* Introduction
* History of ASEAN
* Economical Aspect
* Ecological Aspect
* Terror in Southeast Asia
* Conclusion
* References
Introduction
ASEAN consist
of l0 out of 11 countries in Southeast Asia. It is interesting how ASEAN can
make an impact to countries in Southeast Asia. In this paper, I aim to discuss
about its relevance towards Southeast Asia. Starting with a brief overview of
its history, I move on to look at how ASEAN benefited Southeast Asia. I
emphasize on three major aspects that I feel are most important. They are the
economical, ecological and international security in Southeast Asia.
History
The awakening of ASEAN
ASEAN was officially
established by five core countries on 8th Aug 1967[1].
The Foreign Ministers of the five respective countries were known as the “Founding
Fathers of ASEAN”. They are Adam Malik of Indonesia, Narciso R. Ramos of the
Philippines, Tun Abdul Razak of Malaysia, S. Rajaratnam of Singapore and Thanat
Khoman of Thailand. The signing of the papers took place in the main hall of
the Department of Foreign Affairs building in Bangkok, Thailand.
Reasons for the formation of ASEAN
The objective of this integration
was to promote peace and stability in the region[2]. ASEAN acts as a centralized body to make important
decisions and maintain control of the region. At that time, Southeast Asia was
still rather undeveloped and unstructured. Many of the countries were dwelled
by internal conflicts and war. Territorial disputes and racial tensions between
neighboring countries were inevitable. ASEAN’s early aims were to promote
social growth, enhance cultural development and accelerate economic expansion
in Southeast Asia.
Another motivating factor
for the formation of ASEAN was to contain the spread of communism. At that
period of time, China was under the rule of Chairman Mao[3]
and he had openly adopted a policy to export revolutions to Southeast Asia. He
also supported a number of local insurgency movements led by the communist
parties in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The
formation of ASEAN brings many benefits to Southeast Asia
Objective of ASEAN
The key objective of ASEAN
was to enhance cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, technical,
educational level in Southeast Asia. ASEAN promoted regional peace and
stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law and adhering to
the principles of the United Nations Charter. It stipulated that the association
would be open to every country in Southeast Asia subscribing to its aims,
principles and purposes for participation. ASEAN represented "the
collective will of the nations of Southeast Asia to bind themselves together in
friendship and cooperation and, through joint efforts and sacrifices, secure
for their people and for posterity the blessings of peace, freedom and
prosperity."
History (timeline)[4]
Although every country in
Southeast Asia was invited to join ASEAN, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and
Vietnam declined. In 1984, Brunei joined ASEAN as its sixth member, followed by
Vietnam in 1995, and both Myanmar and Laos in 1997. Cambodia was not admitted
until 1999 because of unresolved internal political issues.
[1] The Founding of the ASEAN, official website, 2004 - http://www.aseansec.org/7069.htm
[2] Policy on spreading of communism -http://www.moreorless.au.com/killers/mao.html
[3] South east Asia : The long road ahead. By Lim Ching Yah, 2004. Chapter 1:The Land and its history -http://www.worldscibooks.com/economics/etextbook/4689/4689_chap1_4.pdf
[4] Time line of ASEAN - http://www.timelinesdb.com/listevents.php?subjid=583&title=ASEAN
Economic
aspect of Southeast Asia
ASEAN acting as a unified body
As Southeast
Asia’s economy depended mainly on investors out of this region, ASEAN was a
platform for a more efficient and integrated market. The different economies in
Southeast Asia are well incorporated with each another. Over the years, countries in Southeast
Asia have suffered in times of crisis but through these bad times, stronger
bonds were forged between countries. During the financial collapse of the Thai
baht in 1997, the economies of the countries in Southeast Asia were badly
affected. This goes to show that the different countries in the Southeast Asia
are economically dependent.
ASEAN Free Trade Area
ASEAN has
deepened and accelerated the formation of the AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Area)[1].
The signing of agreement was held in Singapore on 28th
January 1992. Leaders of ASEAN countries agreed to open their
manufacturing sectors for investments from within the region. This would
significantly advance the integration of the different economies in Southeast
Asia. With this new agreement, the cost of production materials is lowered and
hence more foreign investors would be attracted to come into the Southeast Asia
Region.
Ha Noi Plan of Action
The region’s
economic troubles serve as a motivation for ASEAN to work together in order to
deal with financial and economical weaknesses. In the Ha Noi Plan of Action[2],
procedures have been set to equip industries with their needs to commence on
vast improvements in the region, taking it to the competitive and
fast-globalizing world. In view of the economic perspective in Southeast Asia,
the process of ASEAN economic integration and cooperation has a recognizable
momentum that nobody can destroy unless we give up on ourselves.
Reference List
Website On The Efforts Of ASEAN In The Southeast Asia
Region:
The official website of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations since 2004
i) Introduction about ASEAN
Retrieved 1st November
2007 from http://www.aseansec.org/64.htm
ii) Information on the policy of the Ha Noi Plan of Action
Retrieved 1st November 2007 from http://www.aseansec.org/10382.htm
iii) Vision for ASEAN
Retrieved 3rd November 2007 from http://www.aseansec.org/1814.htm
iv) ASEAN’s stance on terrorism.
Retrieved 5th November 2007 from
http://www.aseansec.org/12636.htm
v) ASEAN Efforts to Counter Terrorism.
Retrieved 5th November 2007 from http://www.aseansec.org/14396.htm
Article On Chairman Mao:
Bruce Harris, January 2007.
Chairman Mao’s contribution to China. Retrieved 1st November
2007 from http://www.moreorless.au.com/killers/mao.html
Textbook On Southeast Asia:
SOUTHEAST ASIA: The Long Road
Ahead by Lim Chong Yah (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore), 2004. Retrieved
1st November 2007 from
http://www.worldscibooks.com/economics/5446.html
Website On The Timeline of ASEAN:
Algis Ratnikas, Editors of
TimelinesDb, 2007. The Timeline showing of key activities associated to ASEAN.Retrieved
1st November 2007 from http://www.timelinesdb.com/listevents.php?subjid=583&title=ASEAN
Website For Online Encyclopedia
i) Information of the ASEAN Free Trade Area. Retrieved 1st November 2007
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASEAN_Free_Trade_Area
ii) 1997 Indonesia haze. Retrieved 3rd November
2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_Southeast_Asian_haze
Article On ASEAN Helping In The SARS Outbreak
Institute of South East Asian
Studies, Daljit Singh, 7th May 2003.
View point on the reaction of ASEAN towards SARS. Retrieved 3rd
November 2007 from http://www.iseas.edu.sg/viewpoint/dsmay03.pdf
Article On China’s Posture Of
Denial For SARS:
Fiducia Management
Consultants. China’s total ignorance and denial Retrieved 3rd
November 2007 from http://www.fiducia-china.com/News/2002/905-1821.html
Article
on ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism:
Retrieved 5th
November 2007 from http://www.12thaseansummit.org.ph/innertemplate3.asp?category=docs&docid=17
Terrorism
in Southeast Asia
ASEAN’s interests in
addressing terrorism
Terrorism has
always been omnipresent, but it was only until the late 1980s where it gathered
momentum. ASEAN recognizes that terrorism is a major threat to the region [1].
It has unsettled regional peace, stability and economic development throughout
Southeast Asia. ASEAN and its member countries have been addressing the issue
of terrorism at the national, bilateral and multilateral level over the
years. ASEAN adopted the 2001 ASEAN Declaration
on Joint Action to Counter Terrorism[2].
The ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism was drafted during the 12th
ASEAN summit held in Cebu, Philippines[3].
Throughout the years, we can observe that ASEAN is truly focused on the issue
of fighting terrorism in Southeast Asia.
September 11th
incident
The highly
devastating and organized terrorist attack on the United States World Trade
Centre on September 11 2001 proved that the threat if
terrorism is real and greater than ever. It was perhaps then that the world and
indeed, Southeast Asia, took more notice to this escalating security issue.
After the attack, the United States declared Southeast Asia to be a “second
front’ in its global campaign against Islamic terrorism. At this juncture, it
is important to note the word ‘Islamic terrorism’, for the implications it
carries toward Southeast Asia is enormous. It would have been rather impossible for any one
single country to fight this battle alone. ASEAN has done well in its
collective battles and with its concrete plans for the future.
Conclusion
Whatever its shortcomings,
ASEAN provides a framework for countries of Southeast Asia to speedily discuss
matters of common concern. Its well-established associate mechanisms like the
dialogue partnerships, enable ASEAN countries, when necessary, to deal
collectively with some strength with major outside powers instead of having to
deal with them individually from a much weaker position. Without ASEAN,
Southeast Asia could once again be the Balkans of Asia.
Foreign Minister of Thailand, Thanat Khoman, stressed
that the goal of ASEAN, then, “is to create, not to destroy”. In this paper, we
have discussed on how ASEAN have benefited Southeast Asia throughout the years.
Therefore I do agree with Foreign Minister Thanat and that ASEAN is a combined of effort organisation by countries in Southeast Asia created for a better future in Southeast Asia.
Ecological
condition in Southeast Asia
ASEAN’s Vision
Nations and regions
all over the world face environmental problems, and Southeast Asia is no
exception. Environmental issues include deforestation, pollution and outbreaks
of contagious virus. The ASEAN Vision 2020 calls for
“a clean and green ASEAN with fully established mechanisms for sustainable
development to ensure the protection of the region’s environment, the
sustainability of its natural resources and the high quality of life of its
peoples”.[1]
Haze In Southeast Asia
The haze came
about in 1997, as a result of massive land and forest fires in Indonesia[2].
Although the burning occurred in Indonesia, the haze itself was not confined to
its national boundaries. The enormous and debilitating smoke haze hung over the
Southeast Asian region over a period of time, drifting as far as an area
between Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
The haze
problem worsened as Indonesia was slow to react. ASEAN was then called in to
deal with the problem. This was a challenging test of ASEAN’s operational
capability and the willingness of the ASEAN states to co-operate, considering
the fact that each country was already burdened with their economical problems
as the financial crisis had just hit the region. A committee consisting of the
ASEAN Ministers of Environment was immediately set up. They endorsed the
Regional Haze Action Plan which is a plan to tackle the haze problem in
Southeast Asia. Under this plan, all ASEAN countries would work together to
deal with this common problem. Its main purpose was to prevent and monitor the
continual seasonal forest fires. Information on fire fighting technology,
national policies and human health impacts were disseminated among the ASEAN
states. ASEAN has shown great interest and contributed towards eliminating the
haze.
SARS
ASEAN’s responses to the threat posed by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) have been proven to be useful[3]. Health Ministers from different ASEAN countries together with China, Japan and South Korea met in Kuala Lumpur on 26th April and a Special ASEAN Leaders Meeting was also held on 29th April to address the SARS problem. Different preventive measures were agreed upon. Such an implementation was important because SARS is a contagious virus and if one country were to be unwilling to help contain this virus or tries to contain the virus herself, it would be detrimental to the entire Southeast Asia region.
China attempted to contain
the virus themselves when it first hit them[4].
As a result of China’s posture of denial for the critical first few months
after the outbreak, the virus was not contained and spread to neighboring
countries. If China had raised the alarm about the outbreak soon after it first
occurred, other countries in the region would have been better prepared to cope
with the disease. The impact of the virus could have been minimized and there
would possibly be fewer deaths. But nevertheless, the SARS virus in Southeast
Asia was finally contained with the help of ASEAN.
[1] Vision for ASEAN on the basis of today's realities and prospects in the decades leading to the Year 2020 - http://www.aseansec.org/1814.htm
[2] Causes and
effect of the 1997 haze - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_Southeast_Asian_haze
[3] Article on ASEAN helping in the SARS outbreak - http://www.iseas.edu.sg/viewpoint/dsmay03.pdf
[4] History of SARS, reasons for concern - http://www.fiducia-china.com/News/2002/905-1821.html