Success of ASEAN ‘up to the people’: Surin

Myanmar Times , March 2 - 8 , 2009 

Myanmar Times special correspondent Roger Mitton conducted a wide-ranging interview with the ASEAN secretary general, Surin Pitsuwan, ahead of the 14th ASEAN summit in Hua Hin, Thailand, last weekend. Here are some of the issues they discussed:

Q: You said the Myanmar government has cooperated well with ASEAN in the Nargis relief effort. Can ASEAN build on that cooperation? 

A: Ten years ago, there was a need to encourage more candid and more open discussions about problems between us in ASEAN. Because, while some of those problems might be domestic in nature, others could affect the neighbourhood. Now, of course, globalisation has done away with the notion that you can have absolute control of your own problems. I think that has been realised across ASEAN. So that in Myanmar, what they are doing now is more like flexible engagement. In fact, they have even gone beyond that. They are very, very open and candid about their engaging. And on some of the matters sensitive to them, they volunteer to give a briefing to their ASEAN colleagues. I think that is progress. 

Q: The new ASEAN charter has provisions for safeguarding human rights and democracy. Do you think all the members will adhere to them? 

A: We are a diverse group in ASEAN. We go every which way, including in the implementation of economic goals, governance, the way in which the societies are governed. We are very diverse. The good thing that the charter brings is to clearly specify and spell out these things. I don’t think the power of the charter should be under-estimated. It spells out the mission that every member must aspire to and must try to achieve. 

Q: So you don’t think the diversity will deplete the force of the charter? 

A: I think the various elements in the whole spectrum of ASEAN, including the people of all member states, will have to take a look at the charter and seek ways to really enforce it. For the last four decades, ASEAN has been a leader-driven organisation. The new charter now provides for people to participate and make a contribution. If people take that seriously, we’ll have a chance to help drive and shape the region and the organisation. If they don’t, then you can’t blame the leaders. They have made their commitment, they have opened up the space. Now it’s for the people of ASEAN to seize the opportunity. 

Q: Getting the charter ratified was not easy, especially in Thailand with all the unrest last year? 

A: That’s right, the most difficult part was in Thailand. But also in Indonesia and the Philippines, which have their own rhythm, their own processes to go through. It was a lesson for all of us, that in the open systems, you can’t take anything for granted. And if you want democracy, you have noises. You have a lot of people who want to be part of the process. So it was a good learning experience. And the charter has certainly given us a boost. People around the world are taking ASEAN much more seriously because of the charter. 

Q: You’re an optimist? 

A: Well, I don’t see it as unusual that some ASEAN members may be reluctant, or may interpret the words of the charter differently. It’s really up to the people. My hope is that they will make a contribution and they will drive the organisation onward. Perhaps bit by bit, perhaps slowly. But the space is there. Seize it. 

Q: Cambodia was the last member to join. Do you think its inclusion in ASEAN has helped it become more stable and democratic? 

A: The inclusion of Cambodia has been mutually advantageous. Certainly ASEAN has benefitted from the membership of Cambodia. On some issues, Cambodia has played a very constructive role. And Cambodia itself, while it took some time to join, has also benefitted from the support and the cooperation of ASEAN, even in the settlement of its own internal affairs. 

Q: Regarding disputes between members, like that between Cambodia and Thailand over Preah Vihear, ASEAN seems rather toothless. 

A: I don’t think so. In that particular case, ASEAN encouraged the parties to reach a resolution amicably and bilaterally. And ASEAN members were, and continue to be, standing by, making phone calls, making visits, making representations. I appealed to some members to get involved, positively, to express concern and encourage caution and restraint. Many of them did so without my nudging or appeal. In the end, the issue did not play up. So I think the restraint and caution that was urged by their ASEAN colleagues had some impact. 

Q: Australia’s Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is pushing for a European Union-style Asian community. Won’t that diminish ASEAN? 

A: The role of ASEAN will only be diminished by the activities of ASEAN, not by any other architectures outside. Even without those architectures, if ASEAN, as an organisation, does not deliver on the promises in the charter, then it’s going to be diminished. My commitment is to make sure that does not happen, to make sure that ASEAN is relevant and continues to be relevant. But in doing that, we cannot restrain anybody from exercising imagination. It is for the good of the region. I told Mr Rudd that we need to know more about his vision. These challenges help keep ASEAN’s momentum going. 

Q: You were foreign minister in the last Democrat Party-led government in Thailand. Now the Democrats are back in power, do you not regret leaving to become ASEAN secretary general? 

A: No. I was asked by the leadership of the Democrat Party to come back, but I declined. I said I’ve made my decision, thank you very much. I’ll come back and serve when I’m free. But for now, I’m committed to this job. I’ll give it my best five years. It’s extremely challenging. Often very inspiring. Often very much under pressure – but I think that’s to be expected. I have said that I would give my full measure to the job and I think ASEAN needs someone with a very strong commitment in order to drive it forward under the new charter.