Testing time for East Timor: ASEAN's political perspective<\/p>\n
Kavi Chongkittavorn, The Nation, Asia News Network, Bangkok<\/p>\n
As the world's youngest nation, East Timor's independence will
\nbe welcomed by the global community, although ASEAN is ambivalent
\nwhether to include the country as its eleventh member.<\/p>\n
In February ASEAN foreign ministers decided to throw the ball
\ninto Dili's court, arguing that the East Timorese leaders had yet
\nto make up their minds on their own geographical identity --
\nwhether they are in Southeast Asia or the South Pacific. Without
\nthis decision, ASEAN cannot proceed with the future membership
\nissue. Judging from strong ASEAN sentiment, East Timor's long-
\ncherished hope that it could be a bridge between both regions
\nremains a distant dream.<\/p>\n
ASEAN has adroitly used the lack of consensus to delay
\nadmitting East Timor. Although Burma was hostile to Dili's
\nobserver status because of the East Timor leaders' sympathy with
\nopposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, it has always been
\nIndonesia's deep psychological scare that defines ASEAN's stance.
\nJakarta has flip-flopped from fully backing full membership for
\nEast Timor under former president Abdurrahman Wahid to a more
\nrecalcitrant policy under President Megawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
In the absence of Indonesian clarity, ASEAN muddles through as
\nit does not want to upset Jakarta's delicate position. The
\ngrouping realizes the whole situation still hinges on Indonesia's
\ndomestic development linked to broader secessionist sentiments in
\nseveral provinces. Of late Megawati has forged closer ties with
\nthe Indonesian armed forces in an effort to stabilize a fluid
\npolitical situation and maintain security. Doubtless Jakarta's
\nposition on East Timor has been toughened.<\/p>\n
Be that as it may, it is imperative for East Timor to announce
\nclearly and early that it belongs to Southeast Asia and would
\nlike to become a member in the future. That way Dili can gauge
\nJakarta's real intention and ASEAN's as well. When East Timor was
\nannexed in 1975 as the 27th province of Indonesia none questioned
\nits geographical identity as part of Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n
Brunei was admitted as an ASEAN member immediately after it
\ngained independence in 1981 as a means to ensure its security
\nagainst mammoth neighbors and its eventual integration with the
\nregion. The situation of East Timor is much more serious than was
\nBrunei's. With fresh memories of atrocities committed by
\nIndonesian troops, East Timor's accession to ASEAN may serve as a
\nshield for its fragile security against its former ruler. In the
\nlong run this will discourage any tendency towards reinterference
\non the part of the Indonesian army. After all, the Indonesian
\narmy still suffers from the greatest humiliation for its actions
\nin East Timor.<\/p>\n
For the time being ASEAN contends that the East Timorese
\nleaders, especially Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta, are not
\nserious about joining ASEAN because of their continued hostile
\nwords about the grouping. Although Ramos Horta has recently
\nmellowed in his comments, many ASEAN members are still offended.
\nASEAN also says that Dili does not show any enthusiasm to open
\nmissions in member countries beyond Indonesia, a criterion for
\nmembership.<\/p>\n
Under these circumstances, several ASEAN members are wavering.
\nThey argue that ASEAN should consolidate the new members admitted
\nsince 1995 before considering East Timor's status. Thailand, for
\ninstance, which used to be very supportive of East Timor's
\nintegration, has adopted a low profile. Bangkok still wishes to
\nsee East Timor's future security protected as part of ASEAN as it
\ndeems it crucial to the region's peace and stability.<\/p>\n
East Timor's best option seems to rest with Southeast Asia.
\nApart from security, it can benefit from the myriad forms of
\neconomic and social cooperation that ASEAN has with its dialogue
\npartners. Certainly, as an emerging democratic country, East
\nTimor must come to terms with the imperfect situation it
\nencounters in ASEAN.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, the South Pacific Forum has been
\nenthusiastic in embracing East Timor. The forum views Dili as a
\nnatural partner, representing an important step in strengthening
\nnation-building. Granted this goodwill, East Timor can always be
\npart of the forum.<\/p>\n
For the time being, Dili's association with the forum,
\nespecially with Australia and New Zealand, can be in the form of
\nbilateral relations or a subregional arrangement. This way it can
\nbenefit from the assistance from these two rich neighbors.<\/p>\n
East Timor can prevent ASEAN opacity and lack of consensus
\nobstructing its long-term objective of benefiting from both
\nworlds. Despite the ASEAN ethos and way of doing things, it is
\nstill the East Timorese who will decide what is good for them,
\nand they should have that privilege with full ASEAN support.<\/p>",
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