Pubdate: Sun, 01 Feb 2004
Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand)
Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2004
Contact:  http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/39
Author: Achara Ashayagachat

DRUGS, TERRORISM AND FLESH TRADE AGREEMENT AT FORUM

Capacity-Building, Small Firms Backed

East Asian and Latin American countries have agreed to fight against 
terrorism, drugs and human trafficking at a meeting in Manila.

Ministers of 32 countries from the Forum for East Asia-Latin America 
(Fealac) also agreed during the two-day conference to tackle trans-border 
threats including drugs, trafficking in women and children, small arms, and 
communicable diseases, said Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai.

The meeting also recognised that North Korea's development of nuclear 
weapons posed a threat to regional peace and stability, and supported the 
six-party dialogue on the issue.

Fealac comprises the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian 
Nations plus China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, while 
members on the Latin American side include Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, 
Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Paraguay, 
Peru, Panama, Uruguay and Venezuela. Two new members are Nicaragua and 
Guatemala.

The meeting adopted the Manila Plan of Action, which set the forum's 
priorities and direction in capacity-building and cooperation in enhancing 
micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, said the co-chair of this year's 
meeting, Philippine secretary of foreign affairs Delia Domingo Albert.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom