Myanmar and ASEAN's goodwill

V.K. Chin, The Star, Asia News Network/Selangor, Malaysia

Every ASEAN summit can be regarded as useful as it enables its 10 leaders to air their views and to spell out their intentions on how to make the regional grouping more effective.

However, the real success of such meetings could only be described as fruitful if all the proposals contained in the joint declaration are implemented for the benefit of its citizens.

It is only when this target has been met could such a meeting be deemed successful. Good proposals will always look and sound nice on paper but they should be translated into action quickly if they are to benefit the people.

Much more needs to be done to advance regional cooperation, especially when it comes to trade, investment and tourism. ASEAN has been quite impressive mainly in dealing with political and diplomatic issues.

It has managed to resolve many of its internal problems and to defuse situations before they get out of control. But what is important is that the grouping must be genuine in its unity and purpose.

Members should try to minimize any untoward issues which could affect bilateral relations. They must be strong internally before they can act in concert to face any external challenge.

They must think as one instead of many so that their actions do not jeopardize the interests of their neighbors. They must also not allow the stubbornness of one member put others in a difficult situation.

It is for this reason that Myanmar has to be told to expedite the release of its political prisoners, which was a sticking point between ASEAN and the rest of the world, particularly the European Union, the United States and Australia.

To show its seriousness for Myanmar to make democratic changes, ASEAN took the unusual step of breaching its non- interference stance to urge its recalcitrant member do what was necessary to put things right.

Otherwise, the grouping may be forced to take action that might put Myanmar in a tighter spot than it is now in. The grouping cannot keep on defending the military regime, which must show some goodwill in return for the support from its ASEAN counterparts.

The grouping will expect Myanmar to start releasing its political prisoners without further delay and to work out a program to introduce a timetable for democratic reforms, such as free elections.

This is the minimum that the other ASEAN members require Myanmar to do. The grouping is also realistic that elections cannot be held immediately but it should be within a reasonable time frame.

It cannot remain a hurdle to good relations between ASEAN and the rest of the world. It has run out of goodwill and excuses and it will need to change its ways or face the consequences.