ASEAN : Leave Well Enough Alone

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

                                        ASEAN :  Leave Well Enough Alone

                                                  (by M. Eastman)

Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan
has proposed that ASEAN depart from its
fundamental policy of non-interference in the
internal affairs of member states.  The proposal
is anathema to the regional grouping.



	
	Thailand's Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan has proposed that the Association
of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) change its traditional policy of non-
interference in each other's affairs.  

	Surin's initiative termed, "Flexible Engagement' is supposed to serve as an
early-warning system for ASEAN members of the "gravity of certain
domestically-generated transnational or international problems," according to
his deputy, Sukhumbhad Paribatra.  The Thai proposal  is being considered by
the ASEAN Foreign Ministers at their Meeting in Manila this week.  However, it
is certain that the proposal which tantamounts to tinkling with the very
principles on which the association is founded will be roundly rejected.

	It is one thing  for Thailand to actively search for ways and means to
overcome problems such as narcotics trafficking and the haze and smoke problem
that transcend national boundaries  but  quite another to suggest that ASEAN
members be able to intervene in each other's domestic affairs.  

	Obviously, Thailand has not considered fully the ramifications of its
proposal.First and foremost no nation can accept any measure that curtails its
sovereignty.  The right to fashion one's own destiny is sacrosanct  and will
always be guarded jealously.  Nothing contained in the Bangkok Declaration
made 31 years ago at the founding of ASEAN, authorizes the association to
intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of
member states.  That ASEAN has blossomed into a successful regional grouping
of 9 nations- soon to be 10 when Cambodia comes on board - is due in no small
measure to the fact that the cardinal principle of non-intervention in
internal affairs has always been scrupulously observed.  
	
	In its 31 years of existence ASEAN has remained strong and united because it
has never deviated from its aims and purposes:

	-	to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development
in the region through joint
           endeavours in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to
strengthen the foundation for a prosperous
           and peaceful community of South-East Asian Nations;

	-	to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice
and the rule of law in the
           relationship among countries of the region and adherence to the
principles of the United Nations Charter;

	-	to promote active collaboration and mutual assistance on matters of common
interest in the economic,
           social, cultural, technical, scientific and administrative fields;

	-	to provide assistance to each other in the form of training and research
facilities in the educational,
           professional, technical and administrative spheres;

	-	to collaborate more effectively for the greater utilization of their
agriculture and industries, the expansion of
            their trade, including the study of the	problems of international
commodity trade, the improvement of their		transportation and communications
facilities and the raising of the living standards of their peoples;

	-	to promote South-East Asian studies;

	-	to maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing
international	and regional organizations with
           similar aims and purposes, and explore all avenues for even closer
cooperation among themselves.

	Secondly, it should be noted that Southeast Asia is currently buffeted by a
financial crisis and needs to work together to overcome adversity.  This is no
easy challenge given the ethnic, religious and historical differences that
must be overcome.  ASEAN's record of promoting peace and prosperity in the
region would suffer an irreparable blow if Thailand's controversial proposal
was to be adopted.  At this critical juncture, nothing should be done to rock
the boat.  In fact every endeavour must be made to foster greater confidence
among member states.

	Thirdly, it should be realized  that the creation of regional groupings, such
as the ASEAN, demands extraordinary vision, diplomatic skills and
statesmanship.  A history of strife and rivalry requires even greater care to
ensure that once created the organization thrives.
	
	 "Flexible Engagement" is an ill-considered proposal that deserves to be
shelved before it erodes confidence among ASEAN members.  

	Notwithstanding its shortcomings, ASEAN has been a success story.  Leave well
enough alone before ASEAN is turned into a house of babel ! 



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