Phnom Penh, June 16: Cambodia's Prime Minister today urged Asian and western countries to "work seriously" to prevent terrorism in southeast Asia, a region many fear is becoming a breeding ground for Islamic militancy. "Concerns for world security ... require us to exert our best efforts to strengthen our solidarity," Hun Sen said in a speech to inaugurate a meeting this week of Asia-Pacific foreign ministers.
Ministers from the 10-member association of southeast Asian nations are meeting today and tomorrow for their annual retreat. They will join other Asian and western ministers Wednesday in the 23-member Asean regional forum meet, a security conclave.
Southeast Asian nations are urging Myanmar's military rulers to free Suu Kyi, but hope to do so as gently and quietly as possible to avoid public confrontations.
Asean has long followed a policy of not commenting on its members' internal affairs and the decision to discuss Suu Kyi reflects the growing international pressure on Myanmar's military regime to release the Nobel peace prize laureate.

Bureau Report