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                Australia, Thailand Step Up Security Cooperation

   by VOA News

   Australia and Thailand are strengthening anti-terror cooperation amid
   fears of more attacks in the region by groups associated with Islamic
   State supporters. The agreement came during an official visit by the
   Australian Justice Minister and amid concerns over regional security
   capabilities and coordination.

   The move by Australia and Thailand to step up security cooperation
   comes during what Australia's Justice Minister, Michael Keenan, calls a
   deteriorating security situation.

   ''During a visit to Bangkok for talks with Thai government ministers,
   Keenan said the increased cooperation is a result of the deadly January
   14 attacks in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta.

   "We know we've got a big regional challenge," he said. "This is a
   menace that is stalking Indonesia, it's certainly stalking Australia, -
   it's troubling the Philippines and no country in the region is immune
   from that. This is a challenge we all share together and that's why
   cooperation is vitally important."

   Islamic State
   Keenan says the increased security cooperation will remain in place as
   long as Islamic State exists and looks to "export terror across the
   region, including Australia."

   Australia has already spend more than $700 million to improve security
   in the country.

   Panitan Wattanayagorn, an advisor to the Thailand's Deputy Prime
   Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, says a regional security cooperation
   structure came into place after the 2002 bombings on the Indonesian
   resort island of Bali that claimed 200 lives.

   ''But Panitan says shortcomings leave several countries vulnerable to
   attacks.

   "What is still problematic is the capability, the implementation, the
   enforcement actually, in many areas," said Panitan. "You see clear
   commitment but lack of capability, lack of coordination, lack of
   capacity, in many areas and these may create risks or pose risks to an
   extremist attack in certain countries so that's the concern."

   Analysts fear a potential escalation in attacks by militants in the
   year ahead.

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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/australia-thailand-step-up-security-c
   ooperation/3159803.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/australia-thailand-step-up-security-cooperation/3159803.html