Phnom Penh, Nov 05: Leaders of Asean countries meeting here for their eighth summit have hit out at some foreign countries for telling their citizens to avoid southeast Asia without substantial evidence of possible attacks by terrorists. "We call on the international community to avoid indiscriminately advising their citizens to refrain from visiting or dealing with our countries in the absence of established evidence to substantiate rumours of possible terrorist attacks," they said in a joint statement issued yesterday. Such measures could only help achieve the objectives of the terrorists, the leaders said in their declaration on terrorism issued in conjunction with the two-day summit which is underway here.
They urged the international community to support Asean's efforts to combat terrorism and restore business confidence in the region.
In addition, the leaders expressed their determination to cooperate actively in mitigating the adverse impact of terrorist attacks on Asean countries.


Bureau Report