Printable Version

BURMA & ASEAN

 [A special talk given by a very distinguished Professor of All Ethnic International Open University, AEIOU.]

1967; ASEAN established itself as a regional economic co-operation; original objective of ASEAN is economic (according they said). In 1967, ASEAN included Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines.

But the reason they established is political reason. Because they are afraid of the domino effects of communism. That the reason why they formed ASEAN

The main objective is economic, but the main reason is political.

Ask: What is the relations between SETO & ASEAN ?

Ans: SEATO was formed for Military and The purpose ASEAN is explain above.

Only after 10 years, 1976, Regional Economic Corporation Launched. So, we can obviously see that they don’t prioritized economic first.

1976 to 1983     - major projects (AIP, AIC, PTA & AIJV) were implemented but all  failed because they are not interested in economic.

1984     - Brunei Joined ASEAN

1989     - A break through in ASEAN, FDI economic corporation as ASEAN’s  strategy changes

Tariff means custom duty or import tax or Tariff is an economic term.

ASEAN discussed about Tariff and make Free Trade mean zero Tariff.

But still they are discussing 0 to 5% of tax.

1992     - AFTA established

1995     - Vietnam joined ASEAN

1997     - Laos and Burma Joined the grouping and the ASEAN, vision 2020 launched. Cambodia at that time has coalition government, led by Hun Sen, coup Leader.

1998 to 2000     - going beyond AFTA (AFTA plus)

1999     - Cambodia Joined ASEAN

            Now ASEAN has formed with ten countries in South-East-Asia. That is 10 countries stay together under the same umbrella.

Ask:      Is ASEAN formed for political reason?

Ans:                 First, Let me explain what is economic corporation & economic integration? They use everyday but they have different meanings.

            Corporation:       Corporate to achieve the same goal (working together to same end)

            Integration:        Coming into a whole combining into a whole.

            Economic Corporation:   Complete assimilation of economics

            You can use as interchangeably in media.

There are 6 stages from Economic Corporation to Economic Integration

            1) Harmonization            : To adjust trade policies to minimize discrimination.

            2) FTA                          : To remove tariffs between the partners without adopting  a common tariff policy.

            3) Customs Unions        : FTA adopting a common tariff policy against third countries

            4) Common Market        : CU removing restrictions on factor movement. No need Visa in the group.

            5) Economic Union         : EM is coordinating their policies on fiscal, monetary, etc,. eg. EU, European Parliament.

            6) Economic Integration  : Extreme type of economic corporation when policy matters and their implementation(implication) is governed by some supra-national Agency.

Economic corporation is the lowest form of economic integration or economic integration is the highest form of economic corporation.

EU have European Parliament. That decides all the policy and work together.  e.g Euro Money: you can use in every EU country.

ASK:                When will ASEAN citizens be able to travel Visa free inside ASEAN?

ANS:                1) Migration

2) Economic Income

3) Illegal (no agreement)

It depends on Development Gap. What is Development? Development is more than income (GDP). It is including Health, Culture, Education, etc..,

Burma and ASEAN

            1967     : Established of ASEAN, Burma was invited to join, ASEAN but it declined the invitation. At that time, Burma was mutual not pro-East and pro-West. Gen: Nay Wynn refuse because

            (1) Burma is neutral country

            (2) SEATO is Military bases (e.g. Philippine & Thailand).

            1969     : Burma resigned from non-Aligned movement because pro-Soviet.

            1988     : Current Military Junta took over power and renamed Myanmar.

            1995     : Thai invited to AMM, 5^th ASEAN summit in DEC. Treaty of Amity and Co-operation (TAC).

            1996     : observer Status and applied full membership of ASEAN, South-East-Asia Nuclear Weapon free zone.

            1997     : become a full membership along with Laos.

Treaty of Amity and Co-operation: fundamental principle:

            1) Mutual respect for independence, Sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all nations.

ASEAN is not Rule Based organization.

2) The right of every state to lead its national existence free.

3) Non- interference in the internal affairs.

4) Participation of the threat or use of force.

5) Settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful manner

6) Effective co-operation among themselves.

Why Burma want to join ASEAN? Because there are a lot of motivations .

Motivating Factors/ Building Blocks (Why)

            1) Political

                        - Collapse of the Soviet Union & CMEA (no cold war)

                        - US Embargo

                        - Thawing of political Tension

            2) Social & Physical

                        - Historical Links

                        - Cultural & Ethnic Ties

                        - Geographical Proximities

            3) Economic

                        - Competition for FDI

                        - Economic Complementary

                        - Economic Reforms in CLMV

                        - Emergence of regional & sub-regional groupings

                        - Formation of trade blocks & Trade protectionism.

            In 1930, Burma was largest rice exporter. It started to go down when BSPP made compulsory sale to government of rice in Burma. The more you produce the more you have to sell, the same thing happened in Vietnam. In 1987, USSR bought 30000 Ton of rice from Burma to support Vietnam. Now, current Largest rice exporter is Thailand, Second: Vietnam, Third: USA. Where Burma? We don't know.

Type of Engagements with Burma.

1) Constructive Engagement

            Non-interference, not isolate the country, Friendly persuasion. Thai accepted in 1988 to bring South-East-Asia main stream. Burmese Army don't trust Thai.

2)  Constructive Intervention.

            You can intervene but in a friendly way.

3) Flexible Engagement

            More flexible approach than constructive intervention.

4) Limited Engagement

            e.g. Australia's approach to Burma.

5) Forward Engagement (or) Economic Engagement

            Taksin's approach to Burma

ASEAN Way_ Agreeing to disagree without being disagreeable. 

Implication of joining ASEAN

            1) One and Only (under same umbrella)

            2) Peace and Stability in the region

            3) Better confidence building

            4) Improved dispute resolution

            5) More collective bargaining power

            6) Regions external security concern will be strengthen

            7) China influence 

[For the personal safety of the professors who are risking their lives by volunteering at AEIOU near Thai-Burma border, we cannot describe the names of the professors here.]

Please sign the REQUEST to SPDC Regime to STOP KILLING Ethnic People. (click here)

Your Comments here_

If you have evidences of genocide committed by military regime please contact burmadigest@tayzathuria.org.uk