Patience needed for ASEAN expansion

Patience needed for ASEAN expansion

Thus far, ASEAN's regional stability has been secure because
each of its members has been able to maintain its own national
stability, while avoiding conflicts with other members by
encouraging cooperation. The current armed conflict in Cambodia,
which threatens to develop into a full-scale civil war,
demonstrates that for the present that country is unable to
sustain its national stability. The prevailing political crisis
in Myanmar indicates that the national stability of this
prospective ASEAN member is still unstable.

If admitted as ASEAN members, the precarious situation in
these countries would be a threat to ASEAN's regional stability.
It is therefore appropriate that Cambodia -- and also Laos and
Myanmar -- demonstrate their ability to sustain their stability.

ASEAN's achievements have been most impressive and should be
fostered further. It needs time and patience to realize the
ambition of including all the countries of Southeast Asia in
ASEAN's fold.

-- Surabaya Post