A show of solidarity

A show of solidarity

We gladly welcome yesterday's agreement between Philippines President Fidel Ramos and Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong that the two governments should try to keep their bilateral relations on an even keel.

It really gladdens us in that both Singapore and the Philippines, as founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), have shown their political maturity and wisdom in tackling the crisis arising from the hanging of Flor Contemplacion, a Filipina maid convicted of a double murder by a Singapore court last month. In doing so, they are embracing the basic tenets of ASEAN unity.

The agreement, obviously, signals that the ASEAN spirit and solidarity has prevailed after three weeks of strained relations and a series of escalating rhetorical exchanges between the two countries in the wake of Contemplacion's execution.

Since its establishment in 1967, ASEAN, whose other members are Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei, has gone through thick and thin to achieve its present position in the world political arena. Hence, diplomatic rifts among its member countries would surely weaken the regional alliance's economic and political cooperation, especially now that countries in the region have a more important role than ever to play in this era of globalization.

Ramos and Goh reportedly have also agreed that their foreign ministers will work out an arrangement for experts in forensic medicine to re-examine the remains of Delia Maga, whom Singapore courts say was murdered by Contemplacion.

Although the two leaders have taken a good initial step toward calming the situation and toward stopping bilateral relations from further deteriorating, there is still much that has to be done to restore the damaged ties.

It is our sincere wish to see that the ties between the two countries return to normal soon, even if the two countries have to work hard to achieve this.

In the event that a mediator, or a third party, is needed to help expedite the restoration of a cordial and warm friendship between Manila and Singapore, we believe Indonesia will go to any length to undertake the task.

Indonesia's request to the Singapore government in 1968 to commute the death sentence of two Indonesian marines, who were arrested and sentenced to death during the confrontation period, was also rejected. The execution was carried out just a few months after ASEAN was set up.

It is true that the incident sparked a major outcry against Singapore, but the Indonesian government, under the leadership of President Soeharto, went to great lengths to behave with restraint and to maintain bilateral relations with Singapore.

The wisdom and maturity of President Soeharto, who believed then, and still does, that regional peace and stability is of utmost importance to Indonesia's development efforts, has been acknowledged by Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Lee, who was then prime minister of the island state, said of the Indonesian president in 1986: "His policies made it possible for ASEAN to become an organization for constructive and cooperative relationships between members, and for the solidarity of its members in meeting external problems."

Given that the Indonesian President is the most senior incumbent leader in the region, and in Asia as well, we believe that both the Philippines and Singapore will follow the example of what he has done to maintain ASEAN solidarity and friendship.