ASEAN to discuss ending policy of nonintervention

ASEAN to discuss ending policy of nonintervention

MANILA (AP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, based
since its start on non-interference in each others' internal
affairs, has matured and is ready to consider more direct
involvement and criticism, an official said yesterday.

"Times have changed. After 31 years we are now adults and we
should be able to discuss our problems frankly," Philippine
Secretary of Foreign Affairs Domingo Siazon said.

He said ASEAN foreign ministers, at a meeting this month in
Manila, will probably begin "a major change in ASEAN's policy
from non-intervention to a more pro-active policy of flexible
engagement."

The shift comes as Southeast Asian countries are becoming more
aware that problems in one nation -- such as currency
devaluations, political unrest or haze caused by forest fires --
often affect its neighbors.

"The realization that we are all together in the same boat is
becoming clear," Siazon said.

The policy shift would make it easier, for example, for ASEAN
members to talk to Indonesia about its forest fires, which each
year blanket much of the region in dangerous haze.

Siazon said the proposed change in the once-sacred non-
intervention policy will not be part of the formal agenda at the
foreign ministers' meeting, and is likely to be discussed instead
during informal events such as dinners or golf games.

The non-intervention policy has long been a sensitive issue
because of non-democratic governments in some ASEAN countries.
But Siazon noted that political and economic reforms are now
occurring in most ASEAN members.

The foreign ministers' meetings, which begin July 24, "will
most probably be a turning point in ASEAN's history," he said in
a briefing to reporters. "Today, all the countries in ASEAN are
in a state of change."

Siazon, Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan, and Malaysian
Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim have all called publicly for
ASEAN to shift to a more flexible engagement policy.

Siazon, however, said he does not expect an immediate
consensus from all nine ASEAN members.

ASEAN began to stretch its non-intervention policy last year
when it postponed Cambodia's bid for membership because of a coup
led by co-premier Hun Sen. Since then ASEAN has urged the
Cambodian government to normalize politics by holding elections,
which are scheduled for July 26 -- during the ASEAN meetings.

Siazon said the Philippines will push for an early acceptance
of Cambodia into ASEAN if the polls are shown to be "free, fair
and credible."

The foreign ministers also plan to discuss how the region
should deal with new countries attempting to develop nuclear
weapons, Siazon said.

ASEAN consists of Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.