Bush Praises Malaysia In Fight Against Terrorism
From Jackson Sawatan
SYDNEY, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- United States President George Bush has hailed counter-terrorism efforts by nations in the Asia-Pacific, saying that they have made a difference in the fight against terrorism.
Nations in the region, he said, were increasing regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
"Malaysia and the United States have established a regional counter-terrorism training centre in Kuala Lumpur. There are law enforcement training centres in Jakarta and Bangkok that are improving the capabilities of security forces from across this region," he told the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Business Summit at the Sydney Opera House, here.
The Asia-Pacific nations are also working to defeat what he called "terrorists' hateful ideology".
"In Malaysia, Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad) Badawi is working to promote what he calls Islam Hadhari or Civilisational Islam. He has called on his fellow Malaysians to show by example that a Muslim country can be modern, democratic and tolerant, and economically competitive.
"In Lebanon, forces from Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and China are serving as part of the United Nations force that's helping to bring stability to a free nation that is threatened by radical regimes and terrorist violence," said the US President.
Bush described Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and the Abu Sayyaf group as the two most dangerous terrorist networks in the region which should be defeated with a clear strategy.
He said that "we must do everything we can" to bring terrorists to justice.
He praised the efforts by nations in the region including the capture of top JI operative Hambali in 2003 as well as the other leaders of the group. In the Philippines, the operation against Abu Sayyaf had also led to the killing of the group's top leader.
"Pressure keeps the terrorists on the run, and when on the run, we're safer. We must be determined, we must be focused, and we must not let up."
Bush also mentioned efforts by nations in the region in providing economic assistance to struggling communities where terrorists operate.
"The reason we do this is we want to strengthen moderate leaders and give citizens in these communities alternatives to the path of radicalism and violence.
"For example, in Indonesia the government is working with the United States to implement a US$157 million initiative to improve basic education in 1,500 public and private schools," he said.
But in the long-term, said Bush, the best way to bring peace was to defeat terrorists in the battle of ideas.
"Our enemies are followers of a violent and narrow ideology. They have a vision which is narrow because it despises freedom, rejects tolerance and crushes all dissent. And they have goals. They want to impose this ideology as far and wide as possible," he added.
From Jackson Sawatan
SYDNEY, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- United States President George Bush has hailed counter-terrorism efforts by nations in the Asia-Pacific, saying that they have made a difference in the fight against terrorism.
Nations in the region, he said, were increasing regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
"Malaysia and the United States have established a regional counter-terrorism training centre in Kuala Lumpur. There are law enforcement training centres in Jakarta and Bangkok that are improving the capabilities of security forces from across this region," he told the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Business Summit at the Sydney Opera House, here.
The Asia-Pacific nations are also working to defeat what he called "terrorists' hateful ideology".
"In Malaysia, Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad) Badawi is working to promote what he calls Islam Hadhari or Civilisational Islam. He has called on his fellow Malaysians to show by example that a Muslim country can be modern, democratic and tolerant, and economically competitive.
"In Lebanon, forces from Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and China are serving as part of the United Nations force that's helping to bring stability to a free nation that is threatened by radical regimes and terrorist violence," said the US President.
Bush described Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and the Abu Sayyaf group as the two most dangerous terrorist networks in the region which should be defeated with a clear strategy.
He said that "we must do everything we can" to bring terrorists to justice.
He praised the efforts by nations in the region including the capture of top JI operative Hambali in 2003 as well as the other leaders of the group. In the Philippines, the operation against Abu Sayyaf had also led to the killing of the group's top leader.
"Pressure keeps the terrorists on the run, and when on the run, we're safer. We must be determined, we must be focused, and we must not let up."
Bush also mentioned efforts by nations in the region in providing economic assistance to struggling communities where terrorists operate.
"The reason we do this is we want to strengthen moderate leaders and give citizens in these communities alternatives to the path of radicalism and violence.
"For example, in Indonesia the government is working with the United States to implement a US$157 million initiative to improve basic education in 1,500 public and private schools," he said.
But in the long-term, said Bush, the best way to bring peace was to defeat terrorists in the battle of ideas.
"Our enemies are followers of a violent and narrow ideology. They have a vision which is narrow because it despises freedom, rejects tolerance and crushes all dissent. And they have goals. They want to impose this ideology as far and wide as possible," he added.
1 comment:
Good for people to know.
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