FORUM STRONGLY CONDEMNS ISRAELI ATTACK

By Jamaluddin Muhammad

HANOI, July 23 (Bernama) -- The Asean Regional Forum (ARF) Friday strongly
condemned the recent Israeli military attack on the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla
Convoy carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said the meeting reiterated the call for the
lifting of the blockade to ensure unimpeded access of humanitarian assistance to
the Palestinian people in Gaza to help alleviate their plight.

Malaysia briefed the meeting on its consultations with the United Nations
(UN) secretary-general, General Assembly president and the relevant member
states on the convening of a UN Emergency Special Session to discuss the issue,
in particular, the question of lifting the blockade on Gaza, he said.

"Malaysia also stated there has been an indication that the Emergency
Special Session could be convened sometime in August," he told Malaysian
jour nalists after attending the ARF at the National Convention Centre here.

Nine people were killed when Israeli commandos rappelled to an aid flotilla
of six ships carrying 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid, about 130km from the
Gaza's coast late May.

He said Malaysia, like others, wanted to see an end to the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the wider Arab-Israeli conflict.

The Malaysian Parliament last month passed a 15-point resolution, among
others, demanding the Security Council refer the attack to the International
Criminal Court.

ARF, the largest Asia-Pacific security forum, was attended by foreign
ministers from 27 countries, including members of the Asean, United States,
China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea and the European Union.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attended the meeting.

Anifah said the meeting also expressed deep concern over the sinking of the
South Korean naval ship Cheonan, near the Yellow Sea border last March.

The meeting called on all parties concerned to exercise restraint and
resolve disputes by peaceful means, he said.

The naval ship was allegedly torpedoed by a North Korean submarine, killing
49 seamen. Pyongyang has denied involvement.

On the Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, Anifah said Malaysia hoped
other Nuclear Weapon States too, reduce their nuclear arsenal, following the
signing of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) between US and Russia
last April.

The ARF also discussed terrorism, the situation in Afghanistan and the South
China Sea issues.

Turkey and Canada Friday signed the Asean Treaty of Amity and Cooperation at
the National Convention Centre, paving the way for a formal relationship with
the 10-nation grouping.

During the Asean Ministerial Meeting here on Tuesday, they discussed, among
others, progresses towards building an Asean Community by 2015, the
implementation of the Asean Charter and welcoming US and Russia to join the East
Asia Summit.

Asean foreign ministers held Asean+3 meeting with their counterparts from
Japan, China and South Korea and they reviewed the current and future direction
of the cooperation on Wednesday.

The Asean foreign ministers later joined their counterparts from Japan,
China, South Korea, India, New Zealand and Australia for an East Asia Summit
Foreign Ministers' Informal Consultations.

The Korean Peninsula issue and regional architecture were among the main
topics discussed.

Asean held dialogue with their 10 partners -- Australia, Canada, China,
European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and US -- here
Thursday.
-- BERNAMA


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