'Lack of consensus' keeps Pakistan out of ARF

By Amit Baruah

BANGKOK, JULY 25. Pakistan's application to become a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) has fallen through on account of ``lack of consensus'' among the 10-member ASEAN grouping as the regional body called for ``universal adherence'' to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and Non Proliferation Treaty at the end of the two-day annual meeting of Foreign Ministers.

Addressing a press conference today, the outgoing ASEAN chairman and Thai Foreign Minister, Mr. Surin Pitsuwan, said that Pakistan's application to join the ARF would be left to ``some other time'' as there was no consensus in ASEAN.

Apparently, the issue of the Pakistani membership was brought up at an informal meeting of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting on Sunday by Mr. Surin. The Philippines supported the proposal while some other ASEAN members did not say anything.

According to available information, the Philippines may again raise the issue at the ARF informal dinner meeting which is to be held here tomorrow with the Indian External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, in attendance.

On why Pakistan had been denied entry when North Korea had attained the ARF membership, Mr. Surin said that Pyongyang's case had been decided ``before'' a moratorium on inducting more ARF members had been taken.

The joint communique issued at the end of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting ``welcomed'' the convening of the NPT Review Conference in New York earlier this year and ``hoped that it would create a momentum towards the implementation of concrete measures on nuclear disarmament by nuclear weapon States.''

``In this regard, the Foreign Ministers affirmed the unanimous conclusion of the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of July 8, 1996, that there exists an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion, negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effective international control.''

Taking a forward step on dealing with regional issues, the Ministers approved the terms and conditions for the formation of an ASEAN ``troika'' comprising the past, current and future chairmen of the grouping. Reflecting the divergent positions on the role of the troika within ASEAN, the concept paper made it clear that the troika would not be a decision-making body and ``shall refrain from addressing issues that constitute the internal affairs of ASEAN member countries.''

Though the purpose of the ``troika'' was to enable ASEAN to address in a ``timely manner, urgent and important regional, political and security issues,'' there was little doubt that the concept approved today was a compromise document and its workability remained to be tested.

``Should an issue or situation arise which is likely to disturb regional peace and harmony and which has the potential to affect ASEAN in political or security terms and requires collective action by ASEAN, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers, upon the request of the ASC (ASEAN Standing Committee) Chairman or any other ASEAN Foreign Minister, could, on the basis of consensus, establish an ASEAN troika and determine its mandate,'' the approved concept read.

While calling upon the P-5 nuclear weapon States to accede to the protocol on the South-East Asia Nuclear Weapons' Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty, ASEAN welcomed the Chinese announcement in Singapore last year of its readiness to adhere to the protocol. The joint communique also wanted the other nuclear weapon States to ``exercise greater flexibility in the consultations on the protocol.''

On Indonesia, the statement reiterated the Foreign Ministers' ``continuing support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of Indonesia, which includes the provinces of Aceh and Irian Jaya (Papua).''

``The Foreign Ministers commended the efforts and measures taken by the Indonesian Government to restore peace and order. The Foreign Ministers reaffirmed that the stability and prosperity of Indonesia would positively contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity of the Asian region as a whole,'' the joint statement said.

It ``noted with appreciation'' the efforts being undertaken to assist new ASEAN member countries to integrate into the regional and global trading system, including through the development of the Mekong River Basin.

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Section  : International
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