ASEAN to respect Indon territory

Members of the ASEAN Regional Forum agreed in Phnom Penh, Cambodia last week to respect the territorial integrity of Indonesia concerning the "situation" in the rebellious province of Aceh.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople said yesterday the commitment means that armed movements could not expect any assistance from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"The conventional notion of respecting territorial integrity relates to the commitment of states not to invade or violate territory," he said. "But today, with the proliferation of internal conflicts and secessionist movements and the clear attempts of terrorists to exploit these conflicts and their causes, it is important for states to reiterate this concept, but in a more contemporary context."

The ASEAN Forum’s commitment would bring greater cooperation between member states in resolving any conflict, he added.

In a statement, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, chairman of the ASEAN Forum, said they appreciate the contribution of the Philippines and Thailand in sending monitoring teams to Aceh upon the request of Indonesia.

During the forum, Ople urged ASEAN to take a "stronger stand" on the issue of Myanmar, but urged member countries critical of the military regime not to view the matter as a test for implementing a different policy.

"We have come to a point where our policy of constructive engagement meets up with our policy of non-interference," he said.

"I believe that both shall stand. We have come to a point where our policy of constructive engagement is pitted against policies of other nations of isolation and intimidation. I believe that the policy that is based on peaceful dialogue and mutual respect should win out."

Ople said ASEAN had taken an unprecedented position on a member state and that Myanmar had assured that it would heed the call.

"The world sees ASEAN through lenses that it has focused on Myanmar," he said. "We welcome and understand the deep concerns of the other participants of ARF on Myanmar. Perhaps we can work together in addressing those concerns through peaceful dialogue, where sober reason and not rigid rhetoric prevails."

Before the forum, ASEAN foreign ministers met for two days to discuss the issue on Myanmar.

Participants in the forum adopted two statements on counter-terrorism, one on border security, another on piracy, and a third on threats to maritime security. – Pia Lee-Brago