Bangkok Declaration ready for leaders approval

Bangkok Declaration ready for leaders approval

By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat

BANGKOK (JP): Economic and foreign affairs ministers of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) yesterday
concluded their two-day meeting by adopting the Bangkok
Declaration, which will be signed by the heads of government on
Friday.

The director general for information from Thailand's foreign
affairs ministry, Suvidya Simaskul, yesterday confirmed the
ministers had agreed to adopt the draft Ministerial Report for
the heads of government and the Bangkok Declaration.

The heads of government, who are expected to arrive here
today, will hold their fifth summit tomorrow and on Friday.
President Soeharto, according to Minister/State Secretary
Moerdiono in Jakarta yesterday, is scheduled to leave Jakarta
today and his entourage will include Mrs. Tien Soeharto and
Moerdiono.

The Bangkok Declaration will cover four main issues: Political
and Security Cooperation, Economic Cooperation, Functional
Cooperation and External Relations.

He told The Jakarta Post that ministers had also been briefed
on the arrangements and procedures for the leaders during the
Summit meeting.

ASEAN was formed in 1967 as a socioeconomic organization
originally linking Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore and Thailand. Brunei joined the association in 1984,
followed by Vietnam earlier this year. Three other Southeast
Asian states -- Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar -- are scheduled to
join it in the next few years.

During the ministerial meeting, Indonesia was represented by
Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, Coordinating Minister of Production
and Distribution Hartarto and Minister for Industry and Trade
Tunky Ariwibowo.

Both Tunky and Hartarto refused to comment on yesterday's
meeting, noting that there were no contentious issues and that
the ministers had only referred to documents which would be
signed on Friday.

Separately, Simaskul told the Post that the main concern of
the ministers yesterday was to create a friendly environment for
the summit.

Delegates told the Post that as it presently stands, the
Bangkok Declaration will consist of at least 11 points.

In the declaration, the leaders urged the speedy realization
of an ASEAN comprising of all countries in Southeast Asia and
further confirmed their commitment to greater economic
integration.

Conflict

On political and security cooperation, the Bangkok Declaration
affirms ASEAN's commitment to seek a peaceful solution to the
conflicting claims in the South China Sea and to explore ways to
prevent conflicts.

They further called on non-Southeast Asian states to associate
themselves to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), which
remains the basis of amicable relations among ASEAN states.

The draft Declaration states ASEAN will actively participate
in an Asia-Europe summit meeting which is scheduled to take place
in Bangkok on March 1-2, 1996, to help build a new partnership of
growth between Asia and Europe.

On Functional Cooperation ASEAN leaders will express their
desire to advance their people's economic prosperity and social
well-being.

Furthermore, cultural and environmental concerns were also
addressed, the consensus being that ASEAN will preserve a dynamic
environment in line with both indigenous and modern values.

Other points brought up under the ASEAN functional cooperation
include the eradication of poverty, improving the quality of
life, maintenance of social justice, the strengthening of family
foundations along with the participation of women in all fields
of social activities.

On external relations, ASEAN reaffirmed the dialog process
initiated with various partners.

The draft declaration also promised that ASEAN would not
become introverted, maintaining an outward looking stance and
cooperation in a world which it recognizes to be increasingly
interdependent.

ASEAN -- Page 4