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HONG KONG, Monday (AFP)

At the end of a year marked by devastating conflicts and economic gloom, Asian nations Monday prepared to put their troubles behind them and greet 2002 with a defiant smile.

Despite months of warfare and unrest following the September 11 terror strikes on the US, and with financial markets sinking towards recession, revellers were expected to see in the New Year with a heady mix of optimism and carefree hedonism.

In Sydney, where raging bushfires cast pall of smoke over Christmas celebrations, the city's traditionally lavish end of year festivities were set to go ahead as authorities continued to fight the blazes which have destroyed dozens of homes.

Sydney Lord Mayor Frank Sartor confirmed a traditional fireworks extravaganza would go ahead despite some opposition, with the premier of New South Wales, Bob Carr, endorsing the celebrations.

"If it's appropriate for people, communities who've seen houses in their street burnt to the ground to have an act of celebration, optimism and defiance ... there's nothing inappropriate about this," he said.

In Afghanistan, where the campaign to oust the hardline Taliban militia recently climaxed with the installation of an interim government to oversee the country's return to peace and democracy, the arrival of 2002 was likely to be greeted with greater optimism than many previous new years.

However, with tensions simmering between nuclear neighbours India and Pakistan following an attack on the Indian parliament blamed by New Delhi on alleged Islamabad-sponsored militants, celebrations across South Asia were overshadowed.

"How can we celebrate?" said Pakistani Mohammed Anwar Khan, owner of a photographic shop in Islamabad's main shopping district.

"We cannot even celebrate our lunch nowadays. 2002 will not be a good year for Pakistan."

In Hong Kong, economic belt-tightening has seen till takings pale besides previous years.

But the region's troubles were likely to be forgotten for the night with more than 10,000 revellers expected to take to the streets, according to reports.

At the plush Grand Hyatt hotel overlooking Victoria Harbour, staff said New Year's Eve bookings had exceeded forecasts given the current economic and world climate, with reservations and tickets for special events being snapped up.

"We did not expect such a good response because 911 (the September 11 attacks) has had such a negative effect, but we have a good loyal group of customers," a spokesman said.

In Thailand hundreds of thousands of people, joined by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, were expected to gather Monday evening in the centre of Bangkok, where busy roads were to be closed.

Events in the country were likely to be partially overshadowed by rising death tolls from road accidents in a New Year build up which has seen 84 killed and thousands injured.

Elsewhere in Thailand one foreigner drowned and two Britons were stabbed and seriously wounded during a giant beach party on the southern island of Phangan involving an estimated 50,000 people.

Indonesia, where recent unrest between Muslims and Christians has claimed scores of lives, was expected to witness heavy security for the celebrations.

Some 21,000 police and 7,000 soldiers would maintain order in Jakarta, a police spokesman said.

"This is New Year's Eve, everyone will be celebrating, Muslims and non-Muslims alike," he added.

Meanwhile, Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri was due to celebrate New Year's Eve and her husband's 59th birthday at a lavish party in Bali despite criticism that she was taking a five-day break amid a mounting pile of work.

Some 350,000 revellers were expected to throng through Malaysia's capital to join in the New Year countdown with the country's economic slowdown failing to dampen the festive mood.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was due to join celebrations in Kuala Lumpur's Independence Square at a flag-raising and fireworks display.

Tight security was also expected across the Philippines where traditionally exuberant festivities have already left 72 people injured from illegal firecrackers and gunfire.

Over-excited police officers also faced stiff penalties if they were caught following a Philippine tradition by firing their service firearms to greet the New Year with a bang.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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