SHANGHAI (Islamweb & News Agencies) - In an apparent nod to China, a revised draft of an anti-terrorism statement to be issued by leaders at their Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit drops an earlier specific reference to fighting money-laundering.China's APEC spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue told a news conference on Wednesday that members meeting in Shanghai had reached a consensus on the statement but details still had to be discussed by APEC leaders. (Read photo caption below)
The statement would be the first major political declaration in the history of APEC, which focuses on economic matters representing almost half the world's trade and 60 percent of global output.
``Leaders unequivocally condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11,'' said the draft, circulated by China as hosts and obtained by Reuters.
``Terrorism is also a direct challenge to APEC's vision of free, open and prosperous economies, and to the fundamental values that APEC members hold,'' it said.
The draft -- which does not mention the U.S.-led strikes on Afghanistan or Osama bin Laden pledges to ''limit the economic fallout from the attacks and move to restore economic confidence.''
PHOTO CAPTION:
An assistant helps Chinese Trade Minister Shi Guangsheng (L) with his computer during the Ministerial Meeting at the International Convention Center in Shanghai, 17 October 2001. Asia-Pacific governments opened a two-day ministerial meeting to put the finishing touches to an anti-terrorism declaration to be issued by leaders attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). REUTERS/Pool/Sam Yeh