On ASEAN road map
These few weeks have seen leaders of Associaion of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) intensifying efforts at strengthening their association's cohesion in terms of trade and services against the onslaught of trade globalization on one hand and the internal and external menace from terrorism in its various manifestations, on the other.
If ever a kind of ASEAN free trade zone will come into effect, it should not be allowed to lead to a sharpening in the gaps of economic growth among the potentially rich and poor members of the association and cause the disenchantment of the citizens of ASEAN as we witnessed following the WTO meeting at Cancun, Mexico.
On the surface, fortunately, there is within ASEAN no issue of subsidized farmers or industries except perhaps in the form of excessive bank credits but so far no protest is heard about it. At any rate, it is imperative that ASEAN leaders should close the welfare gap, if there is any, among its citizens in the long run, seen or unseen. We know that most Singaporeans, for instance, own a house and a car.
But how about ASEAN citizens living in Vietnam and Indonesia? Have they enough to eat everyday? ASEAN resilience should be based on the standards of welfare of its common citizens so does its defense against terrorism not primarily on joint military approach nor on its joint intelligence gathering.
The acquisition by Malaysia and Indonesia of the Soviet-made Sukhoi war planes has undoubtedly boosted the defense capabilities of the ASEAN nations against any foreign intruders of its air space, however terrorists are more dangerous on land and at sea.
ASEAN was set up about thirty years ago as a bulwark against undemocratic movements, notably against the spreading of communist ideology during the East -- the Cold War period. Any country unwilling to acknowledge the need for democratic reforms should therefore be barred for joining the association. Therefore, the membership of Myanmar, which is still detaining Aung San Suu Kyi for defending her democratic principles, should be suspended for the time being. Until and unless ASEAN citizens are guaranteed their democratic rights, ASEAN will remain vulnerable to outside subversion and terrorist activities.
ASEAN leaders should always remember that the fight against extreme movements, communist ideology or against internal and external terror has to be executed within the framework of eradicating poverty and bringing minimum welfare to the common citizens of ASEAN.
Religious extremism or fanaticism may be the root causes for terrorists to initiate mischievous attacks on unprotected objects but poverty and sharply contrasting social conditions are certainly contributing factors to such bestial practices.
GANDHI SUKARDI Jakarta