ASEAN: SEATO 2.0?
Last month in late August, I was attending the Zoom informal meeting in Foreign Policy Talks group and we were having a discussion with many issues ranging from U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the future of Afghanistan under Taliban rule, COVID-19 update issue and latest issues in Southeast Asia region. I was very delightful to gain more insights about the latest update from a colleague in Thailand about the ongoing protest in Bangkok against Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha government who were failed to handle the COVID-19 pandemic as the confirmed cases were rapidly spread in Bangkok area and demanding the new election to end the military rule. As it turns out, the situation become more complicated and seems to be there is no alternative solution to resolve the ongoing protest. Another insight that I gained was from a colleague in Myanmar regarding its situation which as it turns out the ongoing protest become more worse as the military junta government become more brutal to oppressed the demonstrators and the opposition parties.
In addition, Rohingya issues still not resolved yet by the military junta — and perhaps, that is not their main objective to resolve it — ever since they came into power in February 2021. Southeast Asia countries who mostly joined in ASEAN only gave a statements and condemnation of the actions conducted by Tatmadaw (Myanmar’s military forces) along with the international condemnation sanctioned by United Nations Security Council. For the Myanmar people, the international condemnation is not enough, even U.S. President Joe Biden was already gave the sanction to froze the assets of Tatmadaw’s high-ranked officials including the junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing held in America. And not long ago, exactly two days ago, President Biden announcing the new alliance between Australia and the United Kingdom called as AUKUS which to be considered as a “sudden move” in U.S. foreign policy.
The new AUKUS alliance creates many responses among Asia countries and Europe especially with French President Emmanuel Macron who called Australia as a “back-stabber” to forged a defense alliance with U.S. and U.K. while not consulting with him in the first place. France had a defense contract with the Australia to upgrade the Australian Navy submarines which is 12-diesel electric-powered Collins-class submarines fleet, but with the announcement of AUKUS alliance, the defense contract of Australia-France was ended which angered President Macron to the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. But, the AUKUS alliance goals is to strengthen the defense in Asia-Pacific region and also counter the China presence in South China Sea in Southeast Asia region which create the reactions from Asia countries especially President Xi Jinping who called this alliance as a threat to regional stability. Indonesian President Joko Widodo — my president of which the country that I lived now — is to be expected to had a call or meeting with Prime Minister Morrison on AUKUS issue because if the AUKUS military gonna began their activities and headed towards South China Sea, it will creating a friction between Indonesia-Australia relations and also jeopardized the ASEAN-Australia relations and violation of UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea).
As we can see on the ongoing issues surrounding the Southeast Asia region, then I began to wonder, where is ASEAN in all of this? What is the main actions taken by ASEAN on these issues either outside or inside the region? Where the ASEAN stances on these issues? And even I wondering, is ASEAN become merely a display regional organization? Only to meet twice in a year for Leaders Summit, East Asia Summit and Ministerial Meeting. As the headline of this post, you began to ask, what is SEATO and why ASEAN is being compared with SEATO? To that, we need to look back again in the history of Southeast Asia, especially during post-World War II and the beginning and heights of Cold War. We need to look back in the history, so we can understanding the comparison between these two regional organization and its future for Southeast Asia region.
Aftermath the World War II, Southeast Asia countries was liberated by the Allied forces consists of United States, United Kingdom and its Commonwealth realm members (Australia, New Zealand and India), Netherlands and France. The Allied forces are liberating Singapore, Malaya (now Malaysia), French Indochina (now Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos), Philippines, Thailand, Burma (now Myanmar) and Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). However, in the early 1950s, at the beginning of the Cold War, Communist become a threat to the Western countries and they began worrying about the intention of Soviet Union to influence other countries especially new nations in Asia and Africa. The first encounter between Western and Eastern power in Southeast Asia was started in Vietnam when Ho Chi Minh and its guerilla group called Viet Minh — the forerunner of the modern Vietnam — are against the French presence in Indochina and demanding the independence of Vietnam. However, the French wants to compete with Viet Minh through the puppet state called State of Vietnam — the forerunner of short-lived state of South Vietnam — under Emperor Bao Dai, but the puppet state and the French have to admit their defeat at Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954 which led to the Geneva Conference in June 1954 to discuss the division of Vietnam into two countries: Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam) under Communist rule of Ho Chi Minh as the leader and Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) under the rule Emperor Bao Dai — one year later, he was overthrown by its Prime Minister, Ngo Dinh Diem who was installing himself as the first President of South Vietnam —and the support from Western countries.
However the result of 1954 Geneva Conference left the disappointment from the U.S. delegation especially from the Secretary of State John Foster Dulles who felt that the division of Vietnam was allowing the presence of Soviet Union to influence the Communism ideology being spread to Asia especially Southeast Asia region. The U.S. disappointment of Geneva Conference results was led to the creation of new U.S. foreign policy called the “Domino Theory” and “Containment” in order to repel the Communism ideology out of Asia. The Domino Theory stated that if the presence of Communism in Vietnam will not be contained (Containment), then other countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India and other Asia countries will fall under the sphere of Communism.
In order to implement the Containment policy in Asia, U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles was creating the collective defense pact in Southeast Asia called as Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) which was formed on 8 September 1954 which consist of members from Asia countries and Western countries such as United Kingdom, United States, France, Australia and New Zealand along with Pakistan, Philippines and Thailand and three Southeast Asian protected countries such as Kingdom of Laos, South Vietnam and Cambodia. However, the membership of SEATO countries were not entirely include the Southeast Asia nations such as Indonesia, Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak (these three countries will formed as Malaysia in September 1963), Burma and Singapore.
However, the formation of SEATO becomes useless and ineffective due to several issues facing by SEATO members ranging from unresolved domestic politics to the foreign policy change such as the South Vietnamese government had become the puppet state by America ever since its foundation in 1955 which was also the beginning of Vietnam War and also had a internal conflict and struggle of power among the military leadership to claim the position as President of South Vietnam in 1960s while New Zealand government under Prime Minister Keith Holyoake was committed to help the United States in Vietnam War, but he was minimalize the deployment of New Zealand Defence Force in Vietnam which it was considered had a “small role” in the war along with Australia; the United Kingdom under Prime Minister Harold Wilson was making clear on his foreign policy that the British forces which stationed in Hong Kong and Singapore will not be deployed to the Vietnam. Coincidentally, at the height of Vietnam War in early 1960s, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand was helping Malaysia and Singapore against Indonesia in Kalimantan Island during Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation (Indonesian/Malay: Konfrontasi Indonesia-Malaysia) which was shifting the objectives of SEATO while Pakistan does not participating in any conflicts in Southeast Asia.
In summary, SEATO has become ineffective as the regional organization for Southeast Asia apart from its membership and the objectives, goals and purpose of the organization itself was not representing the interests of Southeast Asia nations instead it become a puppet for Western powers to succeeding the Cold War agenda in the region. This reasons becomes the background for the formation of new regional organization in Southeast Asia called Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand which consist of the first five member states founder: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Philippines. The establishment of ASEAN was known as Bangkok Declaration and the day is commemorated as ASEAN Day once every year. The purpose of ASEAN is to strengthening the relations between Southeast Asia countries and to solidified the stances of Southeast Asia were neutral in the midst of Cold War and pursuing the economy growth and development in the region.
ASEAN was proving itself to become an effective regional organization in Southeast Asia throughout the Cold War regardless the domestic politics issue facing by its member states and even aftermath the Cold War, ASEAN had a sudden influx of new members such as Brunei Darussalam (1984), Vietnam (1995), Laos and Myanmar (1997) and Cambodia (1999). But, in the 21st century, the existence of ASEAN become a question by its members. The rise of China as the leader of Asia in the 21st century brought a shock towards ASEAN countries. However the rise of China had its positive and negative side. The positive side is China’s biggest program, Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) will bring the investments and development for Southeast Asia region which it will be stimulating the economy growth of ASEAN countries and raising the trade frequencies between China and ASEAN. But, the negative side is China presence in South China Sea and the establishment of military installations in Spratly Islands could bring the conflicts among ASEAN members and broke principles of the ASEAN Charter.
China presence in Southeast Asia is only the tip of the iceberg while there is many challenges faced by ASEAN. The other problem is the inequality of economic growth among ASEAN members. In 1970s and 1980s, Singapore was become the Asian Tiger under Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and he was proving Singapore’s ability to develop its own economy in such of short time while Indonesia under President Suharto was considered successfully to develop the national economy and proving Indonesia’s ability on oil production and food self-sufficiency. In 1990s, Malaysia was become the developed country in Southeast Asia under Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and proving Malaysia’s ability to focus the economic development on industrialization which enable them to producing their national car, Proton. However, the Mekong countries such as Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar were still unable to develop their national economy due to civil war, coup d’etat which it becomes the main factors. Several ASEAN countries who are economy-developed wants to help and give the financial and development aid for its members, but there was a lack of commitments.
Why ASEAN had a lack of commitments for regional economy growth while the unity of ASEAN has proven? In 2015, ASEAN member states was initiated the megaproject to improving the Southeast Asia regional economy growth which was called as ASEAN Economic Community — I know, very similar with European Union predecessor, European Economic Community (EEC) — in order to able improving the economy growth for several member states who are left behind on their national development. ASEAN Economic Community was to be expected for the economic flow across ASEAN countries and not only concentrated in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines, but also to improving the economy development for Mekong countries such as Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam (although Vietnam is successful and has proven themselves to become economic powerhouse along with Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines). This megaproject also allowing the workers exchange across the region which raise the competition in quality of workers apart from trade goods and enable each member states improving their human resources through education reform and create more job opportunities.
For a moment, it was a great plan for ASEAN to launch a mega project on the region, but here comes the challenges that facing by its members. Political instability in some countries which led to the delays in the implementation of government policies especially in economy, trade, industry and education. In addition, the security issue across the region becomes the main problem as many countries had a complicated foreign relations with several countries such as Malaysia-North Korea diplomatic crisis in 2017, South China Sea ongoing dispute, Philippines-China close relations which makes U.S. President Donald Trump were disappointed and several terrorist attacks in Indonesia on 2016 in Jakarta and 2018 in Surabaya. These challenges is create the cohesivenees among its members to implementing ASEAN Economic Community is in doubt especially when Philippines and Cambodia were maintain a close ties with China while the United States is having an ongoing Trade War with Beijing.
Apart from the lack of commitment in economy development aid faced by ASEAN, the other challenges is the principal of non-intervention by ASEAN member states among the states. I’m gonna highlighting this issue more deeply because this is the main issue and probably the main challenge of the solidarity, integrity and the unity of ASEAN. Many experts on regionalism or international relations are viewed the non-intervention principal by ASEAN had a purpose during the Cold War and still had a relevancy in the present context but this principle become questionable especially the Rohingya refugees issue and their persecution by the Myanmar government. So far, Indonesia as the main influencer among ASEAN members were condemn the act of persecutions towards Rohingya people, even sometimes there was the pressure from Indonesian people to go further more than just a diplomatic notes saying a condemnation on Myanmar.
The Rohingya refugee issue and their persecution conducted by the Myanmar government has finally arrived in United Nations Security Council and it produce a UN resolution to condemn Myanmar of its action towards Rohingya people, but the action were considered too late. The ASEAN countries should take one step further in order to give pressure on Myanmar government to stop its brutal act on Rohingya and abolished the non-intervention principle. Alright, perhaps its too outrageous if the non-intervention principle were completely abolished on ASEAN Charter, but there must be an intervention principle which should come from the recommendation and the agreement of ASEAN members except the subject country. This action become will be much more efficient than waiting the sanctions from the United Nations. Beside the Rohingya issue, Thailand situation becomes more intensify in recent years especially after the 2019 general election result shows Prayuth Chan-o-cha still retained his seat as Prime Minister of Thailand which is criticized by Thai people who are exhausted with the military rule, but the protests were oppressed by the Thai military which is more than less were same like its neighbor, Myanmar and again, still there is no further action taken by ASEAN.
From my point of view, ASEAN countries were totally trapped in the Charter while there is a crucial issue that should need to be resolved as soon as possible before it is too late or waiting the issue to be arrived in the desk of United Nations Security Council such as Rohingya persecution and the oppression of opposition parties demonstration in Myanmar and Thailand. ASEAN member states should think that if the Southeast Asia region wanted to be more unified, solid and prosper, then there must be a comprehensive and real solutions more than just a diplomatic notes, cultural and student exchanges, leader and ministerial summits or condemnation. The Southeast Asian peoples were believed that the ASEAN should be the place to address and resolved all regional issues and its challenges, so the regional organization as the institution could proven itself the principles and the solidarity and unity among ASEAN members. As part of the ASEAN, we believe the unity and solidarity among its members is the key to move forward together regardless of our ethnics, religions, political views and the economy class and embracing the principles on ASEAN Charter and UN Charter which is why I’m recommending to change the non-intervention principle, so ASEAN could move freely to resolve the issues and challenge in the region.
History has taught us on the failure of SEATO as the regional organization in Southeast Asia because of the lack of solidarity and unity, merely based on the Cold War agenda rather than the real issue or challenges that was facing by the countries in the region aftermath the decolonialization and post-World War II. The establishment of ASEAN in 1967 as the regional organization also taught us on to believe that this institution could do more than SEATO did and addressing and resolve the challenges facing by Southeast Asia nations in order to direct those countries to become a leader of Asia and for the welfare of the region. So, ASEAN must not become the new SEATO unless they had to revise the Charter, so its members were not trapped by it and are able to resolved the region issues.
Well, this is just my Thoughts from the Closet.
