US: JI a threat to entire region

Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), al-Qaeda’s arm in Southeast Asia, is aiming to establish a pan-Islamic state in several countries stretching all the way from Morocco to Mindanao, a special US envoy revealed yesterday.

US State Department coordinator for counterterrorism Henry Crumpton stressed the need for all countries to improve their defenses against terrorist attacks involving biological and chemical weapons, because terror groups have threatened to use them.

"We think the threat is very serious. Their skills in terms of bomb-making, their tradecraft skills — yes, they are a concern. I think that is why the Philippine government focused on this with our help, and I am confident that we will make progress," Crumpton told reporters in Manila on the last leg of a Southeast Asian tour to discuss regional efforts against terror.

He said one letter seized from an al-Qaeda leader stated their political aspiration in detail.

"This is not only about killing innocents. It is not only about disrupting local and state and national governments. It really is a challenge to the nation-state system," Crumpton explained.

"If you look at the enemy’s objectives, they are talking about a fundamental shift in how people or governments are organized. They are talking about doing away with the civil liberties and the human rights that we all cherish and work so hard for. So, yes, in a larger sense, Mindanao is part of the enemy’s objectives," he said.

Crumpton also encouraged the Philippine government to pass long-delayed counterterrorism legislation, saying "we need to give the police and judiciary the tools they need to engage the enemy."

"I am concerned about potential terrorist efforts to use chemical, biological weapons," Crumpton said.

"I have concerns not only about the Philippines, but about all countries’ preparations for chemical, biological attack," he said. "It’s extraordinarily difficult to detect in many respects, and our defenses need to be improved."

"The threat is very serious if you look at recent events, the intention of enemy forces, their collaborating with affiliates all around the region... their technical skills, especially in bomb-making, their tradecraft skills," Crumpton said.

He said al-Qaeda and its JI Southeast Asian affiliate have made their intentions to use biological and chemical weapons "abundantly clear" in their statements and training manuals.

He cited the discovery of alleged anthrax laboratories in Afghanistan in 2001-2002.

Crumpton likened the magnitude of the effect of such an attack to the dangers posed by bird flu, which has spread in Asia and parts of Europe, killing at least 60 people in four Southeast Asian countries.

"That’s a major challenge for us, and I think there are many similarities if there would be a biological weapons attack," he said. "I certainly think that we all need to be more aware of this, we all need to think about how we can defend ourselves, and also I think it underscores the importance of our collective efforts in intelligence and also in law enforcement."

Crumpton’s warning also came after the Philippine military said JI was still conducting training in Mindanao where various armed Muslim groups are already operating.

"There is an enormous challenge there, just in the geography. It’s not just Mindanao but extends to the Sulawesi Sea... over to Sabah, Malaysia," Crumpton said.

The JI has been blamed for a string of attacks in the region including the 2002 and 2005 bombings on the Indonesian resort island of Bali. It is considered the regional partner of the al-Qaeda Muslim extremist network.

He also said the United States was very supportive of Manila’s efforts to forge a peace accord with the main Muslim separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), despite frequent reports that MILF commanders were sheltering JI members in their camps in the south.

"I am encouraged and hopeful about the ongoing peace negotiations between the Philippines and the MILF," he said.

"We all need these negotiations to be concluded to bring the MILF into the fold," as this "would put enormous pressure" on the Jemaah Islamiyah and other terror groups who are hiding in the south, said Crumpton.

Crumpton has visited Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, and is headed back to Washington from Manila.

On Friday, he held talks with President Arroyo, a staunch supporter of the US-led global war on terror.

The US military has deployed troops to the Philippines to conduct joint exercises and train Filipino soldiers on counterterrorism warfare.

US military assistance has been credited for the capture and killing of leaders and members of the al-Qaeda-linked Muslim extremist Abu Sayyaf group.

"The success of the Philippines is also our success," he said. "There is still much to do and the challenges are great."

Both countries also need to do a "better job of working towards a regional approach to counterterrorism."

Malacañang has been pushing Congress to pass an anti-terrorism law but the political bickering between the administration and the opposition has slowed down work on a number of bills.

"We are determined to get it through. It’s our priority now since we have finished our economic reforms. We will do anything to have it passed. You can count on us in supporting all your initiatives," Mrs. Arroyo told US Embassy Charge d’ Affaires Paul Jones last Friday.

The Arroyo administration stepped up its anti-terrorism efforts after it was stung by recent criticism that it was the weakest link in the US-led global anti-terror campaign.

The threat of terrorism became an urgent concern early this month when three explosions killed 26 people — mostly foreign tourists — in Bali, Indonesia.

The Philippines is currently negotiating a defense accord with Australia that would allow Australian troops to train Philippine soldiers in counter-terrorism.

Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz said the Philippines plans to open its doors to its neighbors’ military forces as well as allowing them to train with Philippine troops. — With AFP, AP