In Australia, several hundred troops are engaged in a massive security operation for Commonwealth leaders from the Asian and Pacific region ho are in Sydney to attend a week long summit meeting.

The unprecedented security comes in the wake of a fatal bomb blast on Monday (13 February) outside the hotel where the Commonwealth leaders are staying.

The bomb blast, which killed two people and injured nine others, cast a pall over the conference when it opened later in the day.

SYNOPSIS: The atmosphere was sombre as the twelve Asian and Pacific leaders walked slowly to their places beneath a huge conference banner and the massed flags of their countries.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, looking taut and grim, pledged full government resources to track down the terrorists.

The conference finally got underway after being formally opened by the Australian Governor General.

The summit, which is the biggest political gathering in Australia, will last four days.

The leaders, who represent 27 per cent of the world's population will discuss world and regional political trends, international economic issues, cooperation in trade development, energy, and the special problems of smaller states.

The Indian Prime Minister, Moraji Desai underlined one of the main dilemas facing many Commonwealth countries today.

At the same time there is no turning our backs on scientific advance and technology.

What we need, is an infusion of humanism and an awareness of the public good into the scientific (temper)."
Although Australian officials expressed the hope that the conference would provide a better forum for better understanding between the Asian and Pacific countries, Prime Minister Fraser said it would be wrong to expect any spectacular solutions to the problems confronting the twelve nations.