Regional security depends on big powers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Even in the post-Cold war era, the security of
\nthe Asia-Pacific is still very much dependent on the delicate
\nbalance of relations between the region's major powers -- the
\nUnited States, China, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Russia.<\/p>\n
Jusuf Wanandi, chairman of the supervisory board of the Centre
\nfor Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said yesterday
\nthat peace, stability and development, as well as the vibrancy
\nand dynamism of the region, was partly dependent on the major
\npowers and their future relations.<\/p>\n
Being the surviving superpower, the U.S. would remain a
\ndominant political and economical figure in the region, but it
\nwas the role of the other three and their relations with each
\nother which was creating much uncertainty, he said.<\/p>\n
Russia's emergence after the demise of the Soviet Union,
\nconcern over China's territorial ambitions and the increasing
\neconomic prominence of Japan have brought forth were affecting
\nthe stability of the region, he said.<\/p>\n
\"One of the main uncertainties (in the region) is the new
\nequilibrium among the great powers,\" Jusuf said at the opening of
\na two-day \"Indonesia-Russia Conference\" yesterday at the CSIS.<\/p>\n
Overlapping territorial claims contribute a great deal to the
\nuncertainty, he argued, adding that the dispute in the South
\nChina Sea could push China to flex its military might.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's ambassador-at-large for maritime affairs, Hasjim
\nDjalal spoke of the prevailing fear that China could create a
\ngreat deal of trouble in the next century.<\/p>\n
The 50-year-old dispute over the Kuril Islands between Japan
\nand Russia had an important bearing on the region as a whole,
\nHasjim said.<\/p>\n
\"It has become a key issue for us to watch,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Apart from territorial disputes, there was also the question
\nof what role Japan, China and Russia would assume, he said.<\/p>\n
Due to Japan's economic might, Jusuf said it should play a
\nleadership role. \"Japan's leadership is an important factor in
\nthe stability of the region in the future,\" he said.<\/p>\n
However, domestic political conditions presently do not seem
\nto support such a role and Jusuf believes that it will take some
\ntime before this occurs.<\/p>\n
He said he was less certain on the role China would take:
\nwhether it would be a \"status quo power or a revolutionary
\npower.\"<\/p>\n
APEC<\/p>\n
Speaking on Russia's possible stance, Jusuf contended that it
\n\"has ambitions to be a leader.\" However, many agreed that
\ndomestic problems and the European borders would be its priority
\nconcern.<\/p>\n
Despite the order of priorities, the Counselor at the Russian
\nEmbassy in Jakarta, V. Kalinin, underlined the importance Moscow
\nattaches to the region.<\/p>\n
One such example seems to be Russia's insistence that it be
\nincluded in a scheduled Asia-Europe Summit sometime next year and
\na desire to be included in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
\n(APEC) forum.<\/p>\n
\"We expect that our official application for membership of the
\nforum will be considered positively,\" Kalinin said.<\/p>\n
He said that Russia's participation in APEC would enhance
\ncommon economic and trade interests while in turn assisting in
\ncarrying out market-oriented reforms in Russia, particularly in
\nSiberia and the Far East.<\/p>\n
In the maze of these uncertainties, Jusuf argued that the
\nAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) could do much in
\nharmonizing relations between the major powers.<\/p>\n
According to Jusuf, ASEAN provides a model for confidence-
\nbuilding measures. ASEAN consists of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia,
\nthe Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.<\/p>\n
He said ASEAN could promote regional dialog and cooperation in
\nthe political security field, which is crucial to the
\nestablishment of stable relations between the great powers.<\/p>\n
One of the hailed vehicles the Association has used to promote
\nregional security dialog is the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) which
\nbrings together the six-members and other states and regional
\npowers.<\/p>\n
\"The ARF is the initial vehicle to establish a regional
\ninstitution to cope with political security matters for the whole
\nregion,\" Jusuf said. (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/regional-security-depends-on-big-powers-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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