Post by Hornblower on May 14, 2008 12:22:42 GMT 10
About ASEAN - www.aseansec.org/64.htm
ASEAN has 10 members with a combined GDP of 1.1 Trillion US Dollars
Objectives are two fold
1) To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region
2) To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence to UN Charter Principles.
Note that key principles contained in the ASEAN Treaty are:
- non-interference in the internal affairs of one another
- mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty equality etc of each nation
This basically means that for ASEAN to take a stronger stance on Democracy etc is a fundamental shift from what it does right now.
However, there are strong movements even within ASEAN to take a stronger stance, particularly in Myanmar.
See the website of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus which is a group of ASEAN legislators interestedin pushing ASEAN to be harsher on Myanmar. Involves represetnatives from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Phillipines and Cambodia.
www.aseanmp.org/
Arguments along this side tend to believe that ASEAN is now in a position where it can begin to be more active precisely because of the economic unity and stability that it has brought about over the last 30 years.
On the other hand there are many that argue that ASEAN must remain more politically neutral. A big part of this comes from the fact that a big part of ASEAN's rationale is to be a forum for all 10 South-East Asian countries, which could be undermined by any radical action... I'm short on time, if anyone has more on this, please write!
Of Interest: ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand are in the final stages of discussion for a plurilateral Free-Trade Agreement. (Horrible acronym AANZFTA) 16% of Australian trade is with ASEAN, more than any single country.
ASEAN has 10 members with a combined GDP of 1.1 Trillion US Dollars
Objectives are two fold
1) To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region
2) To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence to UN Charter Principles.
Note that key principles contained in the ASEAN Treaty are:
- non-interference in the internal affairs of one another
- mutual respect for the independence, sovereignty equality etc of each nation
This basically means that for ASEAN to take a stronger stance on Democracy etc is a fundamental shift from what it does right now.
However, there are strong movements even within ASEAN to take a stronger stance, particularly in Myanmar.
See the website of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus which is a group of ASEAN legislators interestedin pushing ASEAN to be harsher on Myanmar. Involves represetnatives from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Phillipines and Cambodia.
www.aseanmp.org/
Arguments along this side tend to believe that ASEAN is now in a position where it can begin to be more active precisely because of the economic unity and stability that it has brought about over the last 30 years.
On the other hand there are many that argue that ASEAN must remain more politically neutral. A big part of this comes from the fact that a big part of ASEAN's rationale is to be a forum for all 10 South-East Asian countries, which could be undermined by any radical action... I'm short on time, if anyone has more on this, please write!
Of Interest: ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand are in the final stages of discussion for a plurilateral Free-Trade Agreement. (Horrible acronym AANZFTA) 16% of Australian trade is with ASEAN, more than any single country.