Myanmar becomes ASEAN observer

JAKARTA (JP): Myanmar took one step closer to becoming a member of the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) yesterday as it was inducted as an observer of the seven-member organization.

Myanmar's admission came in the midst of intense Western criticism over Yangon's human rights record.

The ceremony was led by Indonesia's Ali Alatas, who spoke on behalf of the other six ASEAN ministers seated in a line of rattan armchairs on one side, with the Myanmar delegation on the other.

Alatas noted that Myanmar has been making earnest endeavors to prepare itself for eventual full membership in the ASEAN by the turn of the century.

"It is my hope -- which is shared by all members of ASEAN -- that not too long from now, we shall be welcoming Myanmar again, not as an observer but as a member," Alatas added.

ASEAN comprises of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Myanmar, sometime in the near future, is expected to follow in the footsteps of current observers Cambodia and Laos, who are expected to join ASEAN next year.

"Every step, therefore, that Myanmar takes toward full membership in ASEAN is also a step toward the fulfillment of that vision," Alatas said of the founding fathers' dream of a united Southeast Asia.

Myanmar's Foreign Minister, Ohn Gyaw, thanked the seven ASEAN foreign ministers for their "unanimous support" in accepting the country as an observer and reaffirmed his country's strong desire to integrate itself with the association.

Myanmar continues to remain in the glare of Western criticism for its alleged repression of human rights activists. ASEAN has also disregarded Western calls and maintained a policy of constructive engagement towards Yangon.

Myanmarese pro-democracy activist and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has written a letter to ASEAN heads of state ahead of the ASEAN ministerial meeting calling for economic sanctions against her country as a means of encouraging political changes.

Later yesterday afternoon, ASEAN ministers, at the start of their two-day meeting, highlighted a number of regional and global issues as well as various administrative matters of the organization.

Singapore Foreign Minister S. Jayakumar, at the opening ceremony, asserted the need for ASEAN to intensify efforts to get dialog partners to sign the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty.

Similarly, Alatas said: "We should now exert our best efforts to ensure the treaty's early entry into force."

He added that since the treaty does not undermine the security policies of nuclear weapon states, there is no reason they should not accede to its protocol.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Badawi said ASEAN states themselves must not delay the ratification of the treaty: "We must not let outsiders draw wedges through ASEAN on account of their own problems."

Philippine Foreign Minister Domingo L. Siazon, apart from further stressing the importance of the nuclear free zone treaty also focussed on the potential hazards of the overlapping claims in the South China Sea.

He described it as "a prominent obstacle" to the realization of ASEAN's zone of peace, friendship and neutrality.

"We urge all to refrain from acts that would raise tensions in the region and induce a sense of apprehension among neighboring countries," Siazon said.

The Philippines -- along with Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam -- are the four ASEAN members directly involved in the disputes, which also includes China and Taiwan.

The issue of ASEAN's dialog partners also became a topic in the opening statements and the proceeding meeting.

Jayakumar, in his address, said that while ASEAN must take it as a complement that so many countries are and want to become dialog partners, it also adds increased responsibility to ASEAN.

"To cope with these responsibilities, ASEAN may need a period of consolidation," he said.

At the end of yesterday's meeting, Alatas, without elaborating, told journalists that the ministers had an exchange of views concerning a new criterion for ARF membership.

He also said the meeting had adopted the annual report of the ASEAN Standing Committee, the Senior Officials Meeting, the Secretary-General and the 1996/97 secretariat budget.

Other items agreed upon yesterday included discussion on an expert group meeting concerning the Mekong Basin Development Project.

Ministers will end their meeting today with a Joint Communique. (pwn/rid/mds)

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