APEC Muslim Member States Block US Efforts to Make Group's Final Statement Directly Refer To its War in Afganistan

03/05/2001| IslamWeb

SHANGHAI, China (Islamweb & News Agencies) -- Leaders from across the Pacific Rim meeting at the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shanghai have signed what they say is a "visionary" statement against terrorism. However their final statement has failed to contain direct reference to the US war in Afghanistan.
The Bush administration had hoped for the statement to refer directly to the U.S. war in Afghanistan. But, with three Muslim members at APEC, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, that proved impossible to get.
Malaysia and Indonesia have condemned the U.S. response and the loss of civilian lives in Afghanistan.
There are other kinks. Countries like China and Russia are also fighting what they view as terrorists within their own borders, Muslim separatist movements in Xinjiang province and Chechnya, respectively.
With a fine line between a freedom fighter and a terrorist, there was also no clear definition on what exactly constitutes terrorism. That means the declaration is open to interpretation by the 21 members.
The definition of terrorism calls to mind U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart's definition of obscenity. A leader might admit he or she doesn't know how to define what terrorism is. "I know it when I see it."
But on Sunday, the leaders said they would stand side by side to fight an often shadowy enemy.
ODD BEDFELLOWS:
The fight has thrown together odd bedfellows. Former foes such as the United States, Russia, Vietnam and China now find themselves together in an alliance. Japan and South Korea, often staunch rivals, inked together. (Read photo caption below)
"Leaders deem it imperative to strengthen international cooperation at all levels in combating terrorism in a comprehensive manner,' they said.
Only 20 leaders signed the terror declaration -- Taiwan boycotted the final days of the event after tensions with China over its choice of envoy.
The leaders hope that black eye will heal and that the muscle of the antiterrorism statement will be the lasting legacy of this week's gathering.
APEC's annual meeting started Monday, building to this moment with progressively more important meetings.
The leaders now head to their respective homes with Bush scheduled to leave Shanghai Sunday night.
Before then, he will have a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a working dinner. That is expected to lead toward a summit between the two at Bush's Texas ranch in November.

PHOTO CAPTION:
Bush has been pushing APEC leaders to unite behind the anti-terrorism coalition