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SYDNEY, Australia -- Asian countries have reacted with outrage to calls from Australia's prime minister for pre-emptive action against terrorists operating in Southeast Asia.
Howard said on Australian television Sunday that the U.N. Charter should be changed so it could be used against any threat, conventional or terrorist.
Indonesia is warning against Prime Minister John Howard following through on his call, saying that Australia has no right to take military action in other countries.
"Fortunately, states cannot willy-nilly flout international law and norms. We have to work within the system," Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Marti Natalegawa told The Associated Press.
Indonesian was not alone in criticizing Howard's remarks.
"Nobody does anything like this," Thailand's government spokesman Ratthakit Manathat said. "Each country has its own sovereignty, that must be protected."
Operations on Thai soil, he said, would require "highly cautious consideration."
Philippine National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said governments must work together rather than one country acting unilaterally.
"It's not wise and it doesn't follow ... the doctrine of peacekeeping and sovereignty," he said. "Sovereignty is not decided by fight, it's decided by right."
Australia's military is one of the most powerful in the region.
Howard's comments follow October's bombing in the Indonesian resort of Bali in which almost half of the 200 victims were Australian.
The radical Indonesian group Jemaah Islamiyah has been blamed for the attack.
Natalegawa said Jakarta understood Australia's "horrific experience" but said that "in the fight against terror, no country can act above the law and norms. The change has to be decided by the 190-odd members of the U.N. and this is not easy," The Associated Press reports.
"Howard should learn to control himself," Indonesian legislator Alvin Lee told The AP. "Indonesia and Australia are both victims. I strongly support increased cooperation among neighboring countries to fight terrorism but not attacks."
A spokesman for a left-wing group in the Philippines, Bayan, said his members would now protest against Australia, instead of the United States, and described Howard as a "bully."
"(President Gloria Macapagal-)Arroyo would be a laughing stock if she would allow this threatening statement to pass," he said.
Howard's office said his remarks were hypothetical.
Howard said on Australian television Sunday that the U.N. Charter should be changed so it could be used against any threat, conventional or terrorist.
Indonesia is warning against Prime Minister John Howard following through on his call, saying that Australia has no right to take military action in other countries.
"Fortunately, states cannot willy-nilly flout international law and norms. We have to work within the system," Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Marti Natalegawa told The Associated Press.
Indonesian was not alone in criticizing Howard's remarks.
"Nobody does anything like this," Thailand's government spokesman Ratthakit Manathat said. "Each country has its own sovereignty, that must be protected."
Operations on Thai soil, he said, would require "highly cautious consideration."
Philippine National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said governments must work together rather than one country acting unilaterally.
"It's not wise and it doesn't follow ... the doctrine of peacekeeping and sovereignty," he said. "Sovereignty is not decided by fight, it's decided by right."
Australia's military is one of the most powerful in the region.
Howard's comments follow October's bombing in the Indonesian resort of Bali in which almost half of the 200 victims were Australian.
The radical Indonesian group Jemaah Islamiyah has been blamed for the attack.
Natalegawa said Jakarta understood Australia's "horrific experience" but said that "in the fight against terror, no country can act above the law and norms. The change has to be decided by the 190-odd members of the U.N. and this is not easy," The Associated Press reports.
"Howard should learn to control himself," Indonesian legislator Alvin Lee told The AP. "Indonesia and Australia are both victims. I strongly support increased cooperation among neighboring countries to fight terrorism but not attacks."
A spokesman for a left-wing group in the Philippines, Bayan, said his members would now protest against Australia, instead of the United States, and described Howard as a "bully."
"(President Gloria Macapagal-)Arroyo would be a laughing stock if she would allow this threatening statement to pass," he said.
Howard's office said his remarks were hypothetical.
A spokesman for a left-wing group in the Philippines, Bayan, said his members would now protest against Australia, instead of the United States, and described Howard as a "bully."
It was almost funny how Indonesia talked about working within the system for peace.
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