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Thailand gives Asean new meanin 24-



Subject: Thailand gives Asean new meanin 24-9-99 The nation

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<tr><td width=30><td width=120></td><td width=300><font face="arial" size=4><b>Editorial
&amp; Opinion</font></b><font size=3> </font><br>
<font size=5><b>Thailand gives Asean new meaning<br>
</font></b><font size=3>IN the past, Thailand was active in a number of
multinational military operations overseas both with and without the
mandate of the United Nations. <br>
But unlike its previous roles in Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia and Iraq,
participation in the International Force for East Timor (Interfet) will
significantly lift Thailand to a higher ground in terms of international
morality, responsibility and credibility. In effect, Thailand can become
a new standard-bearer in Southeast Asia. <br>
The moral issue is clear. The world community did little to help East
Timorese over the past two decades. Asean in particular had been dictated
to by its non-interference principle and consequently prevented from
taking any action that might have helped to stop state-sponsored
atrocities and gross violations of human rights in Indonesia's 27th
province. <br>
In the historic UN-sponsored referendum, East Timorese voted
overwhelmingly for independence. However their will was not respected by
rogue elements in the Indonesian military and bureaucratic polity, which
continued to support pro-Jakarta militias in their campaign of terror
aimed at emptying East Timor of its people, kill off the political elite
and destroy basic infrastructure. <br>
It took the international community more than two weeks to wake from a
fitful slumber and embark on an ethical salvation. Albeit initially
reluctant, the United Nations Security Council resolved on Sept 15 to
authorise the multinational peace-keeping force to curb the humanitarian
crisis and end the bloodshed in East Timor. <br>
Thailand, which holds Asean's rotating presidency, took the chance and
made a bold step to fill a leadership vacuum in the regional grouping. To
its credit, Thailand has been seeking to rid Asean of its
non-interference principle by introducing new policy guidelines and
agendas for issues which previously had been considered purely ''domestic
and untouchable'' as far as other members were concerned. <br>
By offering to take a mediating role as part of an ''Asean troika'' in
Cambodia and joining the Australian-led peace-keeping mission in East
Timor, Thailand has been moving forward to materialise its argument that
Asean's adherence to the principle of non-interference does not
constitute an unconditional acceptance of brutality, political
suppression, lawlessness and suffering of the people. <br>
Both ''enhanced interaction'' and ''Vision 2020'' suggest that Asean will
no longer stand idle and ignore any domestic development that might
possibly destabilise the region or turn a member country into a
''political outcast'' in the international community. Equally important,
all devastating humanitarian crises at the heart of the region must now
be addressed and tackled quickly and effectively. <br>
Thailand feels that there has to be a sense of shared responsibility and
destiny among countries in the region and between governments and the
people. In this respect, the credibility of Asean will be seriously
damaged if it fails to show responsibility and helps to stop the violent
rampage in East Timor, or if it allows Indonesia to deny its obligations
for East Timor's peaceful transition to independence. <br>
As Thailand rightly pointed out at the Apec meeting, Asean lacks the
military strength and other resources to go solo in an operation to
rescue East Timor. But involvement by Asean's ''coalition of the
willing'' in Interfet confirms that Southeast Asian countries are still
able to identify and handle crises in their neighbourhood. Interestingly,
there is no conceptual paradox or prejudice over this issue. While a
guiding principle of non-interference is no longer absolute, Asean must
concede that a peace-keeping mission in East Timor was possible with the
mandate of the United Nations Security Council and consent from the
Indonesian government. <br>
Indonesian participation in the process to restore peace and order in
East Timor is required under the terms of the New York Agreement. But
even before Jakarta surrendered to international pressure, a
nationalistic campaign against foreign involvement was widely publicised.
Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada and Portugal are particularly
depicted as ''unfriendly'' to the people of Indonesia. <br>
The Asean contingent in Interfet is, therefore, highly important as a
means of reducing tension and hostility between Indonesia and the
incoming multinational troops. It is also a face-saving measure for
Indonesia. By having Thailand as second-in-command of the Australian-led
peace-keeping mission, Indonesians will be relieved that they are not
being humiliated or invaded by Western troops. Even better, the Thai
officer serving as deputy commander of Interfet was a former military
attache to Indonesia. <br>
It is wise to note that any operation of this kind is dangerous in
nature. But with a competent ''liaison'' and Asean's policy of
consultation and collaboration, it is now almost certain that the
peace-keeping mission in East Timor can move forward smoothly. <br>
The first batch of 31 soldiers from Thailand has already joined Interfet
and 1,500 more troops from elite units will follow next month. Although
the peace-keeping mission in East Timor is likely to be there or a long
time, Thailand and other Asean members must continue to be committed to
their initial decision that participation in Interfet is not only the
right thing to do but also serves the long-term interests of all
countries in Southeast Asia. <br>
Success or failure in assisting the birth of East Timor as an independent
entity in the international community will put morality and credibility
into the spotlight. It would be unwise for Thailand and Asean to step
away and slip back into the cosy world of non-interference. <br>
BY SUNAI PHASUK <br>
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Sunai Phasuk is a research fellow at the Institute of Asian Studies,
Chulalongkorn University.</td></tr>
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