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Anwar trial will hurt Asean unity
- Subject: Anwar trial will hurt Asean unity
- From: suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 04 Nov 1998 00:32:00
Subject: Anwar trial will hurt Asean unity -- Surin
Headlines
Anwar trial will hurt
Asean unity -- Surin
THE trial of former Malaysian deputy
premier Anwar Ibrahim could damage the
unity and bargaining power of Asean,
Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan said
Tuesday.
In what was seen as the strongest reaction
from the Thai government on Anwar's trial,
Surin said though it was Malaysia's internal
problem, it had far-reaching implications for
the Southeast Asian region and Asean
member states in particular.
''Several nations have expressed their
concerns over the issue which could
possibly affect Asean's unity and image,''
Surin said.
''Malaysia's action [involving Anwar] is
hindering Asean unity which could
decrease the group's bargaining power in
international negotiations.
''Asean is working hard to prevent the
impact of the ongoing economic crises
from affecting Asean unity in an attempt to
preserve our capacity to negotiate.''
However, he stressed, ''I want to insist that
my opinion is based on good faith, and it
must be clear that we are expressing
ourselves in good faith for the sake of
Asean''.
Thailand would raise the issue at the
upcoming summit of Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders to
be held in Kuala Lumpur this month and the
Asean summit in Vietnam next month.
Surin's comments were in sharp contrast to
those of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai
who recently urged leaders attending the
Apec to discuss the Anwar issue behind
closed doors.
Chuan has avoided criticising Malaysia's
handling of Anwar out of fear that it could
adversely affect relationship with its
immediate neighbour.
Anwar's trial on 10 counts of corruption and
sexual misconduct began on Monday. The
judge hearing the case has refused to grant
representatives of international human
rights groups special status as observers
though they are not banned from witnessing
the trial. They just have to compete with
Anwar supporters for seats in the crowded
courtroom.
Surin has strongly pushed for a review of
Asean's non-interference policy, citing that
many problems pertaining to a particular
country have ramifications for other
countries. He proposed that Asean adopt a
''flexible engagement'' policy which
encourages dialogue on political issues of
mutual concern.
His proposal has been supported only by
the Philippines.
The Nation