In defense of constructive engagement<\/p>\n
Now that Myanmar is an ASEAN observer, with the promise of
\nfull membership in two years, it is possible to look back with
\nsome amusement on the hype and the hysterics, and the postures
\nstruck by some Western spokesmen. Not for a moment is this to
\nsuggest that ASEAN should -- or did -- turn a blind eye to what
\nPhilippine Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon rightly described as
\na common commitment to \"participatory democracy and respect for
\nhuman rights\". But the controversy that was quite unnecessarily
\ncreated might recommend the need for a review of relations with a
\nEuropean Union (EU) whose agenda on a number of issues may not
\nsynchronize with ASEAN's priorities. Dissent may be the essence
\nof debate, but there are situations, and this was one of them,
\nwhen it can only distract attention and energy from more
\nimportant matters at hand.<\/p>\n
This summit and post-ministerial conference were path-breaking
\nevents. The inclusion of China and Russia as full dialogue
\npartners recognized an Asia-Pacific reality; extension of the
\nsame status to India indicated formal acknowledgement of the
\nbeginnings of a synergistic partnership. Myanmar's eventual full
\nmembership, to be preceded by Laos and Cambodia, underscored the
\nlong-term vision of the ASEAN 10. Hardly could such a concept, of
\nvital importance to millions of Asians, be allowed to be
\ndisrupted because the European Parliament had passed a resolution
\ncalling for sanctions against Myanmar. Strict adherence to the
\ndemand would have deprived even EU chairman Dick Spring of what
\nhe admitted was a \"useful opportunity\" for exchanging views with
\nMyanmar Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw.<\/p>\n
Nothing, in fact, summed up the choice better than this
\nepisode. Either there is a dialogue, with its inherent scope of
\ninfluencing attitudes and actions, or there is a boycott, which
\namounts to disclaiming all responsibility for present and future
\nconditions. The latter course is hardly advisable for neighbors
\nwith so much at stake.<\/p>\n
-- The Straits Times, Singapore<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/in-defense-of-constructive-engagement-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }