A need for change

A need for change

After the trials of the past year, foreign ministers locked in
a secret conclave for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) Regional Forum have a lot to mull over as they plan the
way ahead.

But it will take a damascene conversion before conservative
members accept the need for change. Yet political upheaval,
economic collapse and environmental disasters have seen the
message writ large.

Asian neighbors can no more stay aloof from each other's
affairs than they can prevent smoke from distant forest fires
blanking out their cities.

Non-interference poses more problems than it solves. It showed
the 10-nation grouping to be disorganized and ineffective under
stress. Restoring credibility means acknowledging globalization
and the influence of information technology.

The Asian values philosophy that worked well over three
decades is not tailored to the modern world. It has to be
replaced by a more critical approach, because internal problems
no longer stop at borders, and a larger, more diverse ASEAN faces
other challenges.

For example, a timely word to Bangkok could have limited the
fall out from the Thai financial crisis. Closer ties could allow
states who weathered the storm to help and support those whose
populations have been plunged into poverty.

Agreements on trans-boundary pollution are needed to protect
human health as well as the environment, and Manila's proposal
for a Code of Conduct for the South China Seas could prevent
further trouble in that hotly disputed area.

The Taiwan issue, or possible devaluation of the yuan, remain
potential threats. As a unified force, ASEAN can meet all
challenges. Provided it agrees to adopt the "flexible engagement"
approach so vigorously rejected at the last summit, but far more
necessary now.

-- The South China Morning Post, Hong Kong