Test case for ASEAN

Test case for ASEAN

The tension straining the Philippines and Singapore ties
following the hanging of a Filipino maid seems to be mounting.

Hand grenades were exploded near the office of Singapore
Airlines in Manila and the Philippines' Foreign Ministry office.

On Saturday Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong wrote a
letter to President Fidel Ramos. Sources say that the letter was
a protest from Goh over the burning of Singaporean flags by
demonstrators in Manila.

If this is the only message in the letter then there is more
reason for concern as a crisis is imminent in the relations of
the two countries. If things get out of hand, an arm conflict is
not ruled out.

Hence, ASEAN intervention is badly needed. But if Goh and
Ramos exploit the issue for domestic political gains it will only
complicate the situation.

Nevertheless, it is time that other member countries of ASEAN
-- including Indonesia -- do something to prevent the
relationship from deteriorating further at this point of time.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta