Sanctions seen ineffective to improve human rights<\/p>\n
BATAM, Riau (JP): Private sector representatives from the
\nUnited States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
\nspoke out yesterday against the use of unilateral measures to
\naddress human rights concerns.<\/p>\n
In front of senior officials from the U.S. and ASEAN, the
\nrepresentatives argued that economic sanctions and threats will
\nnot achieve their desired objectives.<\/p>\n
During a presentation of a joint position paper prepared by
\nthe ASEAN-U.S. Business Council, American George David, president
\nof United Technologies Corporation, and Malaysian Tun Sri Azizan
\nZainal Abidin, chairman of Petronas, said sanctions often fail to
\nbring about improvements in human rights and workers rights.<\/p>\n
They maintained that human rights concerns are best served
\nthrough diplomatic channels both at the bilateral and
\nmultilateral levels.<\/p>\n
The business delegates voiced their opinions during the last
\nday of a two-day U.S.-ASEAN dialog. The first day of discussions
\nconsisted mostly of political issues while today's meetings
\nfocused on economic matters.<\/p>\n
ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
\nSingapore, Thailand and Vietnam.<\/p>\n
Co-chairing the meeting was Izhar Ibrahim, Director General of
\nPolitical Affairs at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
\nand Winston Lord, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia
\nand Pacific Affairs.<\/p>\n
Lord later told journalists that he welcomed the candid and
\nvaluable views of the private sector during the meeting but said
\nhe was not surprised at their recommendations.<\/p>\n
\"The American business community -- and I think this is pretty
\nrepresentative of the broader business community -- does not
\nagree on the whole with the kind of legislation you're referring
\nto,\" he said when asked to comment.<\/p>\n
Washington recently adopted a law which threatens sanctions
\nagainst parties which have commercial dealings worth more than
\nUS$40 million with Cuba, Iran and Libya.<\/p>\n
ASEAN senior officials during the first day of the meeting on
\nWednesday also expressed concern with the legislation and the
\nnegative implications it could have on other countries.<\/p>\n
ASEAN officials said the law does not conform to international
\nlaw and the rights of sovereign nations.<\/p>\n
Lord said that while Washington persists in pursuing the most
\npeaceful means, sometimes national interests dictate the need for
\nstrict measures.<\/p>\n
\"We of course try to solve issues, whether they're economic or
\nsecurity, in the most cooperative manner possible. But there are
\ntimes when American national interest is involved and we have to
\nuse other methods,\" he explained.<\/p>\n
Another matter brought up was the lack of double taxation
\ntreaties between the U.S. and many ASEAN countries.<\/p>\n
Currently the U.S. only has treaties with Indonesia and the
\nPhilippines.<\/p>\n
The private sector representatives urged governments to place
\nthe highest priority on forging double taxation treaties, which
\nthey say will help promote American trade, investment and
\ntechnological transfers to ASEAN.<\/p>\n
Lord later told journalists that the U.S. is currently working
\non a taxation treaty with another ASEAN member.<\/p>\n
\"We've been working for sometime on a taxation treaty with
\nThailand. Its been a major objective,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately, ASEAN officials revealed that U.S. officials have
\nsuggested the possibility of holding a U.S.-ASEAN dialog about
\nthe automotive sector, involving both the government and the
\nprivate sector.<\/p>\n
They said the dialog will likely be conducted under the U.S.-
\nASEAN alliance for mutual growth.<\/p>\n
The dialog would be aimed at helping create a better
\nunderstanding of developments in the automotive industry and
\nfurther boost the presence of U.S. automakers in the region.<\/p>\n
Speaking about the overall atmosphere of the two-day U.S.-
\nASEAN dialog, Izhar Ibrahim said deliberations were conducted in
\na candid but friendly manner.<\/p>\n
He maintained that despite a few disagreements, there were
\nmany points on which the two sides saw eye to eye.<\/p>\n
The next meeting is scheduled to be held in the United States
\nin 1997. (mds)<\/p>",
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