ASEM needs to take on political security issues<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): International academics yesterday agreed that
\nthe Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), whose primary focus is economic
\ncooperation, must not neglect the dimension of political
\nsecurity.<\/p>\n
Speakers at a seminar to asses the first ASEM, at the Center
\nfor Strategic and International Studies yesterday, pointed out
\nthat the forged partnership would not be as strong if it
\nneglected political security.<\/p>\n
"The relations would not develop their true potential,"
\nexplained Hans W. Maull who holds the chair for foreign policy
\nand international relations at the University of Tier in Germany.<\/p>\n
The speakers were in accord that there was very little in the
\npolitical-security realm discussed during the first ASEM.<\/p>\n
Indonesian political observer Hasnan Habib said: "The
\npolitical-security dimension was almost totally absent."<\/p>\n
The first ASEM in Bangkok in March brought together heads of
\ngovernment from 15 states of the European Union and 10 Asian
\nnations.<\/p>\n
The idea originated from the fact that, unlike relations with
\ncountries in the Pacific rim countries, Asia and Europe were
\nbereft of a forum for cooperation. ASEM was established to remedy
\nthis situation.<\/p>\n
Another noted academic, Gerald Segal, also addressed the lack
\nof a political dimension within ASEM.<\/p>\n
"Europeans should not be taken as occasional traders," the
\nSenior Fellow at the London based International Institute for
\nStrategic and Studies said.<\/p>\n
The speakers acknowledged that, compared to the United States'
\npresence in the region, Europe's is bound to appear limited.
\nNevertheless, it could still make an important contribution, they
\nagreed.<\/p>\n
Two European countries which were pointed out as possible
\ncontributors were Britain, with its long seafaring tradition, and
\nFrance which still maintains a small fleet in the South Pacific.<\/p>\n
Areas of the political security partnership could include such
\nprojects as maritime cooperation.<\/p>\n
The academics also said they believed that it is inevitable
\nthat such social-political issues have to be dealt with.<\/p>\n
French academic Francois Godement said that controversy over
\nstate models, political systems and values "will never completely
\ngo away". However, he said he did not believe that they were
\nissues over which "battle lines" would be drawn.<\/p>\n
Similarly, Segal said that human rights would not be an issue
\nthat would destroy the process of forging cooperation between
\nAsia and Europe.<\/p>\n
"Human rights is not necessarily a divisive issue," he
\nremarked.<\/p>\n
Speaking of the second ASEM due to be held in London in 1998,
\nMaull said it would be a good idea for the leaders to have a
\nfixed agenda during their meeting.<\/p>\n
In Bangkok, the leaders did not define the issues which would
\nbe agreed upon but merely had a general running guideline.<\/p>\n
"If you don't have such an agenda, interest would fade very
\nquickly," he said. He maintained, however, that as long as a
\ncommon rationale had been established, discussions could still
\nprogress positively. (mds)<\/p>",
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