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)