NZ may increase police presence in Asian terror hotspots

By RUTH BERRY

New Zealand may expand its police presence in Southeast Asia in the wake of the bombing attack in Jakarta.

Prime Minister Helen Clark revealed the Government was considering stationing more police liaison officers experienced in intelligence and counter-terrorism in the region, following the attack.

After the 2002 Bali bombing, the Government stationed a police liaison officer at the New Zealand Embassy in Jakarta. Police tasked with counter-terrorism work were also sent to Washington and New York after the Al Qaeda attacks there.

Police have talked with the Government, but said last night that no decisions on the number and location of the liaison officers were made.

Helen Clark raised the issue when questioned about Australian Prime Minister John Howard's $100 million plan to step up the fight against terrorism in the region.

He aims to set up six new police teams which could be sent to work in neighbouring countries. The teams would focus on counter-terrorism intelligence, high-tech surveillance and tracking financial dealings.

Mr Howard raised some eyebrows by restating he would launch a pre-emptive strike against terrorism if need be.

Helen Clark refused to comment on the pre-emptive strike stand.

She said Australians were closer to Southeast Asia, had more nationals at risk than New Zealand did and had been the object of a specific attack.

"The key thing for us is that we have adequate liaison arrangements in place with Southeast Asian police authorities and obviously with any other Western police presence in those capitals. We are looking at whether we should have similar liaison arrangements with other Southeast Asian countries."

Meanwhile, the Australian Labor Party intends strengthening transtasman military ties if it wins power on October 9.

Its plans for closer co-operation were outlined by Opposition Leader Mark Latham yesterday in a new defence policy that places priority on security in the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

Howard's plan

* Prime Minister John Howard has repeated his support of pre-emptive strikes in other countries against terrorist bases that threaten national security.

* Yesterday he announced six new anti-terrorism "flying squads" of investigators to help solve outrages throughout the region.

* He also announced a $53 million plan to create a national centre for critical care and trauma at Darwin, able to accept large numbers of casualties from terror attacks.

- additional reporting by Greg Ansley