On ASEAN road map
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