Bringing UN closer to Southeast Asia region

Bringing UN closer to Southeast Asia region

By A.K.P. Mochtan

JAKARTA (JP): Southeast Asia is performing well. The region is
politically stable and cohesive despite many unresolved
territorial claims. New processes and fora are underway to
further ensure the creation of a predictable and constructive
politico-strategic environment. The most important feature of
these processes and fora is perhaps their inclusiveness: they
include all the major actors around the region.

Confidence building is up and running in Southeast Asia. Its
coverage is also significantly expanding, namely to include
defense and security areas. Interestingly, these processes and
activities are not confined to government officials, but closely
supported by an ever growing network of experts and scholars. Put
together, a secure community is in the making process in the
region.

ASEAN is at the very heart of this fascinating development.
The comprehensive settlement of the Cambodian conflict was one
crowning achievement that confirmed the association's standing as
a credible regional organization.

ASEAN's more recent initiatives, such as the enlargement of
its members, declaration of the Zone of Peace, Freedom and
Neutrality (ZOPFAN), the creation and expansion of the ASEAN
Regional Forum (ARF), and the holding of formal and informal
summits of Southeast Asian leaders, testify the association's
strength in preventive diplomacy and cooperative security. Albeit
gradual, we can expect ASEAN to be the centerpiece in the
creation of a peace building regime in Southeast Asia.

Throughout this, the role of the UN -- the main advocate of
these concepts -- is non-existent. New York and Geneva are
distant from Southeast Asian capitals, making the UN's presence
illusive. When the UN does make its presence felt, it is almost
always on the "wrong issue" and for the "wrong reason".

The UN's insistence to monitor human rights in Cambodia,
Myanmar and Indonesia is a case in point. Human rights principles
are universal and it is undeniable the aforementioned Southeast
Asian countries are in urgent need to improve their human rights
record. The critical question is to work out a constructive
arrangement, without being intrusive.

The UN fails to do this. For various reasons -- most of which
are political -- the UN chooses to be assertive, attempting to
impose different standards and practices. Such a situation leads
to uneasy relations. Coupled with the absence of a political role
and involvement in the region, the UN is integrated very poorly
in the Southeast Asian political realities.

At fault is the vague Chapter VIII of the UN Charter. A
precise definition for a formal pattern of relations between the
UN and regional organizations was deliberately avoided in light
of the different character, mandate and capacity of each regional
organization. In July 1992, through An Agenda for Peace (AFP),
the-then Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali sought the
possibility for more focused relations. But to date, there has
been no concrete follow up beyond the AFP, including on UN-ASEAN
relations.

The UN could be more actively involved in Southeast Asian
politico-strategic processes and activities in several ways. To
start with, it could ask to have its representative observe the
ASEAN and/or ARF meetings. A more permanent form of relations may
be established if the UN endeavors to become ASEAN's dialog or
consultative partner. It is essential that the UN become involved
in political consultation and dialogs in Southeast Asia.

Another potential area of concrete cooperation is
peacekeeping. ASEAN and its ARF partners are contemplating the
idea of promoting cooperation in peacekeeping operations,
including the possibility of establishing a peacekeeping center.
Not only will such a joint action help prepare national
contingents, but it is also expected to further facilitate
confidence building measures and regional security cooperation.

The UN is the undisputed leader in this area. It has many
things to offer to ASEAN and its ARF partners. This will not only
ensure a good standard. More importantly, the collaboration could
lead to useful practical applications during actual operations,
including coordination between UNHQ and the national contingents
in the field.

The appointment of the new UN secretary-general provides a
timely opportunity to enhance UN-ASEAN cooperation and bring the
UN closer to Southeast Asian politico-strategic realities. Senior
UN officials should not confine themselves to office politics in
New York and Geneva or undertake trips outside these towns
because of crises. They should be involved in the early process
of drafting peace and security itself, directly participating in
regional dialogs and other initiatives. Through this action, the
UN has a much better chance to be recognized as a constructive
partner.

The writer is an analyst at the Centre for Strategic and
International Studies.