ASEAN to address transborder problems

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.