Foreign Correspondence

[Amaunet]

Badawi criticises Australia's anti-terror plan

Dec 18, 2004

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia joined Indonesia and New Zealand in criticising Australia's anti-terror plan, saying it threatened the sovereignty of Australia's neighbours and could cause tension in the region, news reports said on Saturday.

Australia announced on Wednesday that it planned to closely monitor ships far beyond its territorial waters to boost the country's defences against possible terror attacks on its soil and its offshore oil and gas facilities.

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the plan could impinge on the sovereignty of other nations and create problems in the region, the New Straits Times reported.

'Although our waters will not be affected, it is a move that is bound to create unease as no country likes to be treated in such a manner,' the daily cited Datuk Seri Abdullah as saying late on Friday.

He was speaking to Malaysian journalists in Dubai at the end of a four-day visit to the United Arab Emirates.

He said the 10-member Association of South-east Asian Nations should lodge a protest to Canberra over the proposal, noting that its members 'will not want any form of action...from any country, near or far that would be seen as violating their sovereignty', The Star daily reported.

The Australian plan has already drawn fire from Indonesia and New Zealand. Indonesia's Foreign Minister Hassan Wirjuda said on Thursday the initiative 'infringes on the country's archipelagic waters, where we have full sovereignty'.

Under the new plan, to be implemented in March, all vessels that enter within 1,000 nautical miles (1,850km) of Australia will be required to present detailed information to Australian defence and customs authorities.

Australia's Defence Minister Robert Hill denied his government was attempting to extend its territorial jurisdiction, and said the plan was necessary to monitor ships calling at Australian ports. -- AP


http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sub/latest/story/0,5562,291333,00.html