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.