ASEAN 10 minus 1<\/p>\n
ASEAN's dream almost came true yesterday. The Association of
\nSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) formally admitted two new members
\n-- Myanmar and Laos -- on the eve of its annual foreign
\nministers' meeting in Kuala Lumpur. This brings its membership to
\nnine. It would have been 10, had it not been for the current
\npolitical turmoil in Cambodia.<\/p>\n
It has always been ASEAN's intention -- some call it the ASEAN
\ndream -- since its founding nearly 30 years ago, that it would
\neventually encompass all nations in Southeast Asia. This means
\nall 10 countries in the region.<\/p>\n
Until a few weeks ago, many people were sure that the ASEAN-10
\nwould finally come to fruition this week. There had been concerns
\nabout Myanmar's entry largely because of outside objections, but
\nthe consensus in the region was that Myanmar should be admitted.
\nFew people thought Cambodia's membership would became doubtful
\nand eventually deferred by the existing ASEAN members.<\/p>\n
Although yesterday's ceremony to admit the two new members did
\nnot live up to its earlier billing, it was a historic event
\nnevertheless. The ceremony marked one further step in the
\nevolution of a Southeast Asian community. ASEAN is still a long
\nway from becoming one community where people live in peace,
\nharmony and prosperity, but every inch of progress in that
\ndirection counts. There is no reason why ASEAN should not be
\nrejoicing.<\/p>\n
Any celebration, admittedly, would be dampened by the
\nunfortunate and unexpected events that have unfolded in Cambodia
\nthese past two weeks.<\/p>\n
The bloody power struggle in Cambodia has posed a dilemma for
\nASEAN. It has had to make a quick and tough decision about
\nwhether or not to admit Phnom Penh, now controlled by Second
\nPrime Minister Hun Sen, into the organization. Either way, ASEAN
\ncould be accused of interfering in the internal affairs of
\nCambodia, a sacred ASEAN principle underpinning relations within
\nthe group and with countries outside.<\/p>\n
Some ASEAN critics have accused the organization of applying
\ndouble standards in admitting Myanmar but deferring Cambodia's
\nmembership. One could only say that pragmatism ruled in ASEAN's
\ndecision on Cambodia, but principle prevailed in its decision to
\nadmit Myanmar.<\/p>\n
There is no longer any point in disputing the decision on
\nCambodia at this stage. Instead, attention and energy should now
\nbe expended in helping Cambodia resolve the turmoil.<\/p>\n
ASEAN's offer of mediation has already been rejected by Hun
\nSen, but this does not mean that there is no role for the
\norganization in the future. Hun Sen's rejection was
\nunderstandable because he still has the upper hand, at least on
\nthe ground. But one could predict a deadlock situation some time
\nin the future, and that is when ASEAN's good offices will be
\nrequired. ASEAN not only has a strong stake in restoring peace in
\nCambodia, it also has the necessary diplomatic expertise and
\nknowledge in helping to bring about a peaceful resolution.<\/p>\n
With the admission of the two new ASEAN members, Cambodia has
\nbecome the odd man out in the Southeast Asian community. That is
\nall the more reason for its neighbors to help the country get
\nback on its feet, so that the dream of a peaceful and prosperous
\nSoutheast Asian community can be realized soon.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/asean-10-minus-1-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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