Asean needs to modify non-interference policy

Editorial, Normal
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Vannarith Chheang

ASEAN is trying to realise the goal of an Asean community, similar to the one in Europe, by 2015 with the ultimate objective of living in peace and prosperity under a shared common identity.
Asean is regarded by many as the driving force in shaping regional architecture in the Asia-Pacific region, yet the alliance is currently held back by the fact that domestic politics and nationalism still overwhelm or dominate foreign policy and international relations in the region.
The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict is a case in point showcasing the alliance’s limitations.
Because of Asean’s well-known non-interference principle, its potential for conflict resolution in the region has not been utilised.
History has often found Cambodian and Thailand in rival positions, leading the states’ respective populations to demonise one another.
This legacy of nationalism and mistrust is at the root of present-day disagreements between the two countries.
Ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was appointed as Cambodian economic adviser by prime minister Hun Sen last week.
This caused the temperature between the two neighbours to rise several notches and led to the ambassadors from each others’ country to be recalled last Nov 6.
Thaksin, who arrived in Phnom Penh last Wednesday, took the opportunity to aim a potshot at Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his government before giving a public lecture the following day to hundreds of Cambodian economists in his capacity as government economics adviser.
Because of his experience and expertise, it is possible that Thaksin’s advice could useful to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party as it formulates its economic policy.
I am concerned, however, about the implications of Thaksin’s appointment and his presence in Cambodia for Cambodian-Thai relations and, to a larger extent, regional security overall.
As a result of Thailand’s anger over Thaksin’s arrival, bilateral dialogue and negotiation between Thailand and Cambodia over the border issue will now likely come to a standstill, a fact portended by Thailand’s decision to revoke the memorandum of understanding on overlapping maritime boundaries agreed upon and signed by in 2001.
Economic relations between the two countries could be cut as well, which will significantly impact the livelihoods of poor merchants and others from both countries who live along the border.
Economically, this is a lose-lose situation.
How to solve this dispute?
At the 2008 Asean Summit, Cambodian foreign minister Hor Namhong asked Singapore, then the chair of Asean, to form a regional, inter-ministerial group to help find a peaceful solution to the bilateral dispute and prevent military confrontation from occurring.
Asean, however, encouraged Cambodian and Thailand to utilise a bilateral mechanism to solve their disagreements.
Unfortunately, bilateral dialogue has produced no result.
The mistrust between the two nations has now reached a point at which negotiations cannot move forward without intervention and mediation by a third party.
It is therefore necessary for Asean to take more assertive action and help broker a solution for the conflict.
The Asean principle of non-interference must be modified to meet this and other new challenges in the region. – Phnom Penh Post

 

* Vannarith Chheang is the executive director of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace.