Myanmar ‘ready’ to chair ASEAN

By Zaw Win Than
May 10, 2011

President U Thein Sein (second left) is escorted by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (right) upon his arrival at the presidential palace in Jakarta on May 5, ahead of the ASEAN summit on May 7-8. Pic: AFP

ASEAN Secretary General Dr Surin Pitsuwan has thrown his support behind Myanmar’s bid to chair the regional grouping in 2014, telling journalists last week every member state “has the right” to be chair and host the ASEAN Summit.

However, he said the bloc would have to take the “sentiments” of its 10 dialogue partners – some of which are opposed to Myanmar chairing the association – into consideration when making a final decision.

“I think Myanmar is ready to seek [to be] chair of ASEAN in 2014,” Dr Surin said at a press conference in Jakarta on May 3. “But we have to discuss it with [our dialogue partners].”

“ASEAN enjoys a tremendous profile because of our relationship with these dialogue partners. Their support, their commitment and encouragement, their trade and investment is obvious. So the sentiments of the dialogue partners are important” when making a decision on the ASEAN chairmanship.

According to the ASEAN Charter, the chairmanship of ASEAN rotates annually based on the alphabetical order of the English-language names of its members. The chair’s responsibilities include hosting ministerial meetings and the ASEAN Summit.

Under the alphabetical system, Myanmar was not due to become chair until 2015 but has requested a swap with communist Laos, who was to host in 2014.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Mr Marty Natalegawa told The Myanmar Times in Jakarta last week the issue would be discussed at the ASEAN Summit on May 7-8.

“Myanmar has formally submitted its request to exchange its chairmanship with Laos. No doubt it will be a matter our leaders will look into,” Mr Natalegawa said on May 6.

“Of course, there are technical as well as other criteria and we are going to be listening very carefully to the thoughts behind Myanmar’s intention to swap … with Laos,” he said.

“I have a feeling personally that this is not a matter that will be decided here and now but perhaps there will be a process [put in place] to ascertain the readiness of Myanmar to assume the chairmanship in 2014.”

In an apparent effort to shore up support before the summit, President U Thein Sein arrived in Jakarta before other ASEAN leaders and held discussions with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono concerning Myanmar’s bid on May 5.

“Yesterday when the president of Myanmar visited [President Yudhoyono] … the matter was also discussed and the chairman of ASEAN, our president, mentioned that this will be brought to the attention of the other leaders for their perusal and consideration,” Mr Natalegawa said.

A senior ASEAN source said the Indonesian foreign minister is likely to be tasked with assessing Myanmar’s readiness to chair the group. The source also said a representative of the Philippines would be interested in accompanying Mr Natalegawa on an assessment visit to Myanmar if the plan goes ahead.

Myanmar was due to chair the association in 2006 after Laos but eventually agreed to defer its right, apparently to allow it to focus on “national reconciliation” and the transition to democracy.

“We agreed that once Myanmar is ready to take its turn to be the ASEAN chair, it can do so,” ASEAN foreign ministers said in a joint statement in July 2005 after the postponement was announced.

However, given recent political developments, including a general election in November 2010 and the swearing in of a nominally civilian government, Myanmar’s leadership now believes it is in a position to chair the grouping.

In an apparent sign of confidence its bid would be approved, an article on the construction of Nay Pyi Taw International Airport published in the state-run New Light of Myanmar last week said the ASEAN Summit would “be held soon” in the country’s capital.

But senior ASEAN members are reportedly reluctant to endorse the 2014 plan.

Japan’s Kyodo newspaper reported that at the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on May 5, Singapore suggested Myanmar instead take up the chair in 2016, after Malaysia.

Dr Surin said he was confident an agreement could be reached provided Myanmar makes further political progress by 2014.

“We just have to wait and see how things develop and [whether] things go systematically, peacefully and effectively. Whatever is achieved, we need to [conduct] true consultations inside [ASEAN] so that everybody is happy and confident and then we will be ready to consult with our dialogue partners,” he said.

“The [ASEAN] foreign minister is going to deal effectively with the dialogue partners – who are a very diverse [group] – and negotiate [with them] on behalf of Myanmar.” ASEAN was established in 1967 with five members: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei joined in 1984, Vietnam in 1995 and Laos and Myanmar in 1997. Cambodia became the 10th member when it joined in 1999.

The grouping has 10 dialogue partners: Australia, Canada, China, EU, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the US.