ASEAN disappointed by absence of U.S., Chinese ministers at ARF

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is celebrating its 38th anniversary on Monday. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will deliver the 2005 ASEAN Lecture this morning. In conjunction with ASEAN DAY, The Jakarta Post's Veeramalla Anjaiah submitted written questions to ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yongon a range of issues. The following is the reply from Ong:

Question: Last month's ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) -- the only security forum in Asia -- was not attended by the foreign ministers of four powerful nations: U.S., China, Japan and India. Is it a sign that ASEAN is losing its importance? Answer: Ideally, all the 25 ministers should be present for the annual ARF Ministerial Meeting. However, each of the 25 participating countries in the ARF has national preoccupations.

For this year, Japan has to undertake urgent diplomacy because of its quest for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council while the Indian foreign minister was required to attend Parliament where questions on his country's external relations were tabled.

We are disappointed by the absence of Chinese and U.S. foreign ministers. They told us that their travel schedule prevented them from attending the ARF Ministerial Meeting in Vientiane. In fact, the Chinese foreign minister came for one day and met all the ASEAN foreign ministers individually and at the ASEAN Plus Three Ministerial Meeting.

It is not the first time the U.S. secretary of state has missed the ARF annual meeting. Indeed, when the ARF was inaugurated in 1994, then deputy secretary of state Strobe Talbot represented the U.S. There were other U.S. secretaries of state who skipped the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conferences and ARF Meetings. I do not want to make more speculation out of what happened this year. We will see what happens next year.

It is important to look at the bigger picture. We have 25 European countries represented at the ARF by the EU (European Union) representative. We have Russia and the rest of the key countries in Asia-Pacific and South Asia.

The ARF participants have substantive discussions on many challenges confronting the region. I have attended many ARF Meetings previously. I do not believe the quality of deliberations in Vientiane has been affected by the absence of four out of 25 ministers. All the ARF participating countries have reaffirmed the unique character and premier status of the ARF in dealing with political and security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Many people see Myanmar as a burden on ASEAN. As ASEAN chief how do you see the Myanmar issue?

Every regional and international organization has its share of burdens and challenges.

For ASEAN, Myanmar is only one of the many issues we have to deal with. You cannot see everything in this world in black and white terms.

We must recognize and accept the multiplicity of opinions and diversity of experiences. ASEAN's critics and detractors like to ridicule ASEAN's way of doing things. But we have managed our lives for 38 years already. There are difficulties in Myanmar and indeed, elsewhere in the ASEAN family.

We believe the way forward is for all to be at the same table and share in the good and not-so-good things in life. Myanmar is part of ASEAN and the rest of ASEAN will find the ways and means to realize ASEAN's goals without disrespect for the sovereignty, independence and unique characteristics of each of our member countries.

Previously, the concept of non-interference in internal affairs was the main strength of ASEAN. Given the rapid changes in the Southeast Asian political landscape in recent years, do you think the principle of non-interference is still relevant?

People outside ASEAN look at this principle of non- interference with amazement and amusement. They believe ASEAN is giving an excuse for not doing things they insist upon us. They are amused by how ASEAN has got out of tight corners.

In ASEAN, we consider ourselves a reasonably good policy driver with creative and innovative skills.

In the economic realm, the ASEAN Free Trade Area Agreement (AFTA) and several related agreements have opened up ASEAN's 10 economies to a step-by-step coordination and harmonization of policy and practice.

In the socio-cultural area, ASEAN's engagement with diverse groups and sharing of best practices are fostering an alignment of strategy to deal with challenges affecting our respective communities.

For the political and security arena, we are evolving toward a common understanding on management and resolution of potential threats to peace and security. It is impossible to explain all that ASEAN is doing now to show the amount of family concern over individual interest.

In essence, ASEAN is a family business and with each passing day, this branding is more ingrained and established as a collective enterprise.

What is ASEAN's main agenda for the coming year?

We are strengthening the foundation to compete effectively in the global economy. ASEAN does not want to become irrelevant in regional and international affairs. We believe ASEAN has established a significant branding.

ASEAN's size, disposition and future threaten no one. Our track record shows ASEAN's dexterity and sagacity.

We have many action plans and numerous agreements. We now need to implement them and make them serve the group's interests. Specifically, the ASEAN Community that rests on the three pillars of economic integration, socio-cultural development and political/security cooperation, can be realized earlier than later. We are not dreaming; we are determined to pleasantly surprise you.