ASEAN: Indonesia shows the ability to lead

[Battle of Bach Dang River]

ASEAN close to unity statement on South China Sea
Updated 19 July 2012, 18:13 AEST

ASEAN foreign ministers say they are close to releasing a statement of unity on territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has been acting as mediator after ASEAN failed to reach a common position on the row at a gathering in Cambodia last week.

He has met his Camdodian counterpart and visited Hanoi and Manila and says he is working to identify "basic ASEAN positions on the South China Sea", which would contradict any perception the 10-member group is divided.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong says he hopes to announce the bloc's joint position on Friday, pending approval from all ASEAN foreign ministers.

China claims sovereignty over nearly all of the resource-rich sea, which is home to vital shipping lanes, but ASEAN members the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei have overlapping claims in the area.

Divisions over members' territorial disputes with Beijing prevented ASEAN from issuing its customary joint statement at the conclusion of its meeting last Friday, an unprecedented occurrence in the bloc's 45-year history.

Diplomats said a key sticking point was a refusal by host Cambodia, a close China ally, to mention specific incidents in the sea, pitting it directly against Manila, which wanted a reference to a months-long standoff with China over the Scarborough Shoal.

ABC/AFP

ASEAN close to unity statement on South China Sea | ABC Radio Australia

 

[ahfatzia]

It seems only Indonesia , and perhaps Thailand, are the only two nations capable leaderships and bring unity to ASEAN, which indeed falling apart in the political arena. However I doubt the ASEAN nations can reach a consensus involving SCS dispute despite the efforts by Mr. Marty Natalegawa.

 

[Battle of Bach Dang River]

It seems the weakness of Cambodia, who is holding the rotating chair of ASEAN, that has made Indonesia, the largest country in ASEAN must stand up to show the role of its.
Cambodia was not aware that the role of a rotating chair of the association not only says simply "no" or "yes" but the chair must listen the opinions of the members and find ways to compromise them to go to a joint statement.

It seems only Indonesia , and perhaps Thailand, are the only two nations capable leaderships and bring unity to ASEAN, which indeed falling apart in the political arena. However I doubt the ASEAN nations can reach a consensus involving SCS dispute despite the efforts by Mr. Marty Natalegawa.

I think that only Indonesia is capable leadership ASEAN, no one else.

 

[ahfatzia]

I think that only Indonesia is capable leadership ASEAN, no one else.

You probably right.

 

[auspice]

We salute Indonesia's FM for mediating. At least he treasures the association's unity. ASEAN should also have disciplinary committee if a certain chair doesn't act accordingly to what ASEAN's common goal. Cambodia shed its true color, she is China's mole, its position in the block is untenable. The majority were in a compromised agreement, despite of this Cambodia failed to issue a statement.

 

[Battle of Bach Dang River]

We salute Indonesia's FM for mediating. At least he treasures the association's unity. ASEAN should also have disciplinary committee if a certain chair doesn't act accordingly to what ASEAN's common goal. Cambodia shed its true color, she is China's mole, its position in the block is untenable. The majority were in a compromised agreement, despite of this Cambodia failed to issue a statement.

We should also sympathize with Cambodia because now it is thirsty money to develop the country and it is weak on the diplomacy, and under pressure from China.
It seems sitting on chair of Asean is an opportunity but also beyond its ability...

 

[MacanJawa]

indonesia strikes again

 

[Sonyuke_Songpaisan]

I am wondering why the viets dont pop out to lead the south asian?

 

[EastSea]

Chinese in Thai can't understand.

 

[Sonyuke_Songpaisan]

Should be Thai. Thai is the only one south asian country never endure colonialism. and thai is a big country in SEA with great regional power.

 

[EastSea]

Chinese in Thai is busy in power fighting.

 

[Battle of Bach Dang River]

Should be Thai. Thai is the only one south asian country never endure colonialism. and thai is a big country in SEA with great regional power.

I support to Thais PM Shinawatra Yingluck to lead ASEAN. She is very beautiful.

 

[Alchemy]

I am wondering why the viets dont pop out to lead the south asian?

I am understanding your frustration at China receiving very little support within ASEAN which is not a very nice position to be in being the largest member of the group ... Indonesia has surely stolen the march ahead of you as a leading member of ASEAN and Chinese position on SCS seems to be waning

 

[dunhill]

Indonesia rocks, please accept my express thank to Indonesia.