ASEAN Glosses Over Flexible Engagem

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ASEAN glosses over 'flexible engagement' controversy

 .c Kyodo News Service    

MANILA, July 25 (Kyodo) - By: Susanne Ganz Foreign ministers of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) put up a demonstration of
harmony Saturday as they ended two days of talks dominated by unusually strong
public discord over a proposed new ''flexible engagement'' approach. 

''These controversies have been laid to rest. We are now clearly of one mind,
resolute and united,'' Singapore's Foreign Minister Shanmugam Jayakumar said
in his closing remarks. 

Philippine Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon, a supporter of more candid talks
among the group, while dismissing the controversy as ''a philosophical
debate,'' made another push for the flexible engagement idea saying ''trying
times call for courageous thinking.'' 

''And greater openness is a boon to our common efforts.'' 

''The basic principles of nonintervention and decision-making by consensus
would remain the cornerstones of ASEAN,'' said Jayakumar, who adamantly
opposed any changes to the 31-year-old group's nonconfrontational way of
dealing. 

The minister argued sticking to time-tested principles is even more important
amid the severe regional economic crisis that is putting strains on existing
arrangements and has increased the potential for tension. 

Given that Jayakumar will succeed Siazon as the ministers' chairman next week,
it seems unlikely the flexible engagement idea will get much prominence in the
coming year. 

Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan had suggested members openly comment on
each other's internal affairs to nip problems before they spill into
neighboring countries or develop into full-blown regional crises. 

The proposal set off sparks even before the ministers entered their talks and
translated into a marathon discussion overnight Thursday. 

Indonesia, which would have to fear criticism over its frequent crackdowns on
independence activists in occupied East Timor, and Malaysia attacked the new
approach. 

ASEAN also groups Brunei, Laos, Vietnam and militarily-ruled Myanmar, under
fire from the West for human rights violations, drug production and
suppression of the democratically election National League for Democracy
(NLD). 

At a news conference, Siazon said the group's sacred principle of
noninterference remains in place, but there is ''growing acceptance in ASEAN
to discuss each other's problems.'' 

''I think this is a good sign.'' 

Regardless of the rejection of a more proactive approach for the entire group,
Siazon reiterated the Philippines will practice as national policy open
comment on human rights and democracy. 

''This is how we intend to behave...each country must decide by itself where
to draw the fine line between what is possible and what not,'' he said. 

During their talks, the ministers agreed on ''enhanced interaction'' on
matters affecting neighbors and the region such as drug trafficking, haze and
terrorism, but have yet to come up with a clear definition of what constitutes
''transboundary'' issues. 

Siazon said a coup d'etat and violence sparking refugee waves would clearly
fall into that realm. 

An ASEAN-based human rights group blasted the ministers for shooting down
Surin's proposal, saying the group is in danger of turning into a club of
''fossilized golf players'' oblivious to new developments. 

''Instead of taking a proactive role to directly solve human crises in the
region, governments have tended to politely ignore the mess and leave it up to
others to clean up,'' said Debbie Stothard, coordinator for the Alternative
ASEAN Network on Burma (Myanmar). 

Controversy is expected to flare up again when ASEAN meets with 10 major
security and trade partners, including vocal Myanmar critics the United States
and the European Union, next week. 

Earlier in the day, the ministers signed a declaration seeking to eradicate
illicit drugs from the region by 2020. They also signed a protocol that
enables nonmembers to join the group's core Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. 

''We have invited non-ASEAN states to accede to the treaty and, with us, work
for and share in the peace and friendship in Southeast Asia,'' Siazon said at
the signing ceremony. 

In a joint communique, they ''deplored'' the recent nuclear tests by India and
Pakistan, but refrained from mentioning the countries by name. 

They also urged Japan to ''expedite'' the implementation of its latest fiscal
stimulus package and financial sector reforms to lead the crisis-battered
region into recovery. 

AP-NY-07-25-98 0904EDT