Preparing for a bigger role
Today (Tuesday, Aug. 8) ASEAN enters its 28th year of existence. When it was formed on Aug. 8, 1967, the world was living in a Cold War atmosphere. The strongest bond at that time -- although never explicitly stated -- was a common sense of belonging in the face of the communist threat represented by Vietnam and the People's Republic of China. The possibility of Vietnam coming under a communist regime aroused fear among the non-communist countries of Southeast Asia. Although rejected by many, the domino theory nevertheless had its influence on these countries' attitude. ASEAN was formed as a balancing force to offset the communist block and preserve the equilibrium in the Asian region.
The end of the Cold War augured by the signing of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty on July 31, 1991, in Moscow, put ASEAN at the doorstep of a difficult new era. In Europe the end of the Cold War expedited the efforts to come to a joint security arrangement, and the Conference for Security and Cooperation in Europe was established. The conflicts that broke out in the former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia were successfully localized. The situation prevailing in the Asia-Pacific region was different. Here, the big powers such as the United States, the People's Republic of China, Russia and Japan were present and their interests often clashed, not only in the economic sphere but also with regard to their boundaries. In such a situation, even local conflict contained the potential of inviting big power intervention.
Confronted with such a situation, the countries of Southeast Asia found themselves assuming a very significant role as guardians of the stability in the Asia-Pacific region. In order to be able to perform this role effectively ASEAN will have to invite the countries of Indochina (Vietnam. Cambodia, Laos) and Myanmar to become members of ASEAN. Vietnam was accepted during the Ministers Meeting in Brunei Darussalam at the end of last month as ASEAN's seventh member. Myanmar and Cambodia are expected to also join ASEAN before long. With all the countries of Southeast Asia joining, it will be easier for ASEAN to resolve local conflict that could endanger regional stability.
-- Suara Karya, Jakarta