17 Oct 2002

Solomons MP calls for Forum to meet over terrorism threat

11:52 am on 17 October 2002

The Solomon Islands Opposition says the Pacific Islands Forum should call an urgent summit of Pacific leaders to discuss the threat of terrorism.

The Opposition spokesman on Foreign Affairs, Alfred Sasako, says the attack in Bali shows the Pacific can no longer be complacent about the threat.

Mr Sasako says he fears unless the problem is confronted, the region could become a safe haven for terrorists evading the US and other western countries, in the same way the Pacific has previously been a target for drug runners and money launderers.

He says the Forum is the logical body to initiate a united Pacific approach to combatting terrorism.

"Leaders could come together and look at how best they could co-operate and harmonize some of the intelligence sharing that I know existed but I think there is a need to have a complete review of whatever arrangements are in place at the moment"