Issues of the day: ASEAN’s communiqué failure disappoints SBY

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July 16, Online

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed his disappointment over the failed Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) communiqué during the recently held ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

“This has never happened since ASEAN was established. I am disappointed and really concerned,” Yudhoyono told the media on Monday, commenting on the ASEAN foreign ministers’ failure to reach consensus regarding the prolonged South China Sea dispute.

The impromptu press conference was made after Yudhoyono met with Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa at the Presidential Office in the morning to talk about the fallout from the one-week ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.

The summit ended on July 13 with, for the first time in ASEAN’s 45-year history, no joint communiqué.

“This could lead to misperceptions or false depictions about ASEAN. The media has said ASEAN is broken and there is no longer unity in the region,” Yudhoyono said.

Your comments:

ASEAN since its inception has always upheld the principle of non-interference in other member states’ affairs.

When human rights violations were rife in Cambodia, ASEAN did not take any action due to non-
interference.

I wonder why, therefore, SBY is now so disappointed, since Indonesia has been the greatest advocate of the non-interference policy. Perhaps SBY is afraid that China will also take some islands and sea from Indonesia’s territory?

Henry Manoe

Indonesia is very blessed with a great and honorable President. I pray for his continued success in leadership over the most wonderful people of the most incredible country on this planet. May Allah continue to smile on Indonesia, and her leaders.

Lehut Chinsi

Isn’t it time that the President accept other countries’ opinions as well and to not always expect consensus about everything in life.

In the end, it will be diplomatic arts and skills that will bring various opinions together without too much reduction in those opinions (losing face!) and which is such an Indonesian attitude.

Jorith Arbier

China is using Phnom Penh as a proxy to subdue the will of the majority. It’s high time for ASEAN to take a common stance and shed the silly rule of non-interference.

A disunited ASEAN is exactly what China wants to wield power and influence over Asia. It’s 1940 all over again.

As Japan used military coercion then, China now is using economic coercion and intimidation.

What will be next if ASEAN lets this go unchecked? The stage for an imperialistic China is being set. The US is held hostage and Japan cannot be asked for help. ASEAN must unite. Expel Cambodia if necessary.

Markodelos Reyes