Clark to make plea to religious leaders

MANILA - Prime Minister Helen Clark will call on religious leaders to revoke extremism and violence when she addresses an interfaith peace forum in the Philippines today.

Helen Clark, who arrived last night after a visit to Chile, will give an opening address to the 14-nation Asia-Pacific Interfaith Dialogue, before holding extended talks with Philippines president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo later in the day.

In her speech, the Prime Minister is expected to stress the need for greater co-operation between different Muslim countries and the West in the post-September 11 world and the need to avoid actions that could raise tension and undermine regional security.

She is also expected to highlight to Muslim leaders that she did not support the publication of controversial cartoons of the prophet Muhammad -- one of which featured him with a bomb in his turban.

The cartoons caused widespread outrage in Muslim communities around the world, and their publication in New Zealand sparked fears of a trade backlash.

President Macapagal-Arroyo will also address the interfaith forum, which is being held in the city of Cebu.

Later in the day the two leaders will hold talks in the nearby town of Bohol.

Trade, counter-terrorism and development will top the agenda, with Helen Clark also expected to highlight New Zealand's credentials as an international study destination in a bid to capture more of the large Filipino international student market.

She has also said she will raise New Zealand's desire for closer ties with Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) countries, as well as those in the wider Asia region.

The Philippines takes over the chair of the 10-member Asean later this year.

New Zealand is currently attempting to negotiate closer ties with the trade bloc, which is also leading discussions on the formation of a wider "East Asia" trading bloc -- possibly incorporating New Zealand, Australia, China and Japan, alongside Asean countries.

Helen Clark's trip has already boosted New Zealand's profile in the Philippines with a front page picture and story featuring in local broadsheet The Manila Bulletin, ahead of her arrival.

The Prime Minister, who arrived late due to an aircraft fault, was welcomed by Philippines vice president Noli de Castro, before being given an honour guard into the terminal where she was greeted by the ambassadors of 18 countries and several local dignitaries.

Media interest was high, with about 10 photographers and cameramen present.

* Auckland University law professor Jane Kelsey, who has written two letters to Helen Clark asking her to convey New Zealand's condemnation of a state of emergency declared in the Philippines last month and alleged human rights abuses, is disappointed at the response she has received.

She said she has received only a couple of curt sentences, which did not even engage with the questions. Professor Kelsey said Helen Clark had previously been a champion of human rights in the Philippines.

- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB