Winds of confusion swirl at cancelled Asean talks

An incoming tropical storm may have been cited as the only reason for the unprecedented cancellation of the annual regional leaders' summit, but it was terrorism, not typhoons, that was on everybody's lips.

Hours before the announcement, the gap between international fears of an imminent terrorist attack and local organisers' comments had been widening. Local officials clung to claims that no specific threats had been received.

Organisers had tried to put a brave face on proceedings through the day, pushing ahead with long-planned ceremonies. Provincial Catholic Church leaders were on hand to hold Mass to bless the event. Songs from a local choir echoed in the corridors of the Cebu International Convention Centre as organisers hailed the last-ditch effort to get the building open on time. A group of senior former leaders led by the Philippines' Fidel Ramos played a round of golf in classic Asean tradition.

Internationally, however, it was a different tune. The US, Britain, Australia, Japan and New Zealand issued public travel warnings overnight - leaders from the last three states being due to arrive in Cebu at the weekend. British officials had been due to attend as observers but scrapped their plans.

Diplomats from other Asian nations privately backed the concern, describing as 'credible' the information that had been received by western intelligence agencies pointing to a plot poised to move into the final stages of planning. No information had surfaced about precisely which groups were responsible, however.

First news of the postponement broke from Japanese officials, about an hour before it was formally confirmed.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Manila last night, vowing to push ahead with a state visit to the capital. But he will not be going to Cebu. Other envoys' missions appeared in disarray, with confusion about programmes and schedules.