Bangkok--Jan 31--eTurbo news
Phuket, Thailand (eTurboNews) -- In a meeting for affected tsunami-countries, India and Indonesia rejected a proposal by Thailand to establish an Indian Ocean tsunami warning system in Bangkok.
Hosted by Thailand and attended by over 50 countries and organizations, delegates during the two-day event discussed where to base center for collecting seismic and oceanographical data from nations on the ocean rim and issuing alerts to vulnerable areas.
While the delegates did not reach a consensus on the site of the tsunami warning system, "We agree that the role of the United Nations is the most important in ensuring that all aspects in building an early warning system are coordinated effectively and timely," Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai was quoted as saying.
"We agree to advance the establishment of such an arrangement through organization of expert meetings and needs assessments, to be undertaken with the support of relevant regional and international institutions and governments."
The representatives agreed to set-up smaller regional facilities, in response to last month's tragedy.
They were in agreement that work should start immediately on strengthening existing national and specialized institutions.
National egos appear to have gotten in the way of international cooperation, spectators said.
Scheduled to commence in Phuket today is a World Tourism Organization-initiated forum on crisis management forum. Among the attendees are representatives from major tourism organizations such as the International Council of Tourism Partners and Pacific Asia Travel Association.
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