What’s a little misunderstanding between friends?

Posted on July 24, 2008
Filed Under Commentary |

The name of this blog was inspired by Proverbs 18:21: “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” A reminder to us all of the importance of minding our words. A lesson that ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)’s foreign ministers would do well to learn.

ASEAN appears to be coming of age. The ASEAN charter, which establishes a legal framework for the regional group has now been ratified by seven of its ten members. But, like any adolescent, it’s having a few growing pains.

At the weekend, we were treated to the embarrassing sight of Singapore’s Foreign Minister, George Yeo having to back down from his earlier comments about opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s imminent release from house arrest.

In a rare break from its policy of non-interference in member’s internal affairs, the foreign ministers issued a statement Sunday expressing “deep disappointment” at the junta’s decision to extend Suu Kyi’s detention.

The statement read, “They [the foreign ministers] repeated the call by ASEAN Leaders for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political detainees, as part of Myanmar’s national reconciliation process. The Foreign Ministers reiterated their view that the Myanmar Government should engage in a meaningful dialogue with all political groups, and work towards a peaceful transition to democracy in the near future.”

Almost as if on cue, the junta managed to blunt their criticism, when at dinner comments by Burma’s Foreign Minister Nyan Win’s appeared to suggest the NLD leader could be free by the end of the year (see Suu Kyi to be released in six months?). Perhaps sensing a diplomatic triumph, Yeo, rushed to repeat the comments to the media.

But, less than 24 hours later, Yeo was forced to back down from his comments, saying he and his colleagues had misunderstood the Burmese Foreign Minister. In fact, Suu Kyi would not be released until late 2009 (see Burma ratifies ASEAN charter as body backs down on Suu Kyi release date)!

Even more embarrassing is that just a few weeks ago, ASEAN secretary general, Surin Pitsuwan was crowing about the group’s success in convincing the junta to open up to foreign aid following Cyclone Nargis. The former Thai foreign minister told the 5th ASEAN Leadership Forum in Singapore that a new ASEAN had emerged from its achievements in responding to the challenges of the cyclone. He said, “We are being baptised by Cyclone Nargis.

Once enacted, the ASEAN Charter will create a new regional Human Rights Body. The body’s exact makeup, role and powers are yet to be decided, but it is expected to have the power to monitor or investigate rights violations in the region. Power that Burma has been strongly objecting to in meetings with other ASEAN members this week in Singapore.

According to the Associated Press, Nyan Win told the panel responsible for establishing the body’ that it should uphold ASEAN’s bedrock policy of non interference in each other’s affairs.

How far ASEAN is prepared to push that policy will go along way to determining the future development of ASEAN. A Human Rights Body with real teeth will force member state’s to hold each other accountable for even casual remarks made over dinner. Let’s see how they like them apples?