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Terrorism has hijacked APEC, but Australia leads the battle
October 25 2002  John Howard will tell APEC today how to cut
corruption and improve economies to thwart terrorism, writes
Louise Dodson.  The APEC forum, this year being held in Mexico,
traditionally avoids reference to countries or governments.
Instead, the meetings use the word "economies" - briefing notes
and agendas refer to leaders of APEC "economies" meeting once a
year.  But ever since September 11, APEC's strongly economic
focus has shifted monumentally and has been overshadowed by its
security and political focus.  Some Australian officials worry
that this new direction could undermine pressure for APEC to
achieve its primary aim of achieving free trade by 2010 for
developed countries and 2020 for developing countries.  From its
inception in 1989 as very much a regional economic and technical
body, it has now become a power gathering dominated by
influential world leaders such as US