ASEAN to address transborder problems

By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat

BANGKOK (JP): Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed on Monday to the establishment of an ASEAN Troika, a rapid reaction ad hoc committee to deal with transborder problems occurring between members states.

The Troika, initially proposed during last year's ASEAN informal summit, would answer the challenges of increased interdependency in the region and the problems arising as a result.

"We agreed that the chair should be given more latitude, more room for creativity in carrying out his mandate on behalf of the ASEAN foreign ministers," Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan, who chaired the ASEAN meetings, said.

The consensus on the establishment of the Troika was reached during the ministerial retreat, a closed-door informal gathering of the ministers which has now become a feature of the annual two-day ministerial meeting.

"The (ASEAN) chair could take exploratory steps on some issues, he would consult, he would communicate, he could ask for the convening on an emergency basis of the ASEAN foreign ministers," Surin said.

Formed in 1967 the 10-member grouping -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- has often been criticized for its inability to tackle cross-border problems if a member state considered the matter to be a domestic issue.

The formation of the Troika would, in effect, answer these challenges without compromising ASEAN's cardinal principle of non-intervention.

Under the draft terms the Troika would comprise the past, present and future ASEAN chairmen. The ASEAN chair is rotated annually among members.

However, as an organization which still works on consensus, questions remain on whether the Troika can actually "explore" an issue if one of the member states considers it to be a domestic affair.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab said during the retreat that ministers recognized the need to enhance interaction among themselves so as to resolve these issues.

He stressed that the Troika should not become an institutionalized body in order for it to work more effectively.

Alwi further highlighted that the Troika as an adhoc body further points to great progress through informal ASEAN mechanisms and gatherings.

"ASEAN should reduce these formalities which often hinge on diplomatic jargon. In informal sessions many people don't hear what is being done, but actually much can be achieved," he remarked.

Should a problem which is deemed to effect the region arise, the ASEAN chair can call for a Troika, after which an emergency gathering of the 10 ASEAN foreign ministers can also be convened.

"If there is a pressing problem, we can assemble like the UN Security Council," Alwi said.

He further stressed that in an informal gathering and by having greater interaction, member states can talk in a candid and open manner.

"We don't just want to have politeness, or the Eastern way of smiling and saying everything is fine while in reality there are certain sensitivities".

"Let's thoroughly resolve it, and, if we can't, at least we'll know precisely what our respective positions are," he said.

Alwi even suggested that each ASEAN foreign minister has their own "hotline" mobile phone so they can immediately contact each other if a problem arises.

The apparent understanding to talk more openly about politically sensitive issues received an elated response from Surin who described Monday's retreat as "splendid".

"We opened up, we were candid, we were at ease, we were extremely honest with each other. Particularly the problems and the challenges facing us," he said.

"We agreed that within ASEAN we need to have more interaction, more exchanges, more informal gatherings, more communication," he explained using the term "full-circle hotline".

However, officials here said that no specific example or potential issue where the Troika would be needed was discussed during the gathering.

The ministers will close their formal sessions on Tuesday by issuing a joint statement.

On Wednesday the ASEAN Foreign Ministers will meet with their counterparts from China, Japan and South Korea.

This will be followed by a one-day meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum, an informal discussion on security and political issues which will be participated in by, among others, the United States and the European Union.

Alwi Shihab however may not attend these two important meetings as sources said he will fly back to Indonesia to attend the final leg of the National Awakening Party's congress as he is one of the favorites to become the party's chairman.

He may fly back to Bangkok on Thursday or Friday for the final round of meetings of the Post-ministerial Conferences.

On Monday evening, Alwi also held bilateral talks with Philippines Foreign Minister Domingo L. Siazon.

"We also discussed Indonesia's role as head of the Commission of Six of the Organization of Islamic Conferences. I asked when we can go there as part of a fact-finding mission," Alwi said.

Indonesia, on behalf of the OIC, has been helping to broker a peace deal with Islamic groups in the southern Philippines which have demanded their own autonomous status.