Myanmar may embarrass ASEAN<\/p>\n
By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): While Myanmar's eventual admission into the
\nAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a forgone
\nconclusion, Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Badawi's recent
\nannouncement that Yangon has formally applied for membership
\nbrings the reality closer to home.<\/p>\n
This means that in less than a year Myanmar could be a full
\nmember of ASEAN. With that member states are faced with the
\nimmediate reality of having one of the world's most unsavory
\nregimes in its ranks.<\/p>\n
The questions are, will ASEAN adopt a care-free business-as-
\nusual attitude, and who will truly benefit, at least in the short
\nrun, from Myanmar's entry.<\/p>\n
Officials display an upbeat attitude to Myanmar's membership,
\nsaying it accomplishes the dream of an ASEAN 10. But academics
\nhave been more doubtful.<\/p>\n
Analysts, both from inside and outside the region, have been
\ncounting the benefits and costs. Either way it is a close call.<\/p>\n
British academic and Asian expert Michael Leifer in Jakarta
\nrecently expressed skepticism and concern.<\/p>\n
\"It is a matter that could cause ASEAN considerable
\ninternational embarrassment,\" he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
\"I think the benefits of membership of Myanmar in ASEAN are
\nmuch greater for Myanmar than they are for ASEAN,\" said Leifer, a
\nprofessor at the London School of Economics and Political
\nScience.<\/p>\n
What are the gains for ASEAN? The first is of course symbolic
\n-- realizing the 30-year-old dream of encompassing all 10
\nSoutheast Asian states.<\/p>\n
The second is of a strategic nature. ASEAN is worried that if
\nMyanmar does not come into the fore soon it will become aligned
\nwith China.<\/p>\n
Thus far the seven ASEAN members -- Brunei, Indonesia,
\nMalaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam --
\nhave maintained a policy of \"constructive engagement\". They argue
\nthat engaging Myanmar will help promote a more open and
\ndemocratic government.<\/p>\n
While ASEAN's refusal to follow the West in isolating Myanmar
\nis understandable, its continued refusal to criticize Yangon has
\nleft many exasperated and angry.<\/p>\n
\"They (ASEAN) may find themselves put into a position of
\njustifying the unjustifiable,\" Leifer remarked, pointing to
\npossible repetitions of the events in 1988 during which some
\n1,000 demonstrators were reportedly gunned down during pro-
\ndemocracy rallies.<\/p>\n
During a visit here to the ASEAN Secretariat in July, Myanmar
\nForeign Minister Ohn Gyaw rebutted questions from journalists and
\nmaintained that based on Myanmar's values, the definition human
\nrights consisted merely of food, clothing and shelter.<\/p>\n
Projecting a strong sense of self-confidence, Ohn Gyaw argued
\nthat a strong government was needed to satisfy these basic
\nnecessities.<\/p>\n
Warning of the consequences, Leifer was scathing in his
\nassessment of those who defended such self-serving values: \"While
\nit's possible to make arguments of Asian values and strong
\ngovernment, ASEAN I think will be embarrassed by a strong
\ngovernment with too much blood on its hands.\"<\/p>\n
Indonesian political scientist Soedjati Djiwandono of the
\nJakarta-based Center for Strategic and International Studies
\nargued that while the policy of non-interference has its merits,
\nASEAN should be more selective in its application.<\/p>\n
\"How long can we maintain that? We have to review what kind of
\ndomestic affairs we don't interfere in,\" he argued.<\/p>\n
While admitting that Jakarta is probably \"no better\" in its
\nhuman rights record, Soedjati expressed exasperation with ASEAN's
\nhabit of turning a blind eye to human rights abuses.<\/p>\n
ASEAN values or the colloquial \"ASEAN way\" conceal and even
\njustify human rights abuses and authoritarian regimes.<\/p>\n
Supporters of the \"constructive engagement\" policy say that it
\nmay be part of a \"carrot and stick\" strategy.<\/p>\n
As Western states wield the \"stick\", ASEAN is dangling the
\n\"carrot\" by showing Yangon the benefits of opening up further.<\/p>\n
Yet the question remains: How can ASEAN be constructive and
\nimprove democracy and human rights when it has never officially
\nexpressed any such concerns to Myanmar.<\/p>\n
So can constructive engagement improve the situation in
\nMyanmar?<\/p>\n
\"The simple answer is: No. I don't think constructive
\nengagement will change it,\" Leifer replied.<\/p>\n
The outcome may be the exact opposite. \"There's a danger that
\nmembership of ASEAN will be used as an additional basis of
\nlegitimacy and perpetuation of a military regime,\" he warned.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/myanmar-may-embarrass-asean-1447893297",
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