Rifts over charter for Asean may hit regional integration
By John Burton and Roel Landingin in Manila
 

Rifts among south-east Asian countries over a new regional charter yesterday threatened to undermine efforts to deepen economic integration and counter growing competition from China and India.

A proposed mini-constitution for the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations was submitted to the group's foreign ministers, but failed to include provisions that would help speed decision-making to achieve a planned economic union by 2015.

The Philippines, which is chairing Asean this year, had sought to replace the group's consensual decision-making with majority voting and sanctions on members guilty of serious violations of the charter.

However, neither proposal was contained in the draft agreement, drawn up by a group of the region's elder statesmen, which is aimed at making Asean a more effective, rule-based organisation.

Asean's foreign ministers agreed to set up a regional human rights commission despite opposition from Burma, which has been condemned for its record.

Alberto Romulo, the Philippines' foreign minister, said the human rights commission was necessary to improve international credibility and prevent meddling by western countries in the region's domestic affairs.

"The world is looking to [Burma] to live up to its promises, and to Asean to encourage progressive development in our region, which must entail improvements in both human security and freedom," said Mr Romulo. Burma's human rights record is likely to emerge as an important issue in scheduled talks between Asean and the European Union on a proposed trade agreement.

Efforts to strengthen the charter could be made when Asean leaders meet in Singapore in November to sign the agreement.

But the differences underscore divisions over Asean's development. Richer members, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, favour faster decision-making. The poorest and newest members - Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos - want a consensual approach.

The more economically advanced members hope to promote faster integration by offering to finance development projects in the poorest countries.

"In a region that is getting deeper into integration, there is danger of losing sight of the very essence of a community: helping each other. This is not a race of who gets richer first," said Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Philippines' president, when opening the meeting.

There are also expectations that other Asean members will increase pressure on Burma to ease political repression. But Burma has found support from the Indochinese countries, which see its stance as a defence of Asean's traditional policy of non-interference in each others' internal affairs.

Other countries, such as Singapore and Malaysia, might also view strict human rights standards as conflicting with tough anti-terrorism laws.

Burma, which is planning a Russian-built nuclear plant, could also become the focus of a proposed Asean agency that would ensure that the region's nuclear facilities would not be used to produce weapons.