Military

DATE=10/21/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-282073

TITLE=APEC SUMMIT (L Update)

BYLINE=JIM RANDLE

DATELINE=SHANGHAI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: ADDS JIANG FINAL STATEMENT, END OF CONFERENCE ///

INTRO: Pacific rim leaders meeting in Shanghai say they will act together

against all forms of terrorism anywhere in the world. The vow of greater

cooperation came in a joint declaration issued at the end of the Asia Pacific

Economic Cooperation summit. V-O-A's Jim Randle reports, leaders of the

21-member group also reaffirmed a commitment to free trade and investment as a way to boost the world out of its current economic slump.

TEXT: Terrorist attacks on the United States dominated the discussions here,

as leaders sought ways to prevent new incidents and cope with the human,

political, and economic impact of the September assaults on New York and Washington.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin, host of the APEC meeting, spoke for all the

leaders.

/// JIANG ACT IN ENGLISH ///

We condemn, in the strongest terms, the attack as an affront to peace,

prosperity, and the security of all people, of all faiths, of every nation.

We vowed to strengthen our cooperation at the United Nations, and other

organizations like APEC to mitigate the impact our economies. And to prevent

and stop future terrorist acts in any form, anywhere in the world.

/// END ACT ///

However, the declaration does not specifically support the ongoing U-S military

strikes against terrorist targets in Afghanistan.

President Jiang and leaders from APEC nations that are predominately Muslim have urged the United States to avoid hurting civilians in the retaliatory attacks aimed at Osama bin Laden's terrorist organization, which is blamed for the deadly attacks against the United States.

APEC has never before taken a strong stand on a political issue like terrorism, because the organization operates by consensus and focuses on economic matters.

But President Jiang says the stand against terrorism is appropriate, even for

a economic organization like APEC, because the September 11th attacks made an already "grave economic situation, worse."

The leaders' said APEC's long sought goals of freer international trade and

investment are the antidote for economic problems in the Asia Pacific region.

/// JIANG ACT IN ENGLISH ///

We reaffirm our unyielding commitment to free and open trade and investment, both within our region and globally. And have resolved to work together to fight against protectionism in all forms.

/// END ACT ///

President Jiang also said care needs to be taken to see that the benefits of

growing trade are shared with a larger number of people.

Among APEC's 21 member economies, Singapore is suffering its worst economic troubles in decades, while the once-strong economies in Hong Kong and Japan are on the brink of recession.

APEC leaders called for the World Trade Organization to launch a new

round of trade talks in November. (Signed)

NEB/JR/KBK