafts had several advantages compared to boats or ships. "They can travel over areas where boats cannot enter such as muddy areas," he told reporters after witnessing demonstrations on rescuing a ship from pirates in the waters of Awana Porto Malai here. The demonstration was in conjunction with the International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA '05) which started Tuesday. Teh said hovercrafts were also suitable for operations and rescue work. A company based in Kuala Lumpur had demonstrated the advantages of a hovercraft from Britain measuring 6.8 meters which cost RM600,000 at the LIMA exhibition. © 2005 BERNAMA.

Marine police rescue two stranded at sea by Chong Chee Seong
Muar, Johor - Four marine police officers braved high waves and violent winds to rescue two fishermen from a collapsing kelong (floating fish farm) in the Straits of Malacca, three nautical miles off Parit Haji Baki at 10pm last night. Tan Ah Sek, 45, and his assistant, Tay Yah Win, 36, left their home at Parit Unas here for the kelong at 5pm. Three hours later, the wind became violent and the boat, anchored at the kelong, sank. Ah Sek called his brother Jit Chin, 53, on the phone seeking help as the wind had broken the stakes on the kelong. Jit Chin appealed for assistance from the fishermen community, but no one would venture out because of the bad weather. He drove to the Marine Police Department, about eight kilometres away, for help. The marine police officers took Jit Chin out to sea. The two stranded men werebrought back to Parit Unas at midnight. Ah Sek said this was the first time in 33 years of fishing that he had encountered waves more than three metres high and violent winds. "Both of us held tightly to a wooden beam on the kelong and prayed," he said. Damage to the boat, fishing nets, engine and kelong was estimated at RM65,000. Eight other kelong in the vicinity were also damaged, with losses estimated at over RM300,000. The two fishermen and Jit Chin raised the sunken boat at noon. © The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad.

Maritime enforcement agency to have its own air wing by Alina Simon
Langkawi - The newly operational Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) will have its own wing unit to carry out routine patrol, search and rescue operations as well as surveillance and intelligence. Its director-general vice-admiral Datuk Mohammad Nik said the agency which began operation on Nov 30, is currently drawing up plans for the setting up of the unit with five stations around the country, each equipped with airplanes and helicopters. However, he did not say when the unit would be operational as the proposal was included in its proposed budget submitted for the Ninth Malaysia Plan. He said such a unit is required to help the agency patrol the area that covers 200 nautical miles from coast. © New Straits Times Press.

Nation needs a fisheries ministry by Chiau Wen-yan
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) passed a resolution on Nov. 20 to cut Taiwan's total allowable catch quota for Atlantic big-eye tuna by 70 percent. This setback will not only lead to an enormous loss of potential revenue (as much as NT$10 billion [US$300 million]) and hurt Taiwan's international image, it may also cause a domino effect with other sanctions against Taiwan potentially following. This is the most severe punitive action taken in the history of the international fishery industry. It is an indication that the international community can no longer tolerate overfishing, illegal fishing under a flag of convenience and boosting catch by "fish laundering" by Taiwanese tuna fishing boats, or the nation's inability to manage its fishing industry. Over the past 50 years, Taiwan's fish production grew from a total output of 120,000 tonnes in 1952 to 1,400,000 tonnes in 2002, with the production value increasing from NT$50 million to NT$100 billion. Taiwan has been ranked the world's 20th-largest fishing nation, as well as one of the six major deep-sea fishing nations. Also, its tuna and squid fisheries are ranked second and third in the world. `The international community can no longer tolerate overfishing, illegal fishing under a flag of convenience and boosting catch by `fish laundering' by Taiwanese tuna fishing boats.' However, Taiwan's fishermen's associations have only made limited efforts toward marine conservation. As a result, a small section of the nation's fishing industry has rejected all restraint, engaging in overfishing and other illegal activities. They acted in a manner that increasingly ignored conservation in both offshore and ocean-going fisheries, and Taiwan's fisheries administration became a system similar to "social relief," in which fishermen and their representatives would get whatever they asked for. While other countries were striving to reduce illegal fishing, Taiwan was slow to respond and even appeared unwilling to act. The Ministry of Interior spent a decade drawing up a "coastal management law," but, after the first reading in the Legislative Yuan, the bill was put aside because a few lawmakers misled fishermen into opposing it. But the important and sensitive issue of demarcating "protected areas" is intended to foster more fishery resources and create sustainable economies for fishing villages, and is regarded by the international community as an important means of creating sustainable fisheries. A good example is Malaysia's Fisheries Act, which stipulates that "marine parks" are to be established in important coral reef areas. In addition to enabling ecological observation, such a law serves an important purpose, cultivating fishery resources and establishing protected areas where fish can breed. In other words, the core value of Taiwan's "new fishery" should be to ensure "resource conservation" and "sustainable management" instead of looting marine resources or doing things that threaten the nation with anarchy. For example, building Ilan's Wushih Harbor resulted in a considerable shrinkage of nearby Toucheng Beach, and the land reclaimed in this development remains vacant. Has this been a gain or a loss? What is the actual operational efficiency of Taiwan's 200 fishing ports, and which have caused a severe impact on the environment? The prosperity of many fishing villages is on the wane, but this situation has received little public attention. This summer, Taiwanese fishing vessels operating near the disputed waters of the Diaoyutais were chased away by Japanese patrol ships and inspected by Japanese coast guard vessels, causing Coast Guard Administration to dispatch vessels to the disputed waters to "protect" Taiwanese fishermen. This happened on several occasions. China's research vessel interrupted Taiwanese ships operating in eastern and southern waters and rudely conducted a survey of Taiwan's continental shelf resources without giving a clear reason. Japan's and China's vessels were bigger and better equipped than Taiwan's. If Taiwan's maritime affairs sink further into oblivion and the nation's ability to administer fishery resources continues to deteriorate, the government will lose the ability to command budget resources, ensure the strength of its fleet and protect its maritime territories, which are 10 times larger than Taiwan's land area. Faced with the harsh sanction imposed by the international community as well as environmental pollution, destruction of ecological niches, depletion of fishing resources and shortages of fishing labor in Taiwan's coastal waters, it is unavoidable that Taiwan's fishing industry will sink quickly. Therefore, the core idea of creating a ministry governing maritime affairs has becomes important. More than a decade ago when the Canadian government was integrating agencies, it combined its maritime affairs and natural resources agencies. But, this combination did not last because of the two agencies' divergent ideologies -- with the former striving for environmental protection, while the latter focused on the exploration and utilization of natural resources. In 1995, the Canadian government again reorganized its maritime, fishery and coast guard agencies under a new conceptual framework of "ecological resources conservation" and "maritime environmental protection." It established the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, a model which was also used by South Korea's Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and is a new model for maritime management around the world. Given the predicament faced by the fishing industry and the recent passage of the amendment of the Standard Organic Law of Central Government Agencies (???????????) to expand Cabinet-level agencies into 15 ministries, I believe that it is time for the government to integrate the fishery and maritime affairs agencies to revitalize the industry. It should push for a mechanism modeled on that of Canada, South Korea and Indonesia to integrate the coast guard, fishery and maritime affairs departments of various agencies, bringing together decision-making, research and development, and executive powers into a streamlined and efficient agency. It's time for Taiwan to establish a ministry of marine affairs and fisheries. [Chiau Wen-yan is a professor in the Institute of Marine Resource Management at National Taiwan Ocean University]. © 1999-2005 The Taipei Times.

Panama elected again, but Liberia stays off IMO Council
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly last week elected Panama to its Council for the next two years, but again it does not include the second largest flag state, Liberia. Liberia did not apply for election, but four new states, Belgium, Kenya, Malaysia and Thailand, joined the Council, a move which can be seen as strengthening the Asian presence in the Council Normal membership of the two main categories of Council membership was unchanged. The 10 States with the largest interest in providing international shipping services are China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Norway, Panama, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States. The ten with the largest interest in international seaborne trade are Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden. There were, however four new names in the group of 20 states “which have special interests in maritime transport or navigation, and whose election to the Council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world”. In this group Belgium, Kenya, Malaysia and Thailand have joined Algeria, Australia, Bahamas, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Indonesia, Malta, Mexico, the Philippines, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, and Turkey. Ghana, Nigeria, Poland, and, Venezuela, members of the Council prior to the Assembly, who applied for re-election but were unsuccessful. © 2005 The Bulletin International.

RP-Malaysia joint marine training starts by Al Jacinto
Zamboanga City - The Philippines and Malaysia began on Tuesday a weeklong joint maritime exercise off southern Mindanao Island to further strengthen efforts to fight terrorism and criminality at sea, officials said. About a dozen ships and an unspecified number of troops from both countries were involved in the exercises, said Commodore Rufino Lopez, the Philippine Navy chief in southern Philippines. "This is part of an annual maritime exercise between the Philippines and Malaysia to further strengthen our efforts to fight terrorism and criminality at sea," Lopez said. Aside from Malaysia, the Philippines also hold similar exercises with Indonesia. Australia is also sending an RAAF Orion reconnaissance plane to the Philippines to demonstrate how such aircraft could be used against terrorists, said Defense Minister Robert Hill. The Orion AP-3C aircraft would not undertake any real operational activities while in the Philippines, he said. But the demonstration visit would highlight the value of an air-based maritime surveillance capability to monitor the movement of terrorists and criminal groups in the region, Australian newspaper The Age said on Tuesday. Hill visited Zamboanga City in October and expressed willingness to help Manila fight terror threats and offered to conduct joint patrols of seas and provide the country with boats to improve its security campaign. He said the Philippine government was examining options to enhance its maritime security, especially in the southern region where security forces are battling the Abu Sayyaf group. Troops are also hunting dozens of Jemaah Islamiah militants who could use the region as a sanctuary for terrorist training. Australia is training Filipino Special Forces on long-range reconnaissance and providing air and sea surveillance to help root out Jemaah Islamiyah terrorists believed to be hiding in Mindanao. The RAAF's Orion aircraft has a very advanced capability for ocean surveillance as well as for reconnaissance over land. The airplanes are currently conducting patrols over the border of Iraq and Syria to detect insurgent infiltrators. Hill said the RAAF would demonstrate the aircraft's maritime patrolling capabilities to senior Filipino government and military officials. "It is important that Australia helps the Philippines continue to build its armed forces to better protect the south from terrorist groups looking to grow their support base and establish training camps and links within the region." "We are looking at opportunities to provide further assistance in intelligence and special forces training, strengthening maritime security and helping the Philippines develop a small watercraft capability to better patrol the southern riverine and marshland areas of Mindanao," Hill said in a statement. Manila and Canberra signed defense cooperation in 1995 and since then had been conducting regular counter-terrorism exercises. © 2002 - 2005 Sun.Star Publishing, Inc.

Security in Melaka Strait no longer a regional issue
Langkawi - Security in the Melaka Strait is no longer a local or regional issue because of the perception that terrorists may use the surrounding’s densely built-up area to disrupt international trade or to gain financial support through ransom or hijacking, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Sunday. The deputy prime minister said that although piracy or armed robbery at sea did not pose a significant threat, there was a possibility that piratical activities might become an instrument of terrorists. "Therefore, the measures taken must be appropriate and commensurate with the threat. Equally important is that the proportionate response to meet the security challenge must take into account sensitivities such as national sovereignty," he said in his keynote address at the Lima International Maritime Conference 2005 at Awana Porto Malai here. His speech was delivered by Defence Ministry Secretary-General Tan Sri Subhan Jasmon. A total of 186 delegates are attending the conference which will discuss safety and security issues in the Melaka Strait. Najib, who is also Defence Minister, said that to add to the complexity of the security equation, the many stakeholders that comprise the littoral states, user states, maritime communities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) each had different levels of interest, priorities, threat perception and expectations. "It all boils down to issues relating to each state's national interest, coupled with the challenges of managing scarce resources. The reality of the situations requires the need to achieve a balance between each nation's domestic policy and foreign policy agenda," he said. He said the Strait of Melaka might be a narrow stretch of water but it was one of the busiest waterways in the world. Users of the strait, both regionally and internationally, depended on this waterway to be safe and secure. "About 30 per cent of the world's trade and 80 per cent of East Asia's oil pass through this strait. More than 200 ships per day sail through the 900km of the strait and that figure does not include numerous smaller vessels and fishing boats. "Closure or even disruption of this waterway would have serious repercussion globally, certainly shipping freight rates will soar as insurance premiums increase. "Oil tankers would probably have to take a longer route and this means higher operating costs. Effectively, domestic, regional as well as international trade would be seriously affected," he said. Najib said that last June, the London-based Joint War Committee of Underwriters categorised the strait as a "war risk and terrorism zone" based on perceived enhanced risks in relation to war, terrorism and related perils. "In regard to this, we need to emphasise strongly that the Strait of Melaka has not had a single terrorist attack, the only incidents that have occurred were pirate attacks or armed robberies at sea and minor thefts from ships," he said. Najib said the maritime security scenario in the strait could be linked to the security situation in any major city around the world, such as New York, London, Singapore, Hong Kong or even Kuala Lumpur. "The threat of crime will continue to exist but we can remove the opportunities that foster and promote the threat," he said. He said many steps had been taken at the domestic and regional levels to mitigate the maritime security challenge. "The Eyes in The Sky initiative proposed by Malaysia is now a reality and is producing results. The International Maritime Bureau has reported a drastic drop in cases over the last five months. "Malaysia has also taken further steps to ensure more effective enforcement with the recent operationalisation of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. Our capability to manage problems in the strait will be further enhanced through a focused approach," he said. © 2005 BERNAMA.

Somali pirates release Thai ship, crew
SOMALI pirates have released the Thai cargo ship Laemthong Glory along with 24 crew members, the International Maritime Bureau has confirmed. They are still holding three fishing boats and 46 crew members, Noel Choong head of IMB’s Kuala Lumpur-based Piracy Reporting Centre told Fairplay. There is no indication of the amount of ransom paid, but sources say there has been a steep increase in the amount demanded, which now said to be running to as much as $300,000. Pirates operating off the Somali coast have so far released four ships. There have been no incidents in the area since the hijack of the Laemthong Glory on 5 November with Choong crediting coalition forces for stepping up vigilance. “Continued patrolling should keep attacks at bay,” he added. Meanwhile the owner of Laemthong Glory has stated in a website that the ship had now sailed for Hodeidah in Yemen with its cargo of black sugar. The ship is also said to be escorted and assisted with provisions by a US naval ship. © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd 2005

Straits security a global issue by Alina Simon and Leslie Andres
Langkawi - Maritime security in the Straits of Malacca is no longer a local or even regional issue. The complexity and sensitivity of the issues are now acknowledged and have become common features discussed at many international forums. However, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said there existed an unfair perception of the security situation in the straits. He said while there was a possibility that terrorist factions would target ships in the straits in order to disrupt international trade, this had yet to happen. The only security problems so far were the occasional pirate attacks and theft at ports, Najib, who is also the Defence Minister, said in his keynote address at the Lima Maritime Conference in Tanjung Malai. Najib’s speech was read by Defence Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Subhan Jasmon as he is in Kelantan for the Pengkalan Pasir by-election. Since the Sept 11 incident in New York, there has been renewed interest in the security of the straits. "This can perhaps be attributed to the perception that terrorists might use the surrounding areas as a haven to disrupt international trade or even just to gain financial support through ransom of hijacked ships. "Although piracy or armed robbery at sea does not pose a significant threat to the state, there is the possibility that pirate activities might become instruments of terrorists. Malaysia and the other littoral states acknowledge these concerns." On the inaccurate perception of the straits being infested with pirates and that the threat of maritime terrorism made it unsafe for users, he stressed that many steps had been taken at the domestic and regional levels to mitigate the security challenges. "The International Maritime Bureau has reported a drastic drop in cases over the last five months." This is the first time that the conference, held before the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition, has been opened to international participants. © NST Online.

Strategy ‘to make Straits very much less secure’
Langkawi - A grand geopolitical strategy is in place to make the Straits of Malacca much less secure, according to an academician from India. Panjab University Centre for the Study of Geopolitics co-ordinator Dr Sanjay Chaturvedi claimed the Straits of Malacca, which had been relocated to the United States’ New Pentagon map, was likely to be far more militarised and “securitised” following “perceived risk and threat.” Advising the authorities in the region to initiate strategic collaboration and plan of action for comprehensive security, Dr Sanjay said failure to co- operate through multilateral networks might compromise the sovereignty of the littoral states. “The Pentagon’s New Map is interesting, not only for what it reveals but more so for what it conceals,” he said. Dr Sanjay presented a paper on The Pentagon’s New Map and The Straits of Malacca: Exporting Security? at the Lima Inter-national Maritime Conference yesterday. The conference on Enhancing Security in the Straits of Malacca: Amalgamation of Solutions to Keep the Straits Open to All attracted 186 participants. “There is a critical difference between enhancing comprehensive security in the Straits and securitising the Straits to protect and promote geopolitical agenda favouring certain actors, interests and alliances,” he said. Dr Sanjay said the declaration made by the London- based Joint War Committee of Underwriters (JWCU) that Straits of Malacca was a “war-risk and terrorist zone” would help the “grand strategies.” Dr Sanjay said the impression given that the Straits was infested with terrorists was unwarranted. “Piracy happens every where around the world. Given the high number of vessels that ply the route, the number of pirate attacks is very low in terms of percentage. So, why isolate Straits of Malacca and characterise it as a problem area?” he said. © 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.

Ten thousand officers needed
THE global shortage of qualified officers now stands at about 10,000, the fourth BIMCO/ISF manpower survey has found. Its conclusions, published today, estimate the worldwide supply of officers to number 466,000 compared with demand for 476,000. Ratings, on the other hand, show a significant surplus: 721,000 available against demand for 586,000. In its executive summary, the report describes the officer shortfall as “modest” and “less severe than in 2000”, when the previous report was produced. “There is some evidence of improved supply which, in the Indian sub-continent and Far East, reflects increased levels of maritime training,” the report notes. But demand will continue to rise, it says, as the number and size of ships increase and “this demand will only be met if the increase in levels of recruitment and training is maintained and wastage rates are reduced,” the report concludes. © Lloyd's Register - Fairplay Ltd 2005.

4 ASEAN nations to conduct joint maritime border patrols
Manila - Leaders of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) have adopted a Filipino proposal to conduct joint maritime border patrols to fight terrorists and criminals. Philippine Daily Inquirer Sunday quoted Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Jesus Dureza as saying that the joint patrols would be conducted on "a continuous basis." "It will be no longer just during military exercises just what is happening today but a continuing security patrol in the subregion area," he said following a BIMP-EAGA leaders' meeting in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of a summit meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Other details of the proposal are still being discussed, he said, adding that the leaders of Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia have already agreed to Arroyo's proposal. Aside from the joint security patrols, the leaders of the four countries also agreed to adopt a BIMP-EAGA roadmap of development to be implemented from 2006 to 2010 through some "practical and sustainable programs and projects" in the fields of transportation, infrastructure, information, and communication technology, natural resources, tourism and small to medium enterprises, he said. Dureza also disclosed an Indonesian proposal for the BIMP-EAGA to set up an energy cooperation investment program to ensure that its members have sufficient fuel reserves should a shortage occur amid soaring oil prices. ©2003 Xinhua News Agency.

4 countries to sign SOP on coordinated patrols in Malacca Strait
Jakarta - The Malacca Strait`s four littoral states- Indonesia, Singapore , Malaysia-- and Thailand - will sign a set of standard operating procedures (SOP) on the conduct of their coordinated security patrols in the busy sea-lane. The SOP will among other things allow a patrol ship from one country to pursue a maritime offender into the territorial waters of another country, Rear Admiral Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno, chief of the Indonesian Navy`s Western Fleet Commnad, said here Saturday. "So far, we always face the problem of not being able to pursue an offender all the way if he flees into the territorial waters of another country. After the signing of the SOP, we won`t be having this problem anymore," Purdijatno said. Under the SOP, a patrol ship of one of the four countries can enter the territorial waters of another country to chase criminals on condition that it will not fire its weapons or engage in other military actions. The signing of the SOP would improve the effectiviness and efficiency of the coordinated patrols of the four countries. In addition to the coordinated patrols, security operations in the Strait would also be supported by the provision of intelligence from an air-surveillance facility dubbed "Eye in the Sky." "Unlike a piece of land, a maritime territory cannot be occupied permanently. We can only control it. Therefore, we will assign more ships to the area in the near future," Tedjo said. On a US government plan to donate 40-year-old landing ship tanks (LST) to Indonesia, Tedjo said, the ships could be used in patrol assignments provided they were adequately equipped and properly maintained. "We also have old LSTs. Aid commitments from the U.S and Japan that can be realized in the near future cover equipment, data, information and training," he said. About present security conditions in the Strait, Tedjo said compared with the situation in the past two years, the crime rate in the busy sealane had sharply declined. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) had lowered the degree of the security risks in the Strait from red alert to "under control." The organization had also praised the Indonesian Navy`s performance in intelligence and maritime operation in the Strait despite the absence of a bilateral agreement on maritime borders between Indonesia and Singapore, Tedjo said. © 2005 LKBN ANTARA.

Aeronautical R & D cooperation with RI possible: Mahathir by Anissa S. Febrina
Langkawi - With Indonesia currently experiencing a glut of aeronautical engineers, long-time partner Malaysia has offered cooperation in the research and development side of the industry. "We understand that the current economic situation in Indonesia does not allow it to further develop its own aviation industry," former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday. "However, there are already a lot of good engineers there and Malaysia is looking into building cooperation in that sector." Speaking on the sidelines of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition, Mahathir expressed his views about the importance of the industry for the future of any nation. Indonesia's aviation industry had its heyday with the establishment of state aircraft maker IPTN, now PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI), which jointly produced several types of small aircraft. But since the 1997 crisis, the firm has disappeared from the limelight. PT DI even had to lay off about 6,000 employees due to financial constraints Indonesia held its biggest aviation exhibition in 1986 in Jakarta. The LIMA biennale exhibition kicked off on Dec. 6, with a spectacular aerial display. The event showcases cutting-edge aerospace, naval and maritime hardware. It was initiated by the former prime minister in 1993. The six-day exhibition comprises two parts: the Aerospace Exhibition at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Center (MIEC) and the Maritime Exhibition at Tanjung Malai. The last LIMA exhibition generated business totaling US$575 million based on 30 contracts, letters of offer and memorandums of understanding. © The Jakarta Post.

Asian interests and the myth of 'balance' by Siddharth Varadarajan
The East Asian Summit process, the proposed Asian energy grid, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation are three pillars of the emerging strategic architecture in Asia. There is no need for the region to turn to outside powers in the name of "balance of power." This week, the leaders of several Asian countries — India, China, Korea, Japan, and the ASEAN states — will meet in Malaysia for the first-ever East Asia Summit (EAS). Australia and New Zealand, which, like India, are on the periphery of East Asia, have also been invited to the summit since they are considered vital to the economic geography of the region. Many years in the making, the EAS is still something of an unknown quantity. The countries participating know the event is important, even if they are not quite sure why. The only country that is quite clear about the importance of the summit is the United States, which, rightly, sees great strategic significance in the fact that it will not be there. The U.S. has a considerable and growing military presence in the continent stretching all the way from Turkey and Iraq in the west to the Kyrgyz Republic in the north and Okinawa in the east. Its armed forces are fighting two wars on the soil of Asia. Yet, people forget the fact that the U.S. is not in Asia. When Mahathir Mohammed of Malaysia first proposed an East Asian Economic Caucus in the 1990s, Washington strongly objected to the idea. Japan, under trade pressure from the U.S. through Super 301, initially hinted at support for the concept but quickly backed off. The proposal soon withered. There were sound economic reasons for the Malaysian proposal failing to get traction at the time: China and India were not major players and Asian countries traded more with the outside world than with each other. Nor was Dr. Mahathir's political agenda an attractive one. The Cold War had ended, there was talk of "multipolarity" and little concern in Asia that the continent would need an organisation to restrain the exercise of American power. Into this institutional vacuum, the U.S., and Australia stepped in with APEC, a forum linking East Asia with the Americas, thereby diluting the concept of Asia. In the intervening decade and a half, the entire strategic scenario in Asia has changed. There are three distinct elements involved. First, patterns of trade — and the nature of trading arrangements — in Asia and the world have radically altered. Despite the onset of the World Trade Organisation with its emphasis on `most favoured nation' status, there has been an explosion in preferential trading areas (PTAs) around the world. Asia has its share of bilateral PTAs but there is nothing at the multilateral level to match what Europe, North America, and South America have done. At the same time, intra-Asian trade has risen dramatically. The trade of each Asian country with the group of `Developing Asian Countries' increased at a much faster rate than its trade with the rest of the world during 1991-2000, notes Ramesh Chand of the National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research in a recent monograph, Free Trade in Asia (Academic Foundation, 2006). China has supplanted the U.S. as South Korea's most important trading partner. India's trade with the DAC went up from 11.8 per cent of its total trade in 1990 to 24 per cent by 2000 (The only major exception to this trend is China, due to the sheer volume of its trade worldwide). This neighbourhood bias in trade suggests Asia is following the same path as Europe did in the run-up to its formal integration as a trading bloc. Secondly, the growth of China and India and the discovery of oil and gas in Central Asia have transformed the Asian energy scene since some of the largest producers and consumers of hydrocarbons are now located in the continent. However, the dynamics of the world oil and gas markets are still driven by benchmarks set by Europe and North America. The price volatility of recent months — which is more the product of speculative activity on western mercantile exchanges than a reflection of actual supply demand mismatch — provides an incentive for major Asian producers and consumers to come together and see what can be done to ensure greater stability in the energy market. Thirdly, a host of new threats and security challenges have arisen in the run-up to 9/11 and its aftermath that require a collective Asian approach. These include terrorism, the stationing of outside military forces in the region, the development of new weapons of mass destruction and doctrines, the notions of `regime change' and `preventive war', as well as issues of maritime security and disaster relief. Each of these three underlying changes — on the trade, energy, and security fronts — poses challenges and presents opportunities that require separate institutional mechanisms. It is not a coincidence that the past year has witnessed serious efforts by several Asian countries to push in this direction. On the security front, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is evolving into a broad-based entity linking China, Russia, and the Central Asian countries with India, Iran, and Pakistan — which joined as observers earlier this year. There is also the Russia-India-China initiative that has involved frequent consultations on strategic issues. At its last summit, the SCO called on the U.S.-led coalition forces in the region to specify a timeframe by when they will leave. At the same time, the organisation has begun speaking of developing regional capabilities to deal with the threats posed by terrorism. Joint military exercises between China and Russia, as well as China and India, and India and Russia have been held. The Russians are now speaking of trilateral military exercises involving these three countries. Could the SCO be the harbinger for a pan-Asian confidence-building body based on a new security concept of mutual respect and cooperation rather than the outdated, dangerous idea of "balance of power"? For this to happen, India, China, and Russia have to work closely together but Japan and South Korea too will have to be brought within the ambit of the SCO. On the trade front, the EAS process will likely provide answers about the precise institutional shape greater Asian cooperation will take. Along with the creation of an Asian free trade area with developing country safeguards, there is need for Asia to develop its own financial institutions. The absence of such institutions led to the 1997 Asian financial crisis and to its deflationary denouement, as countries like Indonesia and South Korea were forced by the International Monetary Fund to accept irrational conditionalities. Finally, the energy front has seen two sets of promising meetings between major Asian producers and consumers this year, held at the initiative of the Indian Ministry for Petroleum and Natural Gas. On the agenda are not just financial and inventory-related measures to stabilise prices but, more importantly, the creation of pan-Asian pipeline grids. The proposed $22 billion grid -- unveiled in New Delhi at the end of November -- will allow gas to be moved around the region more easily, avoiding geopolitically sensitive maritime choke points like the Straits of Hormuz, Malacca, and Taiwan. Pan-Asian energy grids will also give a major boost to regional political cooperation and inter-dependence. In the light of developments in these three directions, the evolution of an Asian strategic architecture is only a matter of time. The one fly in the ointment is the U.S., which would like to scuttle all such exclusively Asian initiatives. For years, Washington has thrived on Asian insecurities, often fuelling suspicions and rivalries between countries. The more there is a perception of insecurity — China versus Japan, China versus India, Japan versus Korea, India versus Pakistan, not to speak of `minor' insecurities — the greater the role for the U.S. as a "balancer." While it is understandable for the U.S. to advocate the concept of `balance,' what is inexplicable is India's decision to do so as well. In a speech to the India Economic Forum on November 28, Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran offered the U.S. India's help in this `balance of power' game. "If we are looking at Asia in the coming years, there is no doubt that there is a major realignment of forces taking place in Asia," Mr. Saran said. "There is the emergence of China as a global economic powerhouse. There will be increased capabilities that China will be able to bring to bear in this region and even beyond. India also is going to be a major player in Asia ... I think India and the United States can contribute to a much better balance in the Asian region." Though Mr. Saran acknowledges India's "strong engagement" with China, he adds: "We believe that in terms of managing the emerging security scenario in Asia we need to bring more and more countries within the discipline of a mutually agreed security paradigm for this region. I think both the U.S. and India can contribute to that." China, presumably, is the main country needing the "discipline" of a "security paradigm" to which India and the U.S. can "contribute." It doesn't take a lot of analysis to recognise that these ideas run counter to the new spirit so evident in Asia. Taken together with other recent shifts in Indian foreign policy, they suggest India's commitment to Asia may be less robust than its commitment to the United States. © Copyright 2005 GlobalResearch.ca.

Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines to hold joint maritime patrols
Kuala Lumpur - Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines will conduct patrols to beef up security in their sub-regional development areas. Leaders of the four countries agreed on the security patrols to curb threats such as piracy and transnational crimes which were hampering investments in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia- Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). "Further discussions will be held to iron out details of the exercise," Jesus Dureza, the Philippines' Presidential Assistant for Mindanao, was quoted by Bernama news agency as saying after the second BIMP-EAGA summit in Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 11. "The security patrols will be within the BIMP-EAGA framework and will take place on a continuous basis," he said. © Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

China and neighbors to improve sea safety
Joint measures to improve maritime safety and the marine environment are set to be introduced by China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Liu Gongchen, deputy director of the China Maritime Safety Administration, said yesterday that a series of agreements on maritime co-operation on all sides will soon be reached. He spoke after China and eight ASEAN countries Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam attended the first meeting of China-ASEAN Maritime Consultation Mechanism, which opened yesterday in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province. Agreements on a range of issues which include port state control, environmental protection, navigation and hydrographic surveys, seafarers training and accident investigation, will be signed following the discussion, Liu said. The mechanism was initiated early in October 2003 when China's Minister of Communications Zhang Chunxian attended the China-ASEAN Communication Ministerial Forum in Myanmar. Leaders hope port state control co-operation will help eliminate substandard ships and enhance navigation safety for ships in the region. In addition, both sides will establish an expertise-exchange mechanism, sending port state control officers to each other to share experience in the maritime sector. China and ASEAN will also improve co-operation on search and rescue at sea by jointly holding drills, to enhance emergency responses and fight against sea terrorism and piracy. On the co-operation of seafarers training, China and ASEAN will strengthen communication between maritime training institutes from all sides through the exchange of teaching staff and students, mutual recognition of training courses and certification. The maritime co-operation between China and ASEAN has been enhanced to mutually benefit all sides in recent years. In 2004, China and the Philippines held joint maritime search and rescue drills in Beijing and Manila, and later in April this year, both sides signed a memorandum of understanding about maritime co-operation. © China Daily.

India, ASEAN agree to fight collectively scourge of terror
Kuala Lumpur - With terrorism posing a major threat to the collective security of the region, India and ASEAN today agreed to fight together the menace and strengthen maritime security in the piracy-infested Malacca Straits. "Terrorism is still a major threat to our collective security in this region. We are saddened with the loss of lives as a result of the recent bombings in India (serial blast in Delhi in October)," Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, who is the current head of ASEAN said at the fourth India-ASEAN summit. "We believe that it is timely to proceed with implementing some form of concrete cooperation based on the ASEAN-India declaration on cooperation to combat international terrorism which was adopted in Bali," he said. Corraborating Abdullah’s viewpoint, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh agreed to further cooperation in these two areas, Secretary (East) in the External Affairs Ministry Rajiv Sikri told reporters Issue of intensifying cooperation in the field of terrorism between India-ASEAN figured prominently in the discussions, Prime Minister’s Media Advisor Sanjaya Baru said. India and the ten ASEAN countries also agreed to work together in disaster management and establishing an early warning system for tsunami. The decisions were taken at the fourth India-ASEAN summit where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said India would adopt a "pragmatic and flexible" approach over the exclusion of products in the FTA with ASEAN countries. India also pledged five million dollars for initiating several schemes in ASEAN countries and announced a one million dollars contribution to the ASEAN Development Fund. Addressing the ASEAN leaders, the Prime Minister offered India’s expertise in making generic drugs to southeast Asian nations to deal with the Avian influenza. Briefing reporters at the conclusion of the summit, Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry Rajiv Sikri said both ASEAN and India agreed to take substantive measures to combat terrorism and offered to cooperate with littoral states in the region to ensure maritime security in piracy-infested Malacca Straits. ASEAN sought India’s assistance in dealing with the menace of terrorism, fighting diseases like Avian flu besides pressing for greater economic cooperation including a FTA. India, for its part, asked ASEAN to invest its huge surplus in the country’s infrastructure development, a major deficit hindering economic growth. The Prime Minister announced a slew of proposals at the summit that included centres for English language training in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. A tele-medicine and tele-education network for the four developing ASEAN countries was also proposed. The four countries would be linked with India through a satellite-based network. On the energy front, the two sides decided to step up cooperation in bringing about energy security in the region considering most of the countries in the region were not endowed with fossil fuel. The two sides said they would cooperate in abundantly available non-conventional energy sources like solar, tidal and wind power. In a bid to enhancing connectivity, Sikri said road connectivity has already been established between India and Mayanmar which is being extended to other countries in the Southeast Asian region, specifically Thailand. On rail connectivity, Sikri said feasibility study for linking India and Myanmar has already been completed and a study would now be undertaken to extend it to Vietnam. To deal with Avian flu, India, which has developed expertise in bio-technology and pharmaceuticals, will cooperate in supplying anti-viral drugs in the South East Asian region and facilitate in the stockpiling of medicine as well. During the bilateral meeting the Prime Minister had with his Japanese counterpart, Tokyo agreed to continue its joint efforts with India, Brazil and Germany for permanent membership of the UN Security Council, Sikri said. On the occasion, Japanese Prime Minister Junichro Koizumi extended an invitation to Singh to visit Tokyo next year to which the Indian Prime Minister agreed to in principle. In Singh’s meeting with the South Korean leader Roh Moo Hyun, Seoul evinced interest in stepping up cooperation in oil and gas apart from the steel sector in which a South Korean firm Posco has signed a MoU for setting up a 12 billion dollar steel plant in Orissa. President A P J Abdul Kalam would be visiting South Korea next year. To a question if the ASEAN plus three countries of Japan, South Korea and China have agreed to work towards East Asian community building, Sikri said India believed in building an open and inclusive East Asian community. Recognising that India was an important and influential member of the global community, Abdullah Badawi said New Delhi was fast emerging as a "major growth pole" in the world. "As a major power, we hope that India would continue to work with ASEAN in matters pertaining to disarmament. ASEAN is totally opposed to all weapons of mass destruction and maintains it call for the total elimination of WMD," he said. To this India said it was committed to universal disarmament. "We are responsible nuclear power recognised by the entire world," Sikri said. "We are also generally happy with the state of India’s relations with other major powers as testified by the visit of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the United States in last July. India’s improved relations with its neighbouring countries especially Pakistan is also key to peace and stability in South Asia and the region as a whole," Sikri said. © 2005 Press Trust of India (PTI).

JAGS-CT bolsters cross border trade relations with Indonesia by Cathy Apelacio
Glan, Sarangani - As President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo winded up her attendance yesterday to the 11th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, local officials in Sarangani in coordination with key national line agencies and business organizations have advanced "cross-border trade between the Jose Abad Santos-Glan-Sarangani Cooperation Triangle (JAGS-CT) and its Indonesian trading partners." On Monday, officials established an inter-agency Customs Immigration Quarantine Service (CIQS), signaling the start of cross-border trade relations. Reinforcing the "JAGS-CT-Indonesia trade linkage" was a Memorandum of Understanding inked by Glan Mayor Enrique Yap Jr., JAGS-CT chair, and mayors Alex Wangkay of Jose Abad Santos and Jerry Cawa of Sarangani Island, Davao del Sur with a shipping corporation and officials of national line agencies. "The Customs Immigration Quarantine Service (CIQS) sets the stage for the legal flow of goods and services in JAGS-CT and Indonesia in the future," Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez said while commending businessmen and officials for capsulizing the local initiative. President Arroyo's active participation in the ASEAN Summit has sought to advance Philippines' stake in the ASEAN particularly in the areas of energy, counterterrorism, maritime security, and the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area, or BIMP-EAGA. JAGS-CT supports the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia- Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area enhancing cross-border linkages in trade, tourism and investments particularly with "northern provinces of Indonesia." The President said the country needs "to boldly step up the alleviation of poverty in the BIMP-EAGA sub-region through investments and tourism, making it the broader strategic arena for durable peace and development in Mindanao." With the CIQS enforced, traders here anticipate that products such as charcoal, softdrinks, slippers and other indigenous craftsmanship are likely to be "the first goods" shipped for Indonesia. Mayor Yap assured that JAGS-CT will also endeavor to boost not only the promotion of revenues within the triangle but also jobs and employment. Earlier President Arroyo and Jesus Dureza, chair of Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo), have described JAGS-CT as "a showcase of local development initiative" earning the nod from the palace. © Philippines Information Agency (PIA).

Japan proposed cooperating in securing Malacca Straits
Jakarta - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked Japan to cooperate in ensuring maritime security in the Malacca Straits, local media said. At the bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Dec. 14, Susilo invited Japan to join in developing infrastructure in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)'s east region, comprising Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, cooperate in energy, particularly oil and gas exploration, and build oil refineries in the region. © Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

Malaysia, Indonesia may soon let foreign nations help boost Malacca Strait security
Kuala Lumpur - The United States, China, Japan and other powers may soon be asked to contribute equipment and expertise to help fight threats such as piracy in the world's busiest shipping lane, officials said Thursday. Foreign assistance in the Malacca Strait will be sought to strengthen air patrols launched last September by Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, the three countries that border the route, Indonesian Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said. "Other nations can be invited to help us in technical matters, but they will not be approached to send their maritime forces here," Juwono said after holding discussions on border security with his Malaysian counterpart, Najib Razak. Each year, about 50,000 ships, carrying half the world's oil and a third of its commerce, use the Malacca Strait. Officials reported 37 pirate attacks in the strait in 2004, and some security experts have voiced fears that terrorists might target ships passing through it. Najib said officials have not decided which foreign nations could offer aid, but Juwono listed the United States, China and Japan as countries that have a stake in security because the Malacca Strait is a key maritime trade route for them. "Once the concept has been firmed up in its operational sense, then we can invite countries beyond the region to participate," said Najib, who is also Malaysia's deputy prime minister. "There is a possibility, not too long from now, for them contribute to the security of the Malacca Strait, because the reality is that our countries lack the assets and technology to ensure tight surveillance," Najib added. Juwono added that Indonesia has not begun fully conducting air patrols under the "Eyes in the Sky" project because its navy and air force need more funds from the government. Neighboring Thailand will soon start taking part in the project, which complements coordinated boat patrols that the other three governments launched last year, Najib said. Officials have previously said Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore need more patrol aircraft with radar to locate small boats normally used by pirates. But any planes provided by others would be controlled and commanded by those three countries. Malaysia and Indonesia have long said they oppose any foreign offer to intervene directly to boost security, stressing that other countries must respect their territorial sovereignty. © The Jakarta Post.

Manila hopes for peace deal with rebels next
Kuala Lumpur - The Philippine government hopes to seal a peace agreement with Muslim separatist rebels in the country’s south by the middle of next year but extremist groups remain a threat, an official said yesterday. Jesus Dureza, chief presidential aide for the southern island of Mindanao, said the presence of US troops in the area giving non-combat support to Filipino soldiers was crucial in the fight against terrorism. The peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is “being worked on”, Dureza said on the sidelines of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit here. “There have been very, very positive points already in the contentious issues, especially on ancestral domain, so we are confident that by the middle of next year we will wrap up this agreement.” MILF rebels have been battling for a separate Islamic state in Mindanao since the late 1970s and have distanced themselves from the extremist Abu Sayyaf group, blamed for a spate of kidnappings and bomb attacks. But Dureza said extremist groups remain a threat. “They will continue to take opportunities. They are there. You cannot discount them,” said Dureza, chairman of the Mindanao Economic Development Council. “Since they belong to a group that is fanatical and have a very clear objective of hurting people without regard of hurting civilians, they are a factor in our security concerns.” Abu Sayyaf are believed to have links with the Al Qaeda terror group. The Southeast Asia-based Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militant group is also thought to have clandestine training bases in Mindanao. “We are addressing the issue very decisively. We’ve got most of the wanted JI leaders,” Dureza said. He said the presence of a small group of US troops in Mindanao was “positively welcomed.” “They are not doing combat operations. The Americans are providing support in terms of intelligence and providing hardware for our military. Of course the US role is important, especially in the fight against terrorism.” Four Southeast Asian countries agreed yesterday to start joint sea patrols to fight cross-border crimes and beef up security in piracy-prone waters around the southern Philippines, officials said. Security in the area, prone to sea robberies, smuggling and kidnappings, topped the agenda when leaders of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines met yesterday on the eve of annual talks of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean). “We are moving forward ... in conducting probably joint patrols,” Philippines government official Jesus Dureza told reporters in the Malaysian capital, adding that they could be coordinated, cross-border patrols. “It will be no longer just during military exercises but on continuous basis so that we can protect this sub-region from transnational crimes and terrorism,” he said. “You cannot bring in investment in that area if the level of security, the confidence in security is not that high. We have to address this,” Dureza added. The four countries also agreed to consider joint investments in energy to prevent a supply crunch in the so-called East Asian Growth Area (EAGA) bordering the four nations. Dureza said Indonesia proposed that the EAGA nations — one of Asean’s poorer sub-regions — step up cooperation to ensure sufficient fuel reserves in the area. Indonesia has recently become a net importer of oil and gas while the region’s other majors producers, Malaysia and Brunei, are straying into deeper and deeper water to find new reserves to replace production from maturing fields closer to home. The Philippines is also a net importer of oil and gas. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said yesterday energy, terrorism and maritime security would top her agenda in the Asean summit. Arroyo, who left yesterday to attend the summit in Kuala Lumpur, said she would call for “decision and action on key issues on trade, investment, security and human development” during the annual meeting. “We need to pursue investments in energy infrastructure and seek wider collaboration in new and renewable energy and alternative fuels if we need to keep our economies humming, and our lights on, through the next three decades,” she said in a statement. Arroyo also stressed the need for Asean to step up co-operation with other partners, such as the United States, China and Russia, in fighting terrorism and other security threats. In the region, she said she would call for more collaboration in maritime security, saying, “Joint border patrols must be the norm across our common seas.” While in Kuala Lumpur, Arroyo would also be attending a conference on the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). She said she would call on leaders to support efforts to step up poverty alleviation in the BIMP-EAGA sub-region through investments and tourism. © Gulf Times Newspaper, 2005.

Manmohan, Putin reach higher ‘comfort levels’ by Rajan Moses
ASEAN heads of government and their counterparts Dr Manmohan Singh from India and President Vladimir Putin of Russia attained higher "comfort levels" at their respective summits yesterday. After undergoing torrid rounds of tough trade negotiations and arrangements with Indian delegates before the summit, Asean officials had looked forward to a gentler touch. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan provided just the tonic. Officials pronounced his approach to issues as highly intellectual and noted he had exhibited deftly to his Asean counterparts that India was really keen on boosting ties with the regional grouping and becoming more involved via the East Asia Summit. For Putin, it was his pioneer encounter with the Asean leaders as a group and maiden exposure to the region’s collective issues. The Russians at the summit demonstrated their eagerness to become more engaged with Asean and the EAS. But behind the scenes, some Asean members, said to be Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, believe Moscow needs to further build its ties and become more familiar with the region in order to gain entry into the EAS. Putin will address the inaugural EAS tomorrow as Malaysia’s guest. In the meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Asean heads, one issue in focus was maritime security, especially in the vital Straits of Malacca. Japan pledged assistance to enhance the ability of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia to effectively police the straits. Seoul, being well ahead of its Asean neighbours in ICT, agreed to look into a proposal to make low-cost computers for needy Asean folk. © 2005 NST Online.

Maritime security critical to economic and energy safety of Asia by May Wong
Singapore - Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng has described maritime security as a strategic arena which Singapore and regional countries must address robustly. It is critical to a global trading port like Singapore and it ensures the economic and energy security of the Asia Pacific region. Mr Wong, who is also Home Affairs Minister, was speaking at the launch of RSS Stalwart, the Singapore Navy's fifth frigate. He said the consequences of an attack in the Straits make it an attractive target for terror groups. He pointed out that the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) had explored attacks against naval ships in Singapore as well as against shipping in the Malacca Straits. Mr Wong said the enhancement of Singapore Navy's capabilities is therefore timely in the face of today's demanding security environment. © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd.

Pirate attacks in Straits of Malacca decline
Lumut - Ten piracy cases were reported in the Straits of Malacca up to last week this year down from 16 in the corresponding period last year, said Royal Malaysian Marine Police senior commander Senior Asst Comm (I) Abdul Rahman Ahmad. “We hope to see another significant drop in cases next year with more security improvements,” he told reporters after witnessing a handing over of duties at the state marine police headquarters in Kampung Acheh, about 15km from here yesterday. New Northern Region Marine Police chief Asst Comm Zainul Abidin Hassan has taken over from Supt R. Mogan. SAC Abdul Rahman said he expected security in the Straits to be further strengthened following plans by the United States to donate ships and rubber boats to Indonesia to carry out patrols. He added that such a move was vital as it would complement security measures taken by Malaysia. © 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.

Promise of bigger LIMA 2007
Langkawi - The six-day Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) 2005 which ended Sunday reflects Malaysia's progress in the aviation, aerospace, maritime and defence industries. Speculations that the next Lima will not be held in Langkawi have been answered with confirmation by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that the legendary island will remain the venue. Besides the success in clinching contracts worth RM4 billion (RM1.14 billion during Lima 2003), this year's edition also exhibited the capabilities of Malaysian companies in the respective industries. Among the companies are Composites Technology Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd (CTRM), which has become a leader in composite manufacturing and is given the trust to produce and supply composite parts for the Airbus A380, A400M and other aircraft. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in his speech at the opening of Lima 2005 last Wednesday, called on the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) to consider working with Malaysia to facilitate the transfer of new aerospace and maritime technology. The purchase of four A400M military transport aircraft for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) worth RM2.8 billion at Lima 2005 was the biggest deal. The purchase of the aircraft gave Malaysia, through CTRM, an industrial work package almost equal to the value of the aircraft. Malaysia gets to enjoy the package from next year although the A400M aircraft will only be delivered in 2013. Najib said he was happy with Lima 2005 after getting positive feedback from the participants. Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who also visited the exhibition, was satisfied with the achievements of the Malaysian companies, especially in the field of aviation and aerospace. The air segment at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) attracted 400 local and foreign participants while 60 aircraft were put on display in the static section. The exhibition at MIEC attracted about 10,000 visitors Sunday. The maritime segment at Porto Malai witnessed the signing of contracts by the government through the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and the newly formed Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). The contracts, worth RM153 million, included the modernisation of two mine counter measure vessels and supply of spare part exocet weapon system. The MMEA signed three contracts worth RM20 million for the supply of general purpose machine guns, shoes and delivery of 25 inflatable boats and 10 trailers. A total of 164 participants from 18 countries, comprising 130 international participants and 34 locals, took part in the maritime exhibition. Although most of the exhibitors were from companies which had participated in Lima before, Najib said they brought along new technology. A total of 54 vessels, mostly owned by the RMN, like the KD Kasturi and KD Laksamana, docked at Awana Porto Malai. The private sector was also busy signing memorandums of understanding (MoU) including Comintel Sdn Bhd which signed MoUs with three companies from Italy for facilities to upgrade navy equipment. Another local company, Nautica Nova Shipbuilding & Engineering Sdn Bhd, signed an MoU with Kalmar Industries OY AB to jointly produce rubber tyre gantry crane. For Lima 2007, organiser HW LIMA Sdn Bhd has promised a bigger show with participation from more countries and companies. © 2005 BERNAMA.

Policy recommendations for the East Asia Summit by Tan See Seng and Ralf Emmers
Singapore - On Wednesday, representatives of 16 nations will gather in Kuala Lumpur for the inaugural session of the East Asia Summit (EAS). Participants to this meeting will comprise the 10 memers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus China, Japan and South Korea, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and India. As Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo said, the EAS represents a crucial part of the region's "collective response to the dramatic changes taking place in the world - globalization, the re-emergence of China and India, the challenge of international terrorism, and the revolutionary impact of new technologies." The summit offers an opportunity to shape the East Asian region in ways that will best maintain its economic dynamism, enhance regional security, and preserve peace and stability. The EAS is neither a replacement for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) or the ASEAN-Plus-Three (China, Japan and South Korea), nor a surrogate for the host of functional mechanisms provided for under these regional frameworks. Rather, the summit complements these arrangements. Moreover, the EAS is a new grouping of 16 members distinct from the ASEAN-Plus-Three and other institutions in the region. The strategic purpose of the summit -- as understood by East Asian leaders -- remains unclear to many. Arguably, the EAS can be viewed not only as a confidence-building enterprise -- a central feature of all extant forms of East Asian regionalism -- but also as a future venue for substantive cooperation. To that end, we introduce a number of policy recommendations for regional collaboration that we believe are essential if the EAS is to graduate from a nascent institution for addressing broad concerns and generalized confidence-building to a regional mechanism armed with a thematic and problem-oriented agenda. It is imperative that members of the EAS establish a level of comfort among themselves. While the ASEAN countries have had almost four decades of collective experience in regional reconciliation, this experience is new for Northeast Asian members of the EAS, whose relations with each other have largely been confined to bilateral ties and the six-party talks, an ad hoc forum with a highly focused objective. Similarly, Australia and India also require time to establish confidence with their counterparts from East Asia. We therefore recommend that EAS participants treat the inaugural session in December 2005 as essentially a confidence-building exercise. But as the experience of Asian regionalism has taught, institutions with no other aim except confidence-building do not go far. It is imperative that the EAS move forward in due course to substantive collaboration on the complex issues and challenges that affect the region. We therefore urge the adoption by EAS members of a thematic and problem-oriented approach to regional challenges through functional cooperation on various issues, which we have divided into two time-sensitive "baskets" according to consensus and capabilities. For the immediate term, we envisage a series of plausible cooperative efforts in dealing with terrorism, piracy and maritime security, as well as health security. Among other recommendations, we encourage EAS members to devise a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy comprising operational, ideological and functional objectives. We recommend the creation of joint cooperation zones and more accurate assessments of the piracy and maritime terrorism situation in the Malacca Straits. We advocate developing a disease-surveillance control mechanism for the East Asian region as well as strengthening cooperation among health agencies at both interstate and intrastate levels to better deal with pandemics. For the medium to long term, we offer policy recommendations for tackling economic and energy challenges, human security concerns, forms of transnational crime, and the like. For instance, we see the EAS as an alternative venue -- with APEC and ASEAN-Plus-Three -- for initiating informal discussions on the realization of the East Asian Free Trade Area and issuing calls for the successful completion of the Doha Development Round. We urge EAS members to consider creating a regional fund for poverty reduction, and developing regional agreements on disaster management and emergency responses. We argue that regional law enforcement and legal cooperation against illegal money-laundering and trafficking in humans and narcotics can and should be enhanced through the EAS framework. We see confidence building as an ongoing objective of the EAS, upon which different layers of functional cooperation can be added at various stages. Our proposals for functional cooperation do not imply that we see the EAS as a replacement for existing regional institutions. Rather, the EAS complements them. [Tan See Seng is coordinator of the multilateralism and regionalism program, and Ralf Emmers is deputy head of studies at the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore]. © 2005 The Japan Times.