Working towards a greater ASEAN in the 21st century

Working towards a greater ASEAN in the 21st century

By Rita Patiyasevi

BANGKOK: Despite international recognition as one of the most
important regional organizations in the world, the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has yet to become a household
name among its own people.

The political will of member countries to cooperate and
promote in what is hoped will contribute to regional peace and
prosperity has earned it recognition and support from individual
countries, as well as the United Nations.

Way back in 1979, ASEAN received the prestigious Magsaysay
Award for its contribution and success in instilling the spirit
of cooperation, friendship and goodwill among ASEAN members and
between ASEAN and other countries in the region.

But in spite of international acclaim, ASEAN leaders have yet
to make their own people fully realize the meaning of the
deliberations that led to the group's founding in 1967.

The success of the annual meeting last month in Brunei, where
Vietnam formally became ASEAN's seventh member, where Myanmar
made known its accession to the 1976 Treaty of Amity and
Cooperation, and where Cambodia and Laos indicated a time frame
for their planned entry into the grouping, has given additional
impetus to the organization.

ASEAN leaders realize that more participation from people in
the grassroots level will bring profound changes to the region.

During the 28th ASEAN meeting last month, Thai Foreign
Minister Kasem S Kasemsri stressed the need to forge a common
political culture to ensure ASEAN's success.

He had proposed the setting up of a "regional parliament or
council" to be drawn from various groups, including political
parties, parliamentary groups such as the ASEAN Inter-
Parliamentary Organization, media and business organizations, as
well as grassroots movements.

He also believes that the idea of broadening participation in
ASEAN by people from all walks of life "would give ASEAN a moral
force and cohesiveness, strengthen its fabric and enable it to
participate in other discussions".

With the fifth ASEAN summit to be hosted by Thailand in
December, much thought has been given to the theme Towards One
Southeast Asia... Thinking a new ASEAN.

Bearing in mind the challenge to realize regional peace and
prosperity by the turn of the century, ASEAN think tanks gathered
here recently to discuss inputs for consideration by the "Bangkok
Declaration".

Indonesian Center of Strategic and International Studies
chairman Jusuf Wanandi said Thailand's idea of having a
consultative assembly will be further developed by academics.

The ASEAN-Institute of Strategic and International Studies
(ASEAN-ISIS), a non government organization, has provided useful
ideas and proposals for political and security cooperation since
its establishment in 1988.

Though more discussions by ASEAN-ISIS will be conducted before
final suggestions are made for the "Bangkok Declaration", the
main points to be included in the declaration would contain a
Plan of Cooperation/Action in social, political and economic
fields.

Sarasin Viraphol, director general of the Foreign Ministry's
department of American and South Pacific Affairs, said that while
the concept of a parliament or consultative body may not
materialize at the Bangkok summit, the suggestion of such an idea
was important to Southeast Asia as an expanded ASEAN is expected
in 2000.

The idea is expected to be included in the "Bangkok
Declaration."

One important event at the ASEAN summit will be the signing of
the Southeast Asian Nations Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty that
will declare the region as a nuclear free zone.

Sarasin said ASEAN officials are trying to get the treaty
ready for signature.

Expected to be signed in December, the treaty is timely in
light of continued nuclear testing by France and China, and
reaffirm's ASEAN's support for the nonproliferation treaty of
nuclear weapons and the conclusion of the comprehensive test ban
treaty next year.

While discussions on what would be included in the "Bangkok
Declaration" are still going on, certain statements will be
adopted from previous declarations to reiterate and remind
ASEAN's members of the principles laid down by its founders.

Statements covering the promotion of economic cooperation,
establishment of the ASEAN Development Cooperation Program for
Southeast Asia, setting up of the ASEAN University, as well as
poverty elevation, will be reintegrated to remind ASEAN
governments of their responsibilities.

The fifth ASEAN meeting should prepare the grouping for the
entry of three more countries into its fold. That is why there is
an emphasis on the theme Towards one Southeast Asia .. Thinking a
new ASEAN.

ASEAN-ISIS had also proposed that in order to cope with new
changes and prepare for the incorporation of all 10 countries,
ASEAN would need to review its role and function and enhance its
organizational efficiency.

They suggested various ways of increasing the efficiency of
the ASEAN secretariat. On the issue of the ASEAN Free Trade Area,
while member countries had originally agreed that the ideal
reduction of tariff should be from 0 to 5 percent by 2003,
Vietnam will be allowed a moratorium of at least 6 percent,
although the period could be shortened as suggested by Brunei.

ASEAN's role will be more prominent in the multilateral
trading system, especially in relation to APEC. ASEAN's private
sector will be encouraged to play a bigger role in bringing
customs harmonization.

To create an ASEAN identity, the establishment of an ASEAN
University will be encouraged. There is also a proposal for media
to participate and increase its role in the region. To foster an
ASEAN identity, academics suggested that practical measures, such
as having immigration lanes at airports, could be adopted, and
exchange programs, sports and cultural activities be promoted.

The ASEAN-ISIS proposal is a recommendation on how ASEAN can
respond to some of the challenges in order to achieve a more
optimal output.

-- The Nation