JAKARTA, March 11 (Bernama) -- Asean Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan has
expressed his "profound sadness" over Japan''s worst natural disaster of an
earthquake which triggered a tsunami today.
"I wish to express my sincere sympathy to the government and people of
Japan, one of our oldest, most generous dialogue partners and closest friends of
Asean since 1977. My colleagues and I share your sadness and concern," he said
in a statement.
Dr Surin said Japan had been quick to support Asean in managing its
challenges, natural disasters, pandemics and economic recovery since the Asian
financial crisis in 1997 as well as other non-traditional threats.
Asean member states, he said, were grateful and wanted to assist and
accommodate Japan as it embarked upon its own recovery and reconstruction after
this natural disaster affecting a major part of the country.
"In fact, several colleagues and I were scheduled to be in Japan this
weekend to partake in the JICA-Asean Connectivity Symposium and other
activities," he said.
-- MORE
ASEAN-JAPAN 2 (LAST) JAKARTA
The secretary-general also said he hoped that communities in high-risk areas
in the eastern part of Indonesia and the eastern seaboard of the Philippines
would exercise full precaution and seek guidance from local authorities on steps
to be taken, following the tsunami warning issued by the respective countries
with coastlines in and around the Pacific Ocean.
"This is a clear reminder that natural disasters can occur anywhere,
anytime. Asean will have to expedite its own mechanisms to be prepared for such
calamities.
"Our procedures and tools under the Asean Agreement on Disaster Management
and Emergency Response (AADMER), and the Asean Coordinating Centre for
Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre), must be in place and ready for these kinds
of eventualities," he added.
The Asean Secretariat, Dr Surin said, stood ready to coordinate any support,
assistance and cooperation as well as private sector contributions for the
victims of this "unfortunate situation."
-- BERNAMA
AFY AFY MGN
expressed his "profound sadness" over Japan''s worst natural disaster of an
earthquake which triggered a tsunami today.
"I wish to express my sincere sympathy to the government and people of
Japan, one of our oldest, most generous dialogue partners and closest friends of
Asean since 1977. My colleagues and I share your sadness and concern," he said
in a statement.
Dr Surin said Japan had been quick to support Asean in managing its
challenges, natural disasters, pandemics and economic recovery since the Asian
financial crisis in 1997 as well as other non-traditional threats.
Asean member states, he said, were grateful and wanted to assist and
accommodate Japan as it embarked upon its own recovery and reconstruction after
this natural disaster affecting a major part of the country.
"In fact, several colleagues and I were scheduled to be in Japan this
weekend to partake in the JICA-Asean Connectivity Symposium and other
activities," he said.
-- MORE
ASEAN-JAPAN 2 (LAST) JAKARTA
The secretary-general also said he hoped that communities in high-risk areas
in the eastern part of Indonesia and the eastern seaboard of the Philippines
would exercise full precaution and seek guidance from local authorities on steps
to be taken, following the tsunami warning issued by the respective countries
with coastlines in and around the Pacific Ocean.
"This is a clear reminder that natural disasters can occur anywhere,
anytime. Asean will have to expedite its own mechanisms to be prepared for such
calamities.
"Our procedures and tools under the Asean Agreement on Disaster Management
and Emergency Response (AADMER), and the Asean Coordinating Centre for
Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre), must be in place and ready for these kinds
of eventualities," he added.
The Asean Secretariat, Dr Surin said, stood ready to coordinate any support,
assistance and cooperation as well as private sector contributions for the
victims of this "unfortunate situation."
-- BERNAMA
AFY AFY MGN
