A growing ASEAN<\/p>\n
Some skeptical comments notwithstanding, it seems that the
\nattention that has been given by international observers and by
\nthe region's media to the just-concluded ASEAN foreign ministers
\nconference in Bangkok is not totally unjustified. The various
\nstatements of recognition that have been voiced in the West, for
\nexample, can surely be regarded as a valid indication that ASEAN
\n-- the Association of Southeast Asian Nations -- is now on its
\nway to becoming a truly constructive regional force that is not
\nto be overlooked.<\/p>\n
Considering the import of the principles agreed on by the
\nforeign ministers of the six ASEAN member states, it is probably
\nnot too farfetched for us to say that this most recent meeting in
\nBangkok has been one of the more meaningful of the ASEAN meetings
\nin the past few years and one that fits well the post-Cold War
\nmood that is at present pervading the globe.<\/p>\n
One of the most widely publicized byproducts of this week's
\nBangkok meeting, no doubt, was the establishment of the first-
\never ASEAN Regional Forum. Surely, it was no mean feat to bring
\ntogether the foreign ministers of 17 countries and the European
\nUnion for a frank and open discussion regarding the measures that
\ncould be taken to reduce the potential for conflicts in the
\nSoutheast Asian and Asia-Pacific regions.<\/p>\n
As the Japanese foreign minister, Yohei Kono, said, awareness
\nis growing of the importance of a region-wide political and
\nsecurity dialog in increasing the transparency of each country's
\npolicy and the sense of mutual reassurance in the Asia-Pacific
\nregion.<\/p>\n
All this clearly proves that, in the 27th year of its
\nexistence, ASEAN is maturing as a regional organization aimed at
\nstabilizing the region through economic and cultural cooperation.
\nIt is also clear that it is now becoming increasingly aware of
\nits wider global responsibilities. And certainly the time seems
\nto be right. Formed in 1967, the organization groups Brunei,
\nMalaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, as well as
\nIndonesia. Some of those countries are now recognized as being
\namong the fastest growing economies in the world.<\/p>\n
Given such a growth and considering the political climate now
\nprevailing in the region and in the world, surely ASEAN's wish to
\nexpand its territory to include the whole of Southeast Asia by
\nincorporating the four countries of Indochina would appear
\nreasonable. At this stage, Vietnam appears to be certain to
\nbecome a member in the not too distant future. How long it will
\ntake for the others -- Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar (Burma) -- to
\njoin will of course depend on whether, or how soon, the problems
\nthat stand in the way can be resolved.<\/p>\n
Having said all this, however, it is only fair to point out
\nthat an abundance of obstacles are still there to be resolved
\nbefore ASEAN can become a \"true\" regional organization in the
\nsense, for example, of the European Community. One reason is the
\ndiversity of historical backgrounds and economic as well as
\nnational interests among the present member countries themselves.<\/p>\n
Also, the potential for real conflict which some of those
\ndifferences hold is certainly not to be overlooked. In fact, it
\nis probably this conflict potential that has led to what many
\nobservers see as a kind of arms race now going on among some of
\nthe six ASEAN countries.<\/p>\n
The question is, all those factors considered, whether there
\nis a real future for ASEAN as a regional cooperation
\norganization. We are confident that there is. We believe that all
\nthe differences and the complications with which ASEAN sees
\nitself confronted at present are part of the natural process of
\ngrowth. Naturally, it will take considerable wisdom and
\nstatesmanship on the part of the leaders of all the six member
\nstates concerned to overcome the existing handicaps. Given their
\nperformance over the past decades, however, we are confident that
\nsuch statesmanship will not be lacking.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-growing-asean-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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