DATE=11/22/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ACEH / ASEAN (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256429
BYLINE=GARY THOMAS
DATELINE=BANGKOK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or
ASEAN, is scheduled to hold a summit in Manila later this
week. Leaders from the 10-nation group are to meet among
themselves, then with their counterparts from Japan, China,
and South Korea. As VOA Southeast Asia Correspondent Gary
Thomas reports, the group will not discuss the turmoil in
the restive Indonesian province of Aceh.
TEXT: When leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations sit down this week, there will be no discussion
of the calls for independence coming from Aceh.
Speaking in Manila Monday, ASEAN secretary general Rodolfo
Severino said what happens in Aceh is of great interest to
Indonesia's neighbors. But, he added, it is still an
internal matter for Indonesia and no ASEAN country wants to
intrude. ASEAN has a longstanding policy of non-
interference in the internal affairs of member states.
Agitation for independence in Aceh has risen markedly since
the advent of a new government in Jakarta last month. The
Acehense are demanding a referendum like the one granted to
East Timor. East Timor, annexed by Indonesia in 1976,
voted in August to break from Indonesia. Events in East
Timor and Aceh have raised concerns in some quarters that
Indonesia is beginning to splinter apart.
Mr. Severino said although there is concern about Aceh
within ASEAN, it is up to Indonesia to raise the issue if
it wants to. President Abdurrahman Wahid - who is in favor
of a referendum for Aceh - is scheduled to attend the
summit, which will be held from Wednesday to Sunday.
Mr. Severino acknowledged that a perception has grown up
around ASEAN that it is an ineffective forum, because of
its non-interference policy. Critics charge that ASEAN was
ill-equipped to respond to the devastating Asian economic
crisis that began in 1997.
But Mr. Severino argued that ASEAN has become more relevant
because member states have become more committed to
economic integration following the financial crisis.
The ASEAN Secretary-General said the group would like to
reach a common stand to take to the upcoming round of World
Trade Organization talks in Seattle.
ASEAN groups together Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia,
Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos,
Cambodia, and Burma, also known as Myanmar. (Signed)
NEB/GPT/FC/KL
22-Nov-1999 07:03 AM EDT (22-Nov-1999 1203 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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