Sultanate 10th Country To Ink Anti-Terror Deal
By CT Hi Mahmod

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei is the 10th country in the region to have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on counter-terrorism with Australia.

Other Asean countries that have signed similar pacts are Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.

These arrangements have led to enhanced bilateral cooperation, such as the joint investigation into the bombings in Indonesia, and complement regional counter-terrorism activities, including through the Asean Regional Forum and APEC, said a statement yesterday issued by Australia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Therefore, such pacts will help protect Australians and Australia's interest at home and aboard which remains as one of the Australian government's highest priority, the statement added.

Australia has significantly stepped up counter-terror moves since the Sept 11 bombing in the United States followed by the Bali bombings in Indonesia in Oct 2002, which killed over 202 people including 88 Australians.

Meanwhile, Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said, after signing the MoU with Brunei's Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Dato Abdul Rahman Taib that this threat cannot be fought alone by countries as strong and effective cooperation across the region is essential.

Downer said the bombings in Indonesia and other attacks in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Spain have driven home the serious nature of the terrorism threat.

The pact agreed between Brunei and Australia yesterday will see officials from both countries cooperate on security, finance, law enforcement, and defence issues as well as customs, immigration, and transport matters.

"Our respective agencies will build on their existing operational-level links to counter the financing of terrorism, combat identity fraud and tighter border controls.

Exchanges of information and intelligence, joint training activities and capacity-building initiatives will enhance the security of both countries, the statement further added. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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