Preparing for a bigger role<\/p>\n
Today (Tuesday, Aug. 8) ASEAN enters its 28th year of
\nexistence. When it was formed on Aug. 8, 1967, the world was
\nliving in a Cold War atmosphere. The strongest bond at that time
\n-- although never explicitly stated -- was a common sense of
\nbelonging in the face of the communist threat represented by
\nVietnam and the People's Republic of China. The possibility of
\nVietnam coming under a communist regime aroused fear among the
\nnon-communist countries of Southeast Asia. Although rejected by
\nmany, the domino theory nevertheless had its influence on these
\ncountries' attitude. ASEAN was formed as a balancing force to
\noffset the communist block and preserve the equilibrium in the
\nAsian region.<\/p>\n
The end of the Cold War augured by the signing of the
\nStrategic Arms Reduction Treaty on July 31, 1991, in Moscow, put
\nASEAN at the doorstep of a difficult new era. In Europe the end
\nof the Cold War expedited the efforts to come to a joint security
\narrangement, and the Conference for Security and Cooperation in
\nEurope was established. The conflicts that broke out in the
\nformer Soviet Union and Yugoslavia were successfully localized.
\nThe situation prevailing in the Asia-Pacific region was
\ndifferent. Here, the big powers such as the United States, the
\nPeople's Republic of China, Russia and Japan were present and
\ntheir interests often clashed, not only in the economic sphere
\nbut also with regard to their boundaries. In such a situation,
\neven local conflict contained the potential of inviting big power
\nintervention.<\/p>\n
Confronted with such a situation, the countries of Southeast
\nAsia found themselves assuming a very significant role as
\nguardians of the stability in the Asia-Pacific region. In order
\nto be able to perform this role effectively ASEAN will have to
\ninvite the countries of Indochina (Vietnam. Cambodia, Laos) and
\nMyanmar to become members of ASEAN. Vietnam was accepted during
\nthe Ministers Meeting in Brunei Darussalam at the end of last
\nmonth as ASEAN's seventh member. Myanmar and Cambodia are
\nexpected to also join ASEAN before long. With all the countries
\nof Southeast Asia joining, it will be easier for ASEAN to resolve
\nlocal conflict that could endanger regional stability.<\/p>\n
-- Suara Karya, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/preparing-for-a-bigger-role-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }