Al-Qa'ida 'growing in Southeast Asia'

the australian ^ | November 21, 2005 | Natalie O'Brien

[ncountylee]

AUSTRALIAN Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty has warned that al-Qa'ida is infiltrating Southeast Asia, as a meeting of regional police chiefs agreed to combine forces to step up the fight against terrorism.

Speaking at the ASEAN police summit on counter-terrorism, Mr Keelty said al-Qa'ida was continuing to win support by "preying on popular frustrations and grievances".

"We are still witnessing the development of various groups, including Jemaah Islamiah and al-Qa'ida, all of which are directing resources and energies in training, mobilisation, recruitment and radicalisation," he told the meeting.

"These are phases we must target by means of transport. Well-known travel routes and funding sources need to be constantly monitored."

Arturo Lomibao, of the Philippine National Police, also told the summit that co-operation would help uncover new routes being used by terrorists slipping across borders.

The comments came as the ASEAN police forces issued a communique agreeing to work together in sharing intelligence about terrorists.

Although Australia is not a member of the 12-nation ASEAN group, the AFP has been invited to join the regional taskforce that would help track the cross-border movements of terrorists such as Southeast Asia's most-wanted man, JI leader Noordin Mohammed Top.

[TheLion]

"Speaking at the ASEAN police summit on counter-terrorism, Mr Keelty said al-Qa'ida was continuing to win support by "preying on popular frustrations and grievances"."

And who creates these grievances?....I'm sure most around here know!

[webheart]

Southeast Asia is a lot more comfortable these days, compared to Iraq and now Jordan, if you are an al-Quiada terrorist.