Sixteen Asian heads of state have confirmed their participation in next week's regional summit in the Philippines, and the host promised yesterday that no typhoon or terror threats will postpone the events for a second time.
The annual conference hosted by the 10-member ASEAN was originally scheduled for Dec. 11 to Dec. 13 in the central city of Cebu, but the Philippine government, citing an approaching typhoon, abruptly rescheduled even as foreign ministers started to arrive.
The decision to delay the summit meetings surprised many delegates.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen suggested the threat may have been twofold -- the typhoon and terrorism. Japanese Trade Minister Akira Amari called the typhoon explanation "extremely puzzling" and said the postponement had undermined the Philippines' credibility.
But the dust settled quickly and, despite initial uncertainty, the Philippines said all delegates have confirmed they will return to Cebu for summit meetings of the 10 ASEAN countries plus partners from Australia, China, Japan, India, South Korea and New Zealand.
The gatherings will take place from next Wednesday to Friday.
"Everything is set for the summit. All states have confirmed their participation," said Luis Cruz, assistant foreign secretary for ASEAN affairs.
"Everybody is saying that they are better prepared now in terms of security, traffic and other aspects of the preparation with the extra month," Victoriano Lecaros said, the summit spokesman.
"All systems are go," he said.
Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Bartolome Bacarro said there were no specific terror threats, unlike last month, when the US, Britain and Australia issued travel advisories warning that al-Qaeda-linked militants may be in the final stages of planning attacks in the Philippines.
Among key resolutions to be adopted is a legally binding Convention on Counterterrorism. Other main topics will focus on economic integration and efforts to draft an ASEAN charter, in addition to a series of bilateral issues, Lecaros said.
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