South Asia Summit To Discuss Curbing Terrorism: Official

TERRORWARS

A Bangladeshi security officer checks a rickshaw passenger's bag as a child looks on in Dhaka, 06 November, 2005. Police in Bangladesh have launched a security crackdown as the country prepares for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit to take place 12-13 November. SAARC was founded in 1985 to forge economic solidarity and improve living standards among the region's 1.4 billion people. AFP photo by Sobbir Mia.

Dhaka (AFP) Nov 06, 2005
Regional anti-terrorism strategies, poverty alleviation and economic cooperation will be on the agenda at this week's summit of South Asian nations in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka, a senior official said Sunday.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit, which begins on November 12, will be attended by the leaders of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

"This is going to be focused regional orientation on economic cooperation, poverty alleviation and cooperation on curbing terrorism," the official BSS news agency quoted foreign affairs adviser Reaz Rahman as saying.

Rahman said four regional agreements would also be signed on economic topics including investment protection and avoidance of double taxation.

All six visisting heads of state would arrive on Friday for the two-day summit, he added.

SAARC was founded in 1985 to forge economic solidarity and boost living standards among the region's 1.4 billion people

The summit was meant to take place from January 9-11 but it was cancelled after last December's tsunami disaster that battered Asian nations.

Rescheduled for February 6-7, it was postponed again at the last minute after India pulled out citing security concerns in the region.

Bangladesh has said it will deploy 20,000 troops to ensure security.

The heavy security follows two series of small bomb blasts on August 17 and October 3 linked to a group demanding the implementation of Islamic law in Bangladesh, the world's third largest Muslim-majority country.

Four people were killed and dozens injured in the explosions.

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TERRORWARS

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Brussels (UPI) Nov 03, 2005
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