Thailand and Cambodia must resolve their disputes for the sake of regional unity
The ongoing Thai-Cambodian quarrel is a good indication that the future of the Asean Community still has a long way to go. Just look at the way Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen chose to ignore the plea from the Thai government not to get involved with a Thai fugitive. This will be a case study in the history of the regional grouping, when a leader within Asean does not really understand the requirements of responsible diplomacy regarding sovereignty vis-a-vis the opposition movement in neighbouring countries.
How can Asean form a single community when an Asean leader does not understand where to push and where to draw back in the internal dynamics of a neighbour? In the future, Asean's integration could become more problematic because it will certainly involve sensitive issues such as the rule of law, human rights and good governance.
Looking at the future of Asean through the Thai-Cambodian conflict, there will not be much comfort for supporters of further Asean integration. Prime Minister Hun Sen has been in power for the past 25 years, and has shown no sign of retiring.
No wonder Asean Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan expressed serious concern a few days ago over the Thai-Cambodian tensions. He urged both sides to exercise "maximum restraint". Somehow, his advice fell on deaf ears.
Neither side has stood down from its position, and this has already had a detrimental effect on border trade and people-to-people contact. Surin urged the respective foreign ministers to settle the bilateral dispute amicably and as soon as possible.
Surin was right in pointing out that the dispute could undermine the reputation of Asean ahead of the Apec meeting and Asean-US Summit to be held later this week in Singapore. So far, only the government of Singapore, the summit's host, has openly expressed concern over the situation. But the other Asean members have kept quiet. A few Asean members have contacted Thailand and asked for information.
It is possible that in the next few days, ahead of the Singapore meetings, a mediator between Thailand and Cambodia could be appointed to find an acceptable way out for both sides. Surin has said that, as signatories to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, all Asean members are obliged to offer assistance to help fellow member countries settle bilateral disputes, even when the two conflicting parties cannot agree to refer their dispute to any regional body for dispute settlement.
If any Asean member takes such an initiative to help ease the Thai-Cambodian tension, it would mark a new chapter within the grouping's history. It would mean that Asean members are beginning to care about fellow members within the family, especially with two of them at each other's throats.
Since 1997, Asean has been trying to convince Burma to reform, but to no avail. However, any conflict among members is a matter of urgency that needs to be resolved quickly. In the next few days, we will find out if Asean's solidarity will be forever at risk.
The ongoing Thai-Cambodian quarrel is a good indication that the future of the Asean Community still has a long way to go. Just look at the way Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen chose to ignore the plea from the Thai government not to get involved with a Thai fugitive. This will be a case study in the history of the regional grouping, when a leader within Asean does not really understand the requirements of responsible diplomacy regarding sovereignty vis-a-vis the opposition movement in neighbouring countries.
How can Asean form a single community when an Asean leader does not understand where to push and where to draw back in the internal dynamics of a neighbour? In the future, Asean's integration could become more problematic because it will certainly involve sensitive issues such as the rule of law, human rights and good governance.
Looking at the future of Asean through the Thai-Cambodian conflict, there will not be much comfort for supporters of further Asean integration. Prime Minister Hun Sen has been in power for the past 25 years, and has shown no sign of retiring.
No wonder Asean Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan expressed serious concern a few days ago over the Thai-Cambodian tensions. He urged both sides to exercise "maximum restraint". Somehow, his advice fell on deaf ears.
Neither side has stood down from its position, and this has already had a detrimental effect on border trade and people-to-people contact. Surin urged the respective foreign ministers to settle the bilateral dispute amicably and as soon as possible.
Surin was right in pointing out that the dispute could undermine the reputation of Asean ahead of the Apec meeting and Asean-US Summit to be held later this week in Singapore. So far, only the government of Singapore, the summit's host, has openly expressed concern over the situation. But the other Asean members have kept quiet. A few Asean members have contacted Thailand and asked for information.
It is possible that in the next few days, ahead of the Singapore meetings, a mediator between Thailand and Cambodia could be appointed to find an acceptable way out for both sides. Surin has said that, as signatories to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, all Asean members are obliged to offer assistance to help fellow member countries settle bilateral disputes, even when the two conflicting parties cannot agree to refer their dispute to any regional body for dispute settlement.
If any Asean member takes such an initiative to help ease the Thai-Cambodian tension, it would mark a new chapter within the grouping's history. It would mean that Asean members are beginning to care about fellow members within the family, especially with two of them at each other's throats.
Since 1997, Asean has been trying to convince Burma to reform, but to no avail. However, any conflict among members is a matter of urgency that needs to be resolved quickly. In the next few days, we will find out if Asean's solidarity will be forever at risk.
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