ASEAN urged to form common security system<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A prominent former army general has called for
\nthe establishment of a common regional security system in
\nsoutheast Asia to diffuse potential problems in the rapidly
\ngrowing region.<\/p>\n
\"Political, social and cultural cooperation alone cannot
\nautomatically resolve the problems of defense and security,\" said
\nGen. (ret) Soemitro here yesterday.<\/p>\n
Addressing the regional security of the Association of South
\nEast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the new world order, Soemitro said
\nthat matters concerning security were the most sensitive issues
\namong neighboring countries.<\/p>\n
The former commander of the Internal Security Agency was
\naddressing a two-day seminar organized by the Indonesian Students
\nAssociation for International Studies.<\/p>\n
ASEAN Secretary General, Ajit Singh, in his opening address
\nsaid that to enhance regional security ASEAN states created an
\ninnovative mechanism called the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).<\/p>\n
\"The ARF is a reflection of ASEAN's desire to preserve the
\npeace and stability in the region and to ensure that potential
\nthreats and tensions are diffused,\" Ajit Singh said.<\/p>\n
ASEAN was founded by Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines,
\nMalaysia and Indonesia and, since its formation in 1967, has
\nsucceeded in subduing tensions in a previously fractured region.<\/p>\n
The group expanded to include Brunei 11-years ago and next
\nyear may also move to include Vietnam.<\/p>\n
\"How else would we have had these 27 years of uninterrupted
\npeace?\" Ajit Singh asked in reference to ASEAN's existence.<\/p>\n
Suspicion<\/p>\n
Despite ASEAN's accomplishments, Soemitro was more critical in
\nhis approach when stating that diplomacy alone would not settle
\nthe issue.<\/p>\n
\"Suspicion cannot be eliminated by declarations,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Just in the past three days, Malaysia's exhibition of its
\nnewly formed Rapid Deployment Force at the Langkawi island has
\nreportedly upset its three closest neighbors.<\/p>\n
ASEAN members at present do not have a common defense pact
\nexcept for those established bilaterally.<\/p>\n
According to Soemitro the preliminary steps in any regional
\nsecurity framework would be a measure of confidence building.<\/p>\n
\"Mistrust is a residual concoction of the Superpowers from the
\nCold War era and must be eliminated immediately,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Once the groundwork of trust has been set, the nations then
\nneed to establish a rapport between the armed forces of the
\nindividual countries.<\/p>\n
This can be achieved through exchange of intelligence and
\nofficer training followed by joint military exercises, he said.
\nSoemitro also stressed the importance of developing a common
\nmilitary doctrine among regional armed forces.<\/p>\n
\"When security and defense along with political, economic and
\ncultural cooperation have been firmly established, there won't be
\nany room for suspicion. We will then have a firm basis for
\nresolving any problems that arise,\" Soemitro said.<\/p>\n
Though Soemitro strongly advocates the creation of a common
\nregional security system, he rejects any notion it may be a
\nmilitary pact\/alliance.<\/p>\n
\"The essential difference is that it does not include foreign
\npowers,\" he noted, adding that it is not directed at against any
\none country in or outside the region.<\/p>\n
Comprehensive<\/p>\n
Ninok Leksono, whose doctoral thesis at the University of
\nIndonesia examined the regional arms race in south east Asia,
\npresented a similar argument yesterday that he called
\n\"comprehensive security.\"<\/p>\n
He explained that the concept meant consolidating national
\ndevelopment in a spectrum of areas ranging from ideology and
\npolitics to economics and defense.<\/p>\n
\"It works under the premise that the primary threat in south
\neast Asia is not external, but internal,\" he said.(mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/asean-urged-to-form-common-security-system-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}