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Brunei And Australia Sign Pact To Fight Terror Together
By CT Hj Mahmod

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei and Australia's Prime Minister John Howard yesterday agreed on a bilateral counter-terrorism pact for close cooperation on security, finance, law enforcement and defence issues.

Both leaders applauded the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism, as it was in recognition of mutual efforts from both states to strengthen and expand it.

The pact, AP newswire reported, commits the countries' respective agencies to counter the financing of terrorism, combat identity fraud, exchange information and intelligence on suspected terrorists, tighten border controls as well as hold joint training exercises.

The counter-terrorism pact, inked at Canberra's Parliament House, topped the agenda of His Majesty's six -day working visit to Australia aimed at enhancing bilateral ties between the two friendly nations.

In a joint statement issued following the leaders' meeting, both leaders emphasised the very warm and long standing people to people links, and discussed a broad range of bilateral and regional issues, canvassing the political, economic and security agenda.

His Majesty and Mr Howard acknowledged the strong and enduring cooperation between Brunei and Australia on defence, security and law enforcement matters.

During their discussion, both leaders took note of the close defence links between the two countries that include regular exercises.

Brunei's first Defence White Paper was mentioned and both agreed to examine ways on how both states could work more effectively to support its implementation.

This could involve the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) to visit his Australian counterpart, General Cosgrove, to explore specific avenues for cooperation.

On future economic cooperation, His Majesty and Mr Howard agreed that officials should discuss ways on how both countries could develop a niche, high quality halal export industry, as this would combine Australia's reputation as a producer of fresh, high quality food products with Brunei's stringent halal certification standard.

Among Australian interests in Brunei, resources giant BHP Billiton Ltd, is involved in offshore oil and gas exploration and fertiliser producer, Incitec Pivot, is involved in a consortium seeking to build a US$620 million ammonia/urea plant.

The total trade volume between both countries recorded in 2003 was $700 million.

Leaders noted that in 2004 Australia was the largest export destination of Brunei's crude petroleum exports, which at 20 per cent of Brunei's output represented some eight per cent of Australia's crude import requirements.

Prime Minister John Howard yesterday thanked His Majesty for Brunei's active role in securing a decision to negotiate an Asean, Australia and New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.

His Majesty arrived yesterday at Canberra's Fairbairn Airbase and was greeted by Michael Jeffery, Governor-General; Peter Cosgrove,Defence Force Chief; and, John Anderson, Deputy Prime Minister.

The monarch visited the Australian War Memorial yesterday. He is due to visit Sydney and Perth.

Earlier, His Majesty in outlining the relationship between Brunei and Australia, expressed appreciation for the long standing friendship and the important role Australians have played in Brunei's development.

The Sultan also acknowledged Australia's contribution in various areas of cooperation.

His Majesty said this in reply to Prime Minister Howard's speech during the luncheon hosted by the premier yesterday, RTB reported.

Mr Howard spoke on the fight against terrorism and said, "It's a very important goal of this government (Australia) that one of the ways of fighting the scourge against terrorism, not only in our part of the world but around the world, is to develop a greater understanding between the great religions and to understand the rich history and contribution of Islam to the nations that adhere to it." -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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