Preparing for a bigger role

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