ASEAN conflict resolution mechanisms needed: RI
Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia, the current chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said there was a "crying need" for ASEAN countries to strengthen their conflict resolution mechanisms, including a regional peacekeeping force, given the unique array of security challenges they faced.
"Most conflicts in the world today are not between states but within states, and internal strife has a way of spilling over from the embattled country to the rest of the region," Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda told the participants of the 4th UN-ASEAN Conference on Tuesday in Jakarta.
To deal with these conflicts, ASEAN's response must be comprehensive, Hassan said.
"We have to begin developing regional peacekeeping arrangements and exploring the establishment of supporting institutions to facilitate efforts to settle conflict," he said.
The main theme of the two-day conference -- attended by representatives from the 10 ASEAN member countries, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and experts from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) -- was "Conflict Prevention, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding in Southeast Asia: ASEAN Security Community and the UN".
The ASEAN Security Community (ASC) concept was first proposed by Indonesia last October at the ninth ASEAN Summit in Bali. The ASC is one of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community, along with the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Sociocultural Community.
The delegates to the conference may submit suggestions and inputs for Indonesian officials to finalize the ASC draft and the establishment of a regional peacekeeping arrangement.
The other ASEAN members have not yet endorsed the peacekeeping force proposal, which is expected to be discussed formally in June at the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta.
Hassan also said that a regional peacekeeping arrangement would not exclude the possibility of participation from other international bodies such as the UN.
"We can benefit greatly from the UN's vast experience in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding," he said.
The cooperation between ASEAN and the UN, said Hassan, could and would mutually strengthen the organizations and would be the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership.
Meanwhile, Hadi Soesastro of the CSIS hailed the ASEAN peacekeeping force plan, saying it would be more effective in resolving intra-regional conflicts.
Currently, ASEAN member countries discuss security concerns on a bilateral or a trilateral basis.
ASEAN's members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.