ASEAN starts Countdown 2000 Clock

JAKARTA (JP): Association of Southeast Asian Nations secretary-general Rodolfo C Severino launched the "ASEAN Countdown 2000 Clock", marking the approach of the new millennium, at the ASEAN Secretariat building here yesterday.

"Two thousand is just another year. But like significant anniversaries in a person's life, like certain birthdays, a jubilee, a golden wedding anniversary, it is a benchmark for one's progress in life, an occasion to take stock of the past, a milestone to anticipate," Severino was quoted by Antara as saying in his address.

It is in this spirit that ASEAN looks at the approach of this new chapter in mankind's history as an occasion to recall the purposes for which ASEAN was founded, he added.

"As we approach the year 2000, there is much to hope for. The ASEAN Countdown Clock will be a constant reminder for us to keep moving towards the achievement of the ASEAN Vision 2020 which was launched last December," he said.

Taman Anggrek Mall in West Jakarta has provided a space for the main ASEAN clock in Jakarta where for the next 500 days until the new millennium various activities will be held. They include cultural exhibitions and seminars.

The first activity was launched last night with the opening of the ASEAN Gallery of paintings and photographs by Severino.

The gallery will display three art collections until the end of August. One of the collections was that of 50 paintings of the ASEAN Art Awards winning entries from 1994-1997.

Another collection was those of Poriaman Sitanggang, Enrico Soekarno and Non Hendratmo, while the last collection was 100 photographs of the "Eyes on ASEAN" collection of ASEAN peoples at work and at play, donated by Marina Mahathir.

ASEAN groups Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (swe)