Summit heralds united region<\/p>\n
By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat<\/p>\n
BANGKOK (JP): In an unprecedented event, leaders of the 10
\nnations in the region gathered here yesterday to map out the
\nbeginnings of a united Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n
Though brief, the meeting at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel
\nwas a milestone in the region's history with many pointing to it
\nas the embryo of a united Southeast Asia under ASEAN.<\/p>\n
The meeting brought together leaders of the Association of
\nSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) -- Brunei's Sultan Hassanal
\nBolkiah, Indonesia's President Soeharto, Malaysia's Prime
\nMinister Mahathir Mohamad, Philippines' President Fidel Ramos,
\nSingapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, Thailand's Prime
\nMinister Banharn Silpa-Archa and Vietnam's Prime Minister Vo Van
\nKiet with non-ASEAN members in the region such as Cambodian joint
\nPrime Ministers Norodom Ranariddh and Hun Sen, Laotian Prime
\nMinister Khamtay Siphandone and Myanmarese Prime Minister Than
\nShwe.<\/p>\n
"The close rapport and understanding we established has paved
\nthe way for the early realization of our vision of the ASEAN
\ncommunity of 10 nations," said Goh Chok Tong of the meeting.<\/p>\n
As Laos' Khamtay Siphandone said, the dynamic growth of the
\nregion was achieved thanks to ASEAN's ability to avoid
\nmisunderstandings and boost cooperation.<\/p>\n
It is expected that these three nations will become ASEAN
\nmembers by the end of the decade.<\/p>\n
Banharn also said the meeting with the CLM, the popular term
\nfor Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), would
\nhelp accelerate the vision set by ASEAN's founders.<\/p>\n
"I warmly welcome the goodwill and seriousness the three
\ncountries have demonstrated towards ASEAN," Banharn said.<\/p>\n
Though nothing tangible came out of the meeting, by all
\naccounts it helped to create better understanding and underline
\nthe commitment and spirit of ASEAN to help CLM.<\/p>\n
The heads of government of the 10 nations agreed that to
\nachieve a prosperous Southeast Asia the most appropriate approach
\nis to boost economic linkages and develop interdependence among
\nall nations in the region.<\/p>\n
Realizing the momentum created by this meeting, the leaders
\nidentified the main objectives for cooperation.<\/p>\n
The first is to strengthen the feeling of unity by involving
\nthe CLM in more ASEAN activities along with the sharing of
\nexperience and knowledge through various collaborations such as
\nexchange programs, training and research.<\/p>\n
The ASEAN leaders also stressed the importance of facilitating
\nthe CLM's transition into market economies to help hasten
\neconomic growth and development.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, as future members of ASEAN, the CLM must be
\nprepared to enter the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).<\/p>\n
According to Goh Chok Tong, the CLM could face difficulties in
\nmeeting the requirements of AFTA. "They will also face difficulty
\nin discharging their manifold obligations within ASEAN including
\nAFTA," he said.<\/p>\n
To boost economic growth, Goh proposed ASEAN-sponsored
\nmeasures to help development in the Mekong Basin.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas told
\njournalists that the heads of state had reached an agreement to
\nhelp develop the countries in the Mekong Basin: China, Cambodia,
\nLaos, Myanmar and Vietnam.<\/p>\n
Despite the apparent enthusiasm yesterday, there was still
\nconfusion whether the CLM countries would be invited to ASEAN's
\ninformal Summit in Indonesia next year.<\/p>\n
While Alatas said CLM's participation would still need further
\nconsultation, Malaysia's Mahathir said he had little doubt the
\nthree countries would be present for the informal summit.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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