ASEAN 10 minus 1
<p>ASEAN 10 minus 1</p><p> ASEAN's dream almost came true yesterday. The Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) formally admitted two new members
-- Myanmar and Laos -- on the eve of its annual foreign
ministers' meeting in Kuala Lumpur. This brings its membership to
nine. It would have been 10, had it not been for the current
political turmoil in Cambodia.</p><p>It has always been ASEAN's intention -- some call it the ASEAN
dream -- since its founding nearly 30 years ago, that it would
eventually encompass all nations in Southeast Asia. This means
all 10 countries in the region.</p><p>Until a few weeks ago, many people were sure that the ASEAN-10
would finally come to fruition this week. There had been concerns
about Myanmar's entry largely because of outside objections, but
the consensus in the region was that Myanmar should be admitted.
Few people thought Cambodia's membership would became doubtful
and eventually deferred by the existing ASEAN members.</p><p>Although yesterday's ceremony to admit the two new members did
not live up to its earlier billing, it was a historic event
nevertheless. The ceremony marked one further step in the
evolution of a Southeast Asian community. ASEAN is still a long
way from becoming one community where people live in peace,
harmony and prosperity, but every inch of progress in that
direction counts. There is no reason why ASEAN should not be
rejoicing.</p><p>Any celebration, admittedly, would be dampened by the
unfortunate and unexpected events that have unfolded in Cambodia
these past two weeks.</p><p>The bloody power struggle in Cambodia has posed a dilemma for
ASEAN. It has had to make a quick and tough decision about
whether or not to admit Phnom Penh, now controlled by Second
Prime Minister Hun Sen, into the organization. Either way, ASEAN
could be accused of interfering in the internal affairs of
Cambodia, a sacred ASEAN principle underpinning relations within
the group and with countries outside.</p><p>Some ASEAN critics have accused the organization of applying
double standards in admitting Myanmar but deferring Cambodia's
membership. One could only say that pragmatism ruled in ASEAN's
decision on Cambodia, but principle prevailed in its decision to
admit Myanmar.</p><p>There is no longer any point in disputing the decision on
Cambodia at this stage. Instead, attention and energy should now
be expended in helping Cambodia resolve the turmoil.</p><p>ASEAN's offer of mediation has already been rejected by Hun
Sen, but this does not mean that there is no role for the
organization in the future. Hun Sen's rejection was
understandable because he still has the upper hand, at least on
the ground. But one could predict a deadlock situation some time
in the future, and that is when ASEAN's good offices will be
required. ASEAN not only has a strong stake in restoring peace in
Cambodia, it also has the necessary diplomatic expertise and
knowledge in helping to bring about a peaceful resolution.</p><p>With the admission of the two new ASEAN members, Cambodia has
become the odd man out in the Southeast Asian community. That is
all the more reason for its neighbors to help the country get
back on its feet, so that the dream of a peaceful and prosperous
Southeast Asian community can be realized soon.</p>
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) formally admitted two new members
-- Myanmar and Laos -- on the eve of its annual foreign
ministers' meeting in Kuala Lumpur. This brings its membership to
nine. It would have been 10, had it not been for the current
political turmoil in Cambodia.</p><p>It has always been ASEAN's intention -- some call it the ASEAN
dream -- since its founding nearly 30 years ago, that it would
eventually encompass all nations in Southeast Asia. This means
all 10 countries in the region.</p><p>Until a few weeks ago, many people were sure that the ASEAN-10
would finally come to fruition this week. There had been concerns
about Myanmar's entry largely because of outside objections, but
the consensus in the region was that Myanmar should be admitted.
Few people thought Cambodia's membership would became doubtful
and eventually deferred by the existing ASEAN members.</p><p>Although yesterday's ceremony to admit the two new members did
not live up to its earlier billing, it was a historic event
nevertheless. The ceremony marked one further step in the
evolution of a Southeast Asian community. ASEAN is still a long
way from becoming one community where people live in peace,
harmony and prosperity, but every inch of progress in that
direction counts. There is no reason why ASEAN should not be
rejoicing.</p><p>Any celebration, admittedly, would be dampened by the
unfortunate and unexpected events that have unfolded in Cambodia
these past two weeks.</p><p>The bloody power struggle in Cambodia has posed a dilemma for
ASEAN. It has had to make a quick and tough decision about
whether or not to admit Phnom Penh, now controlled by Second
Prime Minister Hun Sen, into the organization. Either way, ASEAN
could be accused of interfering in the internal affairs of
Cambodia, a sacred ASEAN principle underpinning relations within
the group and with countries outside.</p><p>Some ASEAN critics have accused the organization of applying
double standards in admitting Myanmar but deferring Cambodia's
membership. One could only say that pragmatism ruled in ASEAN's
decision on Cambodia, but principle prevailed in its decision to
admit Myanmar.</p><p>There is no longer any point in disputing the decision on
Cambodia at this stage. Instead, attention and energy should now
be expended in helping Cambodia resolve the turmoil.</p><p>ASEAN's offer of mediation has already been rejected by Hun
Sen, but this does not mean that there is no role for the
organization in the future. Hun Sen's rejection was
understandable because he still has the upper hand, at least on
the ground. But one could predict a deadlock situation some time
in the future, and that is when ASEAN's good offices will be
required. ASEAN not only has a strong stake in restoring peace in
Cambodia, it also has the necessary diplomatic expertise and
knowledge in helping to bring about a peaceful resolution.</p><p>With the admission of the two new ASEAN members, Cambodia has
become the odd man out in the Southeast Asian community. That is
all the more reason for its neighbors to help the country get
back on its feet, so that the dream of a peaceful and prosperous
Southeast Asian community can be realized soon.</p>