Iran suggests Asia parliament formation

pix: Iran's FM Mottaki speaks to reporters.
Iran suggests Asia parliament formation
Sun, 03 Aug 2008 09:47:04
Iran's foreign minister has proposed the foundation of an Asian parliament to play a more active role in the international community.
"The Asian unions including the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) , the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) should strengthen convergence within the framework of an Asian parliament with the aim of playing a greater international role," Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki told reporters in Sri Lanka Saturday.
Mottaki is in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo to attend the 15th SAARC summit. Iran has observer status in the organization.
Mottaki expressed hope that practical measures would be taken in the near future aimed at bolstering political and economic cooperation between Tehran and SAARC member countries.
He said that the expansion of Tehran-Colombo relations would prepare the appropriate groundwork for participation of Iranian companies in various projects in Sri Lanka.
SAARC was established in 1985 to provide a platform for the peoples of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding. It aims to accelerate the process of economic and social development in member states.
Senior officials from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives Islands, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are attending the two-day SAARC summit. China, Iran, Japan, Mauritius, South Korea and the US are taking part as observers.
SF/MR/BGH

Restoring Peace In Complex Emergencies: Give military bigger role in disaster relief ops, says Najib

SINGAPORE: The military has to be given greater role in carrying out humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as it has the capability and experience to handle such crisis situations. "It has to be recognised that military is a critical component in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak told an international security dialogue yesterday.
Najib, who is also the defence minister, said the recent natural disasters in Myanmar and China had proven the military's important role in humanitarian relief operations. The traditional relief mechanism, which incorporated the government, business and volunteer organisations that for years had been adequate to meet the needs for relief work were found to be inefficient and ineffective when dealing with crises involving an entire nation.

Speaking at a plenary session themed "Restoring Peace In Complex Emergencies" at the 7th IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies) Asia Security Summit - The Shangri-La Dialogue, Najib said challenges of such magnitude required for a more comprehensive and dynamic approach. He said the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management should recognise the military role if it wanted to increase its capacity building to enable it to undertake assistance in a more effective manner.
Although there were diverging views on the military involvement, there was wider consensus among Asean countries that the armed forces indeed had a key role in the area. "This is in line with the secondary or peace time role of the military in support of the ideals of a security community,” said Najib, who is also Defence Minister, noting that the standby arrangement under the Asean Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response, which were still being finalised, would facilitate deployment of military and civilian components at short notice.
On the centre, Najib said he hoped it could provide the leadership for regional response as it would deal with multiple contributors and agencies, and coordinate its activities effectively and eliminate the risk of inappropriate use of funds and resources. The Deputy Prime Minister also emphasised on the need to share information as it was vital for bthe success of the complex emergency operations.
On restoring security in complex emergencies, Najib said he was of the view that such efforts should not be undertaken on the basis of a unilateral action and Iraq was a classic example in the case. He said it was of utmost importance to respect the sovereignty of the affected state to dispel fear of interference into the internal affairs of that particular state. “Therefore, upon restoring security, there should be graceful exit by the countries involved in the process,” Najib said.
He said peace building in a complex emergency must be based on trust and transparency and the mediator should not dictate terms and conditions in cases where there was a need for parties to negotiate settlements. “Instead, it was important to create a conducive environment for them to negotiate to ensure lasting peace,” he added.
Speaking at a media conference after the summit, Najib said the cyclone tragedy serves as an acid test for Asean’s capability in helping its members faced with a real crisis. He said it was important for Asean, as an association, to show the world it had come a long way and that in the Myanmar case it should be able to help the country.
He said Asean was willing to send more military personnel and logistics requirements such as helicopters and boats to help distribute foreign aid to the victims who remained cut off in the cyclone-stricken zones and were starving.

Shangri-La Dialogue: Stop treating Europe as junior partner, France tells Asia

SINGAPORE, June 1, 2008 (AFP) - Asia must stop treating Europe as a junior partner, French Defence Minister Herve Morin warned Sunday, in a call for both sides to step up cooperation on terrorism and other security issues.
Addressing a regional security forum, he said Southeast Asia in particular would in future hold a "major strategic stake" for Europe.
"During the 25 years to come, the centre of gravity of the world will move more and more toward Asia," Morin, whose country will take over the presidency of the European Union on July 1, told the conference in Singapore.
"We are no longer in an environment that was long ago described as 'benign neglect' by Europe about Asia by a Singaporean prime minister. Symmetrically, Asia should not consider Europe as a second-ranking partner."
Morin told the forum of defence ministers, military chiefs, diplomats and experts that Asia and Europe needed to have stronger intelligence-sharing on terrorism, notably about Al-Qaeda and its branches.
"There is never enough transparency and communication on these topics," he said, adding: "Countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is also a priority."
He called for cooperation against maritime piracy and offered France's help with averting any problems that may arise as Southeast Asia's submarine forces patrol shallow waters and narrow routes.
Morin also said governments must discuss how to better organise assets in case of another European humanitarian operation in Southeast Asia, following the cyclone in Myanmar and earthquake in southwest China.
European nations colonised much of Asia but the United States has been the pre-eminent military, political and economic power in the region since the end of World War II.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates assured the Singapore forum on Saturday that Washington's military engagement in Asia will remain strong regardless of the outcome of the upcoming US presidential elections

Musa Aman: Nur Misuari's call a non-issue

source: nst
KOTA KINABALU: Nur Misuari's call for the International Court of Justice to resolve Sabah's status in relation to the Philippines claim over the state is a non-issue, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said yesterday.

He said there was "no need to address the matter" raised by Nur Misuari at a Moro National Liberation Front gathering in Davao City, south of the Philippines, over the weekend. However, Musa declined to elaborate.

MindaNews of the Philippines had reported Nur Misuari's call and the story was subsequently posted on the Malaysia Today website.

In his speech at the gathering, Nur Misuari had challenged Malaysia to show proof that Sabah belonged to the country.

Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee had said on Monday that "rumblings from Davao City" over the Philippines' claim on Sabah warranted the immediate attention of the National Security Council in Putrajaya and the Sabah State Security Committee.

Malaysia’s Middle Rocks The Dot Of An Exclamation Mark To Sleep Beyond South Ledge

Fishermen can access Middle Rocks – nst
By : V. Anbalagan from the The Hague
MALAYSIAN fishermen can now operate freely in the waters off Middle Rocks following the International Court of Justice's ruling, which awarded the uninhabited outcropping to Malaysia, an academician said.

Professor Dr Nik Anuar Nik Mahmud, senior lecturer with The Malay World and Civilisation Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said the navy and marine police could patrol the area without hindrance.

He said the air force would also have access to the airspace.

"We have been denied entry to that locality since 1986 after Singapore took control of Pulau Batu Puteh (PBP) and the two maritime features. The republic has lost that exclusivity now," he told Malaysian journalists. – MORE

Fishermen can now go fishing off Middle Rocks – thestar

PENGERANG (Johor): For the first time in decades, Malaysian fishermen will be able to fish off Middle Rocks, which are just 0.6 nautical miles south of Pulau Batu Puteh (or Pedra Branca), which now officially belongs to Singapore.

Yesterday, the International Court of Justice granted ownership of Pulau Batu Puteh to Singapore and the Middle Rocks to Malaysia.

“We will have a larger area to fish in,” said a fisherman who has been in the business for more than 30 years.

While some were disappointed that Pulau Batu Puteh went to Singapore, the fishermen said that the decision was fair and that the waters off Middle Rocks were also abundant with fish like sagai, tenggiri and bawal. .

Rock judgment: Fishermen from the Pengerang Fishermen’s Association watching the live telecast on the long awaited verdict on Pulau Batu Puteh.

Most of the fishermen here are optimistic that the governments of Malaysia and Singapore will work out something beneficial to both countries. -- MORE

Kuasa Singapura terhad - Nelayan kita kini bebas memasuki Middle Rocks selepas 22 tahun dihalang – utusan
Daripada Noraini Abd. Razak, The Hague
THE HAGUE, Belanda 24 Mei – Nelayan-nelayan di Johor terutamanya di kawasan Pengerang yang dihalang selama 22 tahun daripada mendekati perairan Middle Rocks, kini bebas menangkap ikan di kawasan tersebut berikutan keputusan Mahkamah Keadilan Antarabangsa (ICJ) di sini semalam mengekalkan kedaulatan bentuk maritim itu kepada Malaysia.
Lebih daripada itu, Singapura yang sebelum ini bertindak mengawal perairan di Pulau Batu Putih, Middle Rocks dan South Ledge sejak tahun 1986 tidak lagi mempunyai kebebasan untuk berbuat demikian kerana bidang kuasa mereka kini terhad kepada Pulau Batu Putih semata-mata.
Ejen Bersama, Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin berkata, biarpun keputusan menyerahkan kedaulatan Batu Putih yang diakui oleh ICJ dari sudut sejarah adalah milik Kesultanan Johor (Malaysia) kepada Singapura dilihat oleh banyak pihak sebagai mendukacitakan tetapi hakikatnya, kedudukan nelayan-nelayan adalah lebih bebas berbanding sebelum ini.
Malah, katanya, Malaysia kini bebas dan mempunyai kuasa untuk melakukan pelbagai kegiatan di Middle Rocks dan perairan sekitarnya termasuk menempatkan kapal tentera laut, menjalankan kajian meteorologi dan mengawal ruang udara di kawasan tersebut - kesemuanya tidak dapat dilakukan sebelum ini.
''Keadaan akan menjadi lebih berfaedah apabila kita dengan penuh yakin dapat mengekalkan kedaulatan ke atas South Ledge berikutan kedudukannya yang begitu hampir dengan Middle Rocks.
''Berdasarkan pengamatan dan kajian terhadap kedudukan South Ledge, Malaysia amat yakin kita akan memperoleh satu lagi bentuk maritim menjadikan aktiviti kita di perairan tersebut lebih luas,'' katanya kepada wartawan Malaysia di sini, malam tadi.
ICJ dalam keputusannya semalam memutuskan bahawa kedudukan South Ledge hendaklah ditentukan menerusi rundingan antara Malaysia dan Singapura bagi menentukan di perairan negara mana ia terletak. – LAGI

Myanmar Cyclone Nargis: UN's Ban says will meet Myanmar junta leader in effort to boost aid

source: AfP via MSN Malaysia News
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he would meet Myanmar's junta leader Senior General Than Shwe during a visit starting Thursday to convince the generals to accept a wider cyclone relief effort.

"After going to the affected areas, I will meet with senior government officials, including Senior General Than Shwe," Ban told reporters shortly after landing Wednesday in neighbouring Thailand.

Ban, who could not get through to the reclusive junta leader in the aftermath of the May 2-3 storm which has left at least 133,000 people dead or missing, also said he wanted a relief logistics base set up inside Myanmar.

He was to spend the night in the Thai capital Bangkok before heading to Myanmar, one of the most poorest and most isolated countries in the world, on Thursday.

There has been an international uproar over the limits on the aid operation imposed by the isolated junta, which is deeply suspicious of the outside world.

Ban also echoed warnings about the upcoming planting season for Myanmar's next rice harvest, with aid groups warning that hunger and disease are stalking around two million desperate survivors of Cyclone Nargis.

"It may be too late for farmers to plant for the next harvest," the secretary general said.