Food chain seen as new terror target

HANOI – Nations must respond to new and emerging forms of terror attacks such as mass food poisoning, according to a report drawn up for Asia-Pacific leaders meeting at a weekend summit in Vietnam.

The report, a copy of which was obtained yesterday by AFP, said terrorism remained a major and “constantly evolving” threat in a region which has already seen attacks that have killed hundreds of people, notably in Bali and Mumbai. “While we have thwarted many terrorist attacks against our economies, we have not been able to stop them all,” the report by the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum’s counter-terrorism task force said.”Terrorism will remain a threat to the stability and growth of our region and it is a threat we must continue to face together.”The document is to be issued during APEC’s annual summit in Hanoi to be attended by US President George W Bush and the leaders of China, Russia and 18 other economies.The task force warned: “The terrorist threat is constantly evolving, and we must work together to be flexible in our responses and to prepare our economies for these new security concerns.”One concern raised by the US is the risk of militants poisoning or contaminating the food supply chain, said the report prepared by the task force, which is headed by former Philippines military chief Benjamin Defensor.It urged APEC leaders to take concerted action “to mitigate the threat of deliberate contamination of our food supply.”Delegates preparing for the two-day summit, which starts on Saturday, said the leaders were expected to touch on the issue.”If terrorists attack the food chain or poison a water reservoir, this will precipitate panic.You need to put up a mechanism to counter this,” a source involved in the report’s preparation told AFP.He said a US-proposed “food security initiative” would involve cooperation among players in the supply chain such as manufacturers and transporters.APEC comprises Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the US and Vietnam.Nampa-AFP”While we have thwarted many terrorist attacks against our economies, we have not been able to stop them all,” the report by the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum’s counter-terrorism task force said.”Terrorism will remain a threat to the stability and growth of our region and it is a threat we must continue to face together.”The document is to be issued during APEC’s annual summit in Hanoi to be attended by US President George W Bush and the leaders of China, Russia and 18 other economies.The task force warned: “The terrorist threat is constantly evolving, and we must work together to be flexible in our responses and to prepare our economies for these new security concerns.”One concern raised by the US is the risk of militants poisoning or contaminating the food supply chain, said the report prepared by the task force, which is headed by former Philippines military chief Benjamin Defensor.It urged APEC leaders to take concerted action “to mitigate the threat of deliberate contamination of our food supply.”Delegates preparing for the two-day summit, which starts on Saturday, said the leaders were expected to touch on the issue.”If terrorists attack the food chain or poison a water reservoir, this will precipitate panic.You need to put up a mechanism to counter this,” a source involved in the report’s preparation told AFP.He said a US-proposed “food security initiative” would involve cooperation among players in the supply chain such as manufacturers and transporters.APEC comprises Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the US and Vietnam.Nampa-AFP