Sanctions seen ineffective to improve human rights
Sanctions seen ineffective to improve human rights
BATAM, Riau (JP): Private sector representatives from the
United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
spoke out yesterday against the use of unilateral measures to
address human rights concerns.
In front of senior officials from the U.S. and ASEAN, the
representatives argued that economic sanctions and threats will
not achieve their desired objectives.
During a presentation of a joint position paper prepared by
the ASEAN-U.S. Business Council, American George David, president
of United Technologies Corporation, and Malaysian Tun Sri Azizan
Zainal Abidin, chairman of Petronas, said sanctions often fail to
bring about improvements in human rights and workers rights.
They maintained that human rights concerns are best served
through diplomatic channels both at the bilateral and
multilateral levels.
The business delegates voiced their opinions during the last
day of a two-day U.S.-ASEAN dialog. The first day of discussions
consisted mostly of political issues while today's meetings
focused on economic matters.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Co-chairing the meeting was Izhar Ibrahim, Director General of
Political Affairs at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
and Winston Lord, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia
and Pacific Affairs.
Lord later told journalists that he welcomed the candid and
valuable views of the private sector during the meeting but said
he was not surprised at their recommendations.
"The American business community -- and I think this is pretty
representative of the broader business community -- does not
agree on the whole with the kind of legislation you're referring
to," he said when asked to comment.
Washington recently adopted a law which threatens sanctions
against parties which have commercial dealings worth more than
US$40 million with Cuba, Iran and Libya.
ASEAN senior officials during the first day of the meeting on
Wednesday also expressed concern with the legislation and the
negative implications it could have on other countries.
ASEAN officials said the law does not conform to international
law and the rights of sovereign nations.
Lord said that while Washington persists in pursuing the most
peaceful means, sometimes national interests dictate the need for
strict measures.
"We of course try to solve issues, whether they're economic or
security, in the most cooperative manner possible. But there are
times when American national interest is involved and we have to
use other methods," he explained.
Another matter brought up was the lack of double taxation
treaties between the U.S. and many ASEAN countries.
Currently the U.S. only has treaties with Indonesia and the
Philippines.
The private sector representatives urged governments to place
the highest priority on forging double taxation treaties, which
they say will help promote American trade, investment and
technological transfers to ASEAN.
Lord later told journalists that the U.S. is currently working
on a taxation treaty with another ASEAN member.
"We've been working for sometime on a taxation treaty with
Thailand. Its been a major objective," he said.
Separately, ASEAN officials revealed that U.S. officials have
suggested the possibility of holding a U.S.-ASEAN dialog about
the automotive sector, involving both the government and the
private sector.
They said the dialog will likely be conducted under the U.S.-
ASEAN alliance for mutual growth.
The dialog would be aimed at helping create a better
understanding of developments in the automotive industry and
further boost the presence of U.S. automakers in the region.
Speaking about the overall atmosphere of the two-day U.S.-
ASEAN dialog, Izhar Ibrahim said deliberations were conducted in
a candid but friendly manner.
He maintained that despite a few disagreements, there were
many points on which the two sides saw eye to eye.
The next meeting is scheduled to be held in the United States
in 1997. (mds)