33 countries in terror battle pledge
Ministers from 33 countries have agreed to create common legal mechanisms that would make it easier to prosecute, extradite and keep terrorists in prison, delegates said in Bali today.
The countries set up two working groups to bolster evidence and intelligence sharing, encourage extradition treaties and improve co-operation among the police forces of the Asia Pacific region, according to a statement issued at the end of a two-day anti-terror conference.
They also urged states to improve maritime and aviation security, stop the flow of terrorist funding and prevent the illegal movement of nuclear, chemical and biological materials, the statement said.
“This meeting has achieved more concrete results than earlier meetings because we’ve got results on law enforcement, legal framework, information sharing and money laundering,” said Indonesian police chief Da’i Bachtiar.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer added: “This gives real momentum to the campaign against terrorism.”
The agreements fell short of enacting more far-reaching proposals that proponents say would be most effective in fighting terrorism, such as establishing a regional police force or a region-wide extradition treaty.
The ministers called on states to take measures “to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and materials and technologies related to their manufacture”.
The conference established one working group to improve co-operation among the region’s legal systems. Delegates said they want to make it easier for courts in one country to use evidence and witness testimony obtained in another.
A second working group will concentrate on law enforcement to, among other things, “develop a more effective information base and facilitate a more effective flow of criminal intelligence, including financial intelligence”, the closing statement said.
During the conference, Australia and Indonesia announced the creation of a new anti-terrorism training centre to be built in Indonesia and run jointly by the two countries.
The facility – called the Indonesia Centre for Law Enforcement Co-operation - will also serve as an information clearinghouse and provide experts to regional governments fighting terrorism.
Downer, whose country co-sponsored the conference with Indonesia, laid a wreath early today at a memorial for the 202 people – including 88 Australians - who were killed in the October 12, 2002 nightclub bombings in Bali.
