ASEAN pushing for change<\/p>\n
If encouraging messages about \"bold initiatives\" bandied about
\nbefore (Monday) night's formal dinner are translated into policy,
\nthe leaders will have given a crucial boost to ASEAN's
\ncredibility.<\/p>\n
The outside world is looking for leadership, and the meeting
\nin Hanoi offers a great opportunity to show it. But should the
\nsummit become just another forum for ideological debate and
\neconomic fudge, the more go-ahead members may ask if there is any
\npoint in continuing with a group which too often seems to debate
\nmuch but achieve little.<\/p>\n
There does appear to be a new willingness to recognize that
\nfrank dialogue and occasionally painful action is required to
\nsolve the region's problems.<\/p>\n
But can this disparate collection of nations agree on measures
\n-- such as foreign ownership of land or a fast-track opening to
\nforeign investment -- when there are so many divides within its
\nranks? Some members, for example, have laws which prohibit
\nprivate ownership of land.<\/p>\n
Even with a two-tier approach designed to give less-developed
\neconomies breathing space, policy differences may intervene. But
\nat least the proposed bold plans do represent a real push for
\nchange; this is healthier for ASEAN's image than endless wrangles
\nover Cambodia's admission. At a time when the organization's
\nrelevance is at stake, days spent debating its proper size
\nsuggest to critics that the leaders have lost touch with reality.<\/p>\n
The past year's turmoil offers an opportunity for a fresh
\nstart. Crises in Indonesia and Malaysia have shifted power inside
\nthe group, and brought in new leaders with relatively radical
\nideas.<\/p>\n
The year has shown the strengths of the democratic system in
\nmaintaining stability and aiding recovery; this may encourage the
\nmore authoritarian regimes to recognize that trade liberalization
\nis one aspect of an escape from crisis.<\/p>\n
The final test is whether all members will agree to the \"bold
\ninitiatives\". If they decide to be bland one more time, even more
\nof their citizens will wonder what ASEAN is really all about.<\/p>\n
-- The South China Morning Post, Hong Kong<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/asean-pushing-for-change-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }