HAWAII. Oct 9: The need for greater cooperation and interaction for growth and stability in the Asia Pacific region was stressed by security analysts, academics and journalists attending a series of seminars on East Aslan Security being held in Washington and Hawaii.

The areas of cooperation include political, military and trade ties, among the 44 countries. that are locates on the rim of the Pacific Region.

Policy planners, military leaders and academics belonging to think tanks are exchanging views at the 3-part "Defence Writers Symposium on East

Asian Security". Sixteen journalists representing 16 countries of the Asia-Pacific region are participating in the symposium which Includes dialogues and discussions with leading US Congressmen, senators and armed forces personnel.

The participants felt that the 44 countries of the Asia-Pacific region are of enormous geographic and strategic importance for global stability.

The journalists from the Asian nations had meetings

with Strobe Talbott. US Deputy Secretary of State and Cari In-derfurth, Assistant Secretary for South Aslan Affairs. They also met Congressman Doug Bereuter. Chairman of the House Committee on Asia and the Pacific and Senator Ted Stevens. Chairman of the Subcommittee on Defence.

The US looks forward to working with other nations for stability in the Asia-Pacific region." Strobe Talbott said.

He and several other top US

official in the State Department and the Pentagon met the Journalists on background briefings on the role of US in the changes perspective of world politics.

The participants In the defence writers’ symposium also visited the US Pacific Command. Pearl Harbour and Headquarters of the US Pacific Army and Air Force command at Fort Schafter and Hickam Air Force Base In Hawaii. Later, they participated In a seminar organised by the Asia-Pacific centre for Strategic Studies.

The Journalists also presented their viewpoints about their respective countries' security perspect i ve.

Tne team is moving to South Korea tomorrow for a two-day visit to the demilitarised zone (DMZ)

The two-week symposium which began in Washington DC on September 29 ends in Seoul on October 12.

The 15 participants countries are: Australia. Bangladesh. China, India. Indonesia, Japan. Korea. Malaysia. New Zealand, Pakistan. The Philippines, Russia. Singapore. Srl Lanka. Thailand and the United States.