TOKYO, Dec 3 Kyodo chooseed edito...

TOKYO, Dec 3 Kyodo

chooseed editorial excerpts from the Asia-Pacific press:

HOWARD A BIT TOO QUICK upon THE TRIGGER (The Nation, Bangkok)

It assumes that every time Australian Prime Minister John Howard exhibits his mouth he creates a stir. His almost seven years at the head of the Australian regulation has been marked by controversies from one side of to the other almost every conceivable enslave -- from immigration, illegal refugee Aborigines to Australia's character as a ''deputy sheriff'' of the United States.

Howard has propos that the United Nations Security Council amend the UN charter to allow a nation to launch preemptive strikes against terrorists in other states.

His explanation has drawn flak from ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, which view Howard's opinion with contempt

For the time being, nevertheless it would be better for Australia to intensify its cooperation with those countries that still have public security problems

Canberra requires to be patient and must be willing to assist its neighbors in intelligence gathering and training to improve their surveillance and rejoinder to terrorism threats.

Australia has an important character to play in the peace and security of Asia, especially in Southeast Asia. by the agency of its own virtue, it has a special place in the region. It is imperative that Australia redefines its hold role independently.

Southeast Asian countries dread to view another deputy sheriff ride into town. Instead, they want an Australia with a mind of its acknowledge that reflects the interests of Asians. Anything besides might just deny Australia its destiny in this part of the world.

(Dec 3)

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