Summit heralds united region

Summit heralds united region

By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat

BANGKOK (JP): In an unprecedented event, leaders of the 10 nations in the region gathered here yesterday to map out the beginnings of a united Southeast Asia.

Though brief, the meeting at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel was a milestone in the region's history with many pointing to it as the embryo of a united Southeast Asia under ASEAN.

The meeting brought together leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) -- Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesia's President Soeharto, Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Philippines' President Fidel Ramos, Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, Thailand's Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-Archa and Vietnam's Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet with non-ASEAN members in the region such as Cambodian joint Prime Ministers Norodom Ranariddh and Hun Sen, Laotian Prime Minister Khamtay Siphandone and Myanmarese Prime Minister Than Shwe.

"The close rapport and understanding we established has paved the way for the early realization of our vision of the ASEAN community of 10 nations," said Goh Chok Tong of the meeting.

As Laos' Khamtay Siphandone said, the dynamic growth of the region was achieved thanks to ASEAN's ability to avoid misunderstandings and boost cooperation.

It is expected that these three nations will become ASEAN members by the end of the decade.

Banharn also said the meeting with the CLM, the popular term for Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), would help accelerate the vision set by ASEAN's founders.

"I warmly welcome the goodwill and seriousness the three countries have demonstrated towards ASEAN," Banharn said.

Though nothing tangible came out of the meeting, by all accounts it helped to create better understanding and underline the commitment and spirit of ASEAN to help CLM.

The heads of government of the 10 nations agreed that to achieve a prosperous Southeast Asia the most appropriate approach is to boost economic linkages and develop interdependence among all nations in the region.

Realizing the momentum created by this meeting, the leaders identified the main objectives for cooperation.

The first is to strengthen the feeling of unity by involving the CLM in more ASEAN activities along with the sharing of experience and knowledge through various collaborations such as exchange programs, training and research.

The ASEAN leaders also stressed the importance of facilitating the CLM's transition into market economies to help hasten economic growth and development.

Furthermore, as future members of ASEAN, the CLM must be prepared to enter the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).

According to Goh Chok Tong, the CLM could face difficulties in meeting the requirements of AFTA. "They will also face difficulty in discharging their manifold obligations within ASEAN including AFTA," he said.

To boost economic growth, Goh proposed ASEAN-sponsored measures to help development in the Mekong Basin.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas told journalists that the heads of state had reached an agreement to help develop the countries in the Mekong Basin: China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Despite the apparent enthusiasm yesterday, there was still confusion whether the CLM countries would be invited to ASEAN's informal Summit in Indonesia next year.

While Alatas said CLM's participation would still need further consultation, Malaysia's Mahathir said he had little doubt the three countries would be present for the informal summit.