Charter Is Key for Asean Revitalization

The ten nations that make up ASEAN easily have the economic and human potential to be a major player on the world stage, Surin said. But that won’t happen automatically, nor will it happen under an ASEAN as it is now loosely configured, he said.

“As a group of small states, the leaders of ASEAN began thinking: ‘We had better consolidate ourselves and create more attraction among and between ourselves if we wish to remain the core of community-building in this region,’” Surin said. “But to remain in the driver’s seat, ASEAN needs a driver’s license, and that is coming in the form of a charter.”

What a charter – a constitution – does, he said, is set ASEAN on a concrete path to move beyond “dialogue” and consultation to a true leadership role.

One major obstacle to adoption of a charter is concern among some member nations, particularly the Philippines, that the current draft does not make a strong enough statement about the region’s commitment to human rights and democracy. This clearly is aimed at member-state Burma and its military government.

In the best of all possible worlds, Surin said, a strong statement on democracy and the rule of law might make sense.

“But let us begin somewhere,” he said. “We cannot start with a perfect document today and hope every member will sign on to it. We can help people understand the importance of human rights, and we should. But we have to start somewhere.”

Giving up the momentum toward a vibrant charter because of the debate about human rights would be a major loss, he suggested.

“Without a strong center, ASEAN cannot remain the fulcrum of power plays in the region,” Surin said. “It cannot remain in the driver’s seat in political, economic and security affairs.”

“It’s a difficult challenge indeed,” he admitted. “But the alternative is irrelevance and marginalization – we will be left behind, because things all around us are moving and growing very fast.”

The EAST-WEST CENTER is an education and research organization established by the U.S. Congress in 1960 to strengthen relations and understanding among the peoples and nations of Asia, the Pacific, and the United States. The Center contributes to a peaceful, prosperous and just Asia Pacific community by serving as a vigorous hub for cooperative research, education and dialogue on critical issues of common concern to the Asia Pacific region and the United States. Funding for the Center comes from the U.S. government, with additional support provided by private agencies, individuals, foundations, corporations and the governments of the region.