Asean's non-action

EDITORIAL

Published: 15 Jul 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

It is not at all surprising that the foreign ministers and heads of state of Asean could not come to any agreement over the territorial disputes in the South China Sea at their meeting in Phnom Penh.

The failure to take a stand was basically a reaffirmation of the traditional Asean core value of non-interference. This is the policy which brought international criticism for many years to Asean with regard to its reluctance to address human rights abuses in its member states, particularly in Myanmar.

But there was another and probably much more important factor that encouraged non-action in Phnom Penh. Along the sidelines the meeting became a skirmish in a regional power struggle between two superpowers, China and the United States, and Asean leaders perhaps understandably are unwilling to appear to be taking sides.

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kbt
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Discussion 8 : 18 Jul 2012 at 02.458
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While some regarded the South China Sea disputes are simply bilateral issues, so that ASEAN states should follow the principle of non-interference, if we take a look at the whole impact of the SCS disputes, we shall regard it as the regional problems that cause instability in the region. the issues should be discussed and resolved multilaterally, or the weak states, members of ASEAN, would loss their respective national interests. ASEAN should unite rather than denial.
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eve6
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Discussion 7 : 16 Jul 2012 at 10.137
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If such action of Cambodia will cause great effect of ASEAN solidarity, then it might be expelled or suspended from the group. actions shall be imposed. It is not a founding member and not major member of ASEAN but its acting this way. It should be punished!
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eve6
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Discussion 6 : 16 Jul 2012 at 09.556
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If such action of Cambodia will cause great effect of ASEAN solidarity, then it might be expelled or suspended from the group. actions shall be imposed. It is not a founding member and not major member of ASEAN but it is acting this way. It should be punished!
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lungstib
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Discussion 5 : 15 Jul 2012 at 13.035
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The presently all powerful China wants, and expects to get, its way. What its done to Tibet it will do elsewhere by distorting facts to fit its case. Wouldn't matter if one of these islands was close enough to Vietnam or the Phillipines to swim to, China would find some obscure reason it was theirs. The Asean countries don't know how to deal with a bully like this. Who does?
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bern1005
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Discussion 4 : 15 Jul 2012 at 09.444
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"Of all the features that constitute what is called the ASEAN Way – non-interference, informality, minimal institutionalisation, consultation and consensus, non-use of force and non-confrontation, the principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of one another is the primary cause that renders the organization ineffective.

For instance, in case of ASEAN Plus Three, Taiwan issue and South China Sea issue are not addressed and deliberately eschewed due to China’s insistence and the non-interference principle."

Wikipedia: ASEAN
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Ian
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Discussion 3 : 15 Jul 2012 at 09.383
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"There was no clear winner ", I disagree, China clearly achieved its objective of creating division within the ASEAN group. First divide, then conquer.
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commonman
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Discussion 2 : 15 Jul 2012 at 09.082
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They call it non-interference. I would call it lack of will to discuss and try to solve.
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Victor
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Discussion 1 : 15 Jul 2012 at 05.591
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Decisions require courage and conviction, and these prerequisites are lacking around here. But, of course, no one will admit it and they just call it as a middle path...... a do-nothing way.
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Asean's non-action | Bangkok Post: opinion