December 4, 2002, The Philippine Star, Philippine foreign secretary rules out joint security operations with Australia,

December 4, 2002, The Philippine Star, Philippine foreign secretary rules out joint security operations with Australia,

Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople emphasized yesterday that the proposed anti-terrorism agreement between the Philippines and Australia would not allow joint military operations between the two countries. "This agreement can consider joint training but not joint operations of security personnel," Ople said. He stressed the Philippines is open to a bilateral agreement with Australia in fighting terrorism, but any deal should only be for joint training and not include security operations.

An Australian-prepared draft of the accord has been forwarded to Ople. The draft accord included provisions for exchange and assessment of intelligence and information, law enforcement, including the prevention and investigation of terrorist activities, money- laundering, smuggling and border control issues, illegal trafficking of weapons and explosives, and defence cooperation relating to international terrorism activities.

Ople said he and his counterpart, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, were considering an anti-terrorist memorandum but did not say when it might be signed...

On Australia's proposal to amend the United Nations (UN) charter, Ople said the plan would overturn the founding principle of the UN on equal sovereignty of nations.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard demanded Sunday changes in the UN charter to permit a country to conduct pre-emptive strikes against terrorists in other countries.

Ople warned Australia could be later accused of harbouring "hegemonic ambitions" if they insist on the idea of launching pre-emptive strikes on its neighbours to protect its interests. Ople described Howard's proposal to conduct pre-emptive strike as a "hasty, exuberant and almost bizarre" plan. "This is not helpful in terms of promoting understanding and cooperation in Asia-Pacific region," he said.

Ople said the Philippines will definitely object to Australia's proposal for UN charter amendment. "This proposal has no ghost of a chance to be supported in the UN General Assembly," he said.

About 20 members of the leftist Bagong Alyansang Makabayan [New Nationalist Alliance], chanting "Howard stay out, Australian troops not allowed," picketed the Australian embassy in Makati City yesterday denouncing the proposal. "Mr Howard does not have the right to threaten sovereign countries like the Philippines with a pre-emptive first strike," said the group's spokesman Renato Reyes Jr

Ople asked Canberra to "stop exacerbating" tensions arising from Australia's decision to close its embassy last week by avoiding "more provocative statements at the highest levels".