Coping with a larger family<\/p>\n
Now that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
\nhas given a new slant to the meaning of noninterference by
\nadmitting Burma (Myanmar) as one of its three new members, the
\nnext steps are eagerly awaited. Having engaged constructively the
\nState Law And Order Restoration Council (SLORC), ASEAN may do
\nwell to begin to induce the illegitimate rulers of Burma into
\nestablishing formal and open contacts with the National League
\nfor Democracy, the legitimate and democratically elected
\ngovernment of Burma. The onus is now on ASEAN and ASEAN alone.<\/p>\n
The admission of SLORC, as opposed to Burma, represents a
\nvictory for the ASEAN states which consider the junta's behavior
\npalatable, which wanted tangible evidence of better behavior.
\nASEAN's chummy style, in which consensus is everything, is all
\nvery well because it ensures that no one makes waves in the
\ngrouping. But in Burma's case, Indonesia and Malaysia, the chief
\nenthusiasts, have the luxury of distance. They have no common
\nborder with Burma, so they are not bothered by an endless flow of
\nrefugees and drugs. They take little interest in cross-border
\nraids in which SLORC-backed renegades kill, rob or abduct people.<\/p>\n
The ceremony next month to admit formally Burma, Cambodia and
\nLaos will be a jolly occasion that will celebrate the realization
\nof one big, happy family. There will be champagne, slaps on the
\nback and photo-calls with national leaders holding hands and
\nwearing exotic shirts in the manner of chorus girls. There is
\nalso the distinct possibility that the happy 10 will become
\nsomething of a dysfunctional family unless the more progressive
\nmembers grasp the formidable challenges that the three newcomers,
\nand SLORC in particular, present.<\/p>\n
-- The Bangkok Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/coping-with-a-larger-family-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }