ASEAN, an historical embodiment of Southeast Asia<\/p>\n
The following is the second of two articles based on the
\naddress of former foreign minister Ali Alatas on his acceptance
\nof a degree of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, conferred by the
\nNational University of Singapore on Sept. 19.<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE: We must push on with the realization of the ASEAN
\nFree Trade Area to prove that even in adversity we do not turn
\ninward or shy away from the challenges of globalization. We must
\nalso continue to weave sturdy social safety nets even during
\ntimes of respite from crisis.<\/p>\n
We must move the process of the ASEAN Regional Forum from the
\npresent stage of confidence-building to the next stages, that of
\npromoting preventive diplomacy and the formulation of effective
\napproaches towards conflict resolution.<\/p>\n
The capacity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to
\ncombat transnational crimes such as drug trafficking, terrorism,
\npiracy and money laundering should be rapidly enhanced. At the
\nsame time ASEAN must bolster its capability to address the new
\nglobal issues: the environment, human rights, good governance and
\ndemocratization.<\/p>\n
As an integral part of the Asia-Pacific, ASEAN shares the
\ndestiny of the larger region, whether it be in the realm of
\neconomics, politics or security. And tensions and anxieties at
\npotential conflict are pervasive in that region if only for the
\nfact that the physical presence and interests of four major
\npowers converge on it.<\/p>\n
Moreover, the region is saddled with chronic territorial
\ndisputes such those between Japan and Russia and between China
\nand Japan. Just as perturbing are the China-Taiwan problem and
\nthe overlapping claims of sovereignty and territorial
\njurisdiction over parts or all of the Spratly islands group by
\nfive countries in the region and Taiwan.<\/p>\n
All these could erupt into violence if not prudently managed.
\nA recent addition to this dangerous mix of controversies is the
\nUnited States Plan on National and Theater Missile Defense.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, there are positive developments in the region,
\nthe most hopeful being the growing rapport between the Democratic
\nPeople's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea. For five
\ndecades, tension between the two Koreas, and its nuclear
\nimplications, kept the international community worried and
\nnervous.<\/p>\n
But the situation changed dramatically for the better at the
\nhistoric summit between the two Koreas last mid-June. The fact
\nthat this summit took place at all created a new and positive
\npolitical momentum in the region.<\/p>\n
This was followed by the first-time participation of the DPRK
\nin the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the only venue in the Asia-
\nPacific for the discussion of political and security issues
\nsupported by all major powers, and gave a big boost to the
\nForum's credibility by just being there.<\/p>\n
Among the problems of ASEAN today is a by-product of its own
\nearlier successes: its growth to include all the 10 nations of
\nSoutheast Asia. This has resulted in a perception of a two-tiered
\nASEAN, with the lower tier consisting of the latest members to
\njoin ASEAN, which ASEAN's Western partners tend to consider as
\nless economically dynamic, liberal and advanced than the first
\nsix members.<\/p>\n
This view is rather simplistic but there is enough truth in
\nit. That is why ASEAN is working hard to close the gap between
\nthe development level of the original members and that of the new
\nones. Thus, ASEAN is focusing on development schemes that will
\nespecially benefit the new members, such as the Mekong Basin
\nproject.<\/p>\n
The crisis is over and the convalescence of the affected ASEAN
\neconomies is undeniable; but because of perceptions of the
\nAssociation's ineffectiveness, vulnerability and lack of
\ncohesion, foreign direct investments, so necessary to complete
\nthat convalescence, are shying away from ASEAN. This is a case
\nwhere perception creates the thing perceived.<\/p>\n
One misperception is the view that ASEAN has been weakened
\nbecause Indonesia, wherein lives 40 percent of the ASEAN region's
\npopulation, is too heavily saddled with economic, political and
\npeace-and-order problems to contribute significantly to ASEAN.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has not disintegrated nor has its contributions to
\nASEAN been so drastically reduced. And while the major problems
\nof Indonesia, like those of any other member, are felt all over
\nthe region, ASEAN itself does not depend its viability on any
\nsingle country.<\/p>\n
Its instruments, processes and procedures have acquired a life
\nof their own that is independent of the temporary circumstances
\nof any single member.<\/p>\n
We do have formidable problems facing ASEAN but it would be
\nwide off the mark for anyone to write us off. ASEAN remains
\nrelevant and vitally important to all of us in Southeast Asia and
\nwell beyond.<\/p>\n
Both Singapore and Indonesia have profited from our
\ninvolvement in ASEAN, from its successes and achievements, in a
\nway that could not be matched if we worked only on a bilateral
\nbasis.<\/p>\n
Indeed, one achievement that we often fail to credit ASEAN
\nwith is the undeniable growth and strengthening of bilateral
\nrelations among its members.<\/p>\n
Hence, the ASEAN dream is still a possible dream and the ASEAN
\nway of life a tangible reality. The ASEAN dream belongs more to
\nthe young generation -- which will wearing the mantle of ASEAN's
\nleadership.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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