Newscast: The World Tonight - Broadcast date: 11/11/96
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Copyright © 1996, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Subject: MALAYSIAN EXPERIENCE: YOUTH DISRUPT APCET
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/11/96 Filipino delegates to the Asia Pacific Conference on East Timor held in Malaysia arrived today. They're accusing the Malaysian government of using thugs to break up the forum.The Filipino delegates say about 400 youths broke down the door of the conference room at the Kuala Lumpur Hotel. They ripped banners, shouted and pushed conference participants and overturned furniture. The mob was from the youth wing of the ruling United Malays National Organization. But the Malaysian government denies it had anything to do with the near-riot. delegates found that too hard to believe. Some of the delegates who tried to reason with the mob were beaten up others got all sorts of invectives. Earl Pareno, a journalist who covered the event say the police took forever to respond. And when they arrived they arrested the delegates instead of the gate crashers. They were detained for 2 days before being deported.
The ugly incident sparked observations Malaysia will not tolerate criticisms against its neighbors, even at the cost of embarrassing itself. But the delegates say they will not stop from speaking out for the people of East Timor.
Subject: WHAT WILL THE APEC DELEGATES WEAR?
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/11/96 When Indonesia hosted APEC two years ago President Suharto had all heads of state wearing "batik." Now that the Philippines is hosting this year's summit, guess what the APEC leaders will wear?If Indonesia has batik, the Philippines is proud of the barong, On the leaders summit in Subic on the 23rd, each head of state will be wearing a barong, a gift from President Ramos. The makers -- Jeanne Goulbourn and her Korean partner, Eun Il Lee, who designs the fabric.
The barongs are made of Philippine silk. and unlike the jusi It's crease-free and washable. Two months ago, measurements were sent by each leader and recently, a cheesecloth sample was sent back for an accurate fit.
The choice of Jeanne and Neil seems more than apt their partnership is proof of the possibilities that APEC could bring.
Subject: SILENCE OF THE LAMB
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/11/96 Malaysia may be the one that broke up the conference on East Timor. But the issue is not sparing President Ramos. Critics want him to protest the deportation of the eleven Filipinos who showed up at the East Timor conference. But that is very unlikely.Malacañang's inaction on the plight of eleven Filipinos deported from Malaysia is drawing much criticism. But the Ramos administration is not backing a losing cause. Officials see no basis for a diplomatic protest. Legislators are divided on whether or not there is reason to protest the deportation. But Cayetano says Malaysia has no further explaining to do. In 2 weeks, the Philippines will also host an international event. Government has already gotten flak over its decision to bar some foreign nationals. But just like Malaysia, the Philippines does not want to embarass a colleague and a business partner in ASEAN.
Cayetano says ASEAN governments are not bound by any principle against criticizing each other's domestic policies. ASEAN is not a political group. The relationship hinges largely on economic concerns where the backlash can be more costly.
Subject: STOPPING THE DEMOLITION MEN
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/11/96 Government has suspended the demolition of squatter shanties. The demolitions may get rid of eyesores but it could also result in bigger problems that government wants to avoid during the APEC summit.These families are tired of running and transferring from one place to another. Now their shanties are demolished, they are driven away from the land they don't own. Squatter families have set up a tent city at the Manila Cathedral, for everyone to see, and hoping this eyesore would make government pay more attention to their problem. The evicted squatters want to be relocated to a place where there are jobs and schools. And they want a moratorium on further demolitions.
The Manila Cathedral offered space for only 50 families they cannot accommodate more than that. The Metro Manila development authority has suspended all demolitions until further notice. With the APEC summit less than 2 weeks away government wants to avoid any incident that might overshadow the main event.
Subject: CLEARING THE TRAFFIC JAMS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/11/96 For the regular motorist, the APEC summit will make their daily drive a new experience. But for APEC delegates their trips from their hotels to the PICC will be traffic and hassle free.That bit of sacrifice equates to 8 days, of at least 2 lanes less in designated APEC routes. Portians of major thoroughfares like EDSA, Ayala and Makati Avenues, the NAIA road, and Roxas Boulevard are designated as APEC friendship lanes. the MMDA says it has the situation all planned out.
If General Abadia had it his way these roads would be totally blocked off. But even if the Japanese did this in last years APEC summit, he says it's next to impossible with Filipinos
But apparently the people are. The APEC Seretariat argues the 8 day meeting is the time to put the country's best foot forward. But showing our best may also mean experiencing the worst.
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Subject: APEC TIDBITS
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 11/11/96 From November 16 up to the 30th the PNP will enforce a gun ban to prevent any untoward incident during the APEC summit. This is part of the security preparations for the summit. the PNP is still finalizing the guidelines for the gunban.
The senate will take advantage of the APEC holidays to finalize its report on the budget. Senate President Ernesto Maceda admits the 3-day holiday will affect their schedules. The senate will begin budget deliberations on the 27th and 28th. The senators will co-host the 17 APEC delegations, six of them are part of the Philippine delegation.