New intellectual leader emerges for ASEAN

Comrade Hun Xen was a former cadre of the Khmer Rouge regime known for killing almost 2 million Cambodians. Would a Khmer Rouge killer be qualified as an intellectual ASEAN leader? (Photo: Reuters)

Monday, June 28, 2010
By Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

The dramatic departure of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd last week and the resignation of Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatomaya earlier have effectively unplugged their nascent plans of constructing a new regional architecture. ASEAN, therefore, is the direct beneficiary of their downfall.

For nearly two years, ASEAN leaders were dragged into the debates unprepared and did several rounds of soul-searching. Member states found themselves united and at odds with one another examining national interest that has broader regional contexts. They ended up with a new mantra, known as the ASEAN Centrality.

Without the constant pushing of the two powerful dialogue countries, the question remains whether ASEAN should go slow or move forward full throttle to gain a consensus as early as possible on the new regional architecture. If the past is any judge, ASEAN tends to move quicker and consolidate faster with external pressure or crisis looming large.

Please click here to read more...