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ASEAN Countries Agree on ASEAN Security Community Plan of Action
Friday, 02 July, 2004 | 18:14 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:ASEAN Ministerial Meeting participants in Jakarta have agreed with the proposal made by Indonesia regarding the ASEAN Security Community Plan of Action.

“However, we are still unable to announce the exact plan of action as we have to report this matter to each head of state,” said Indonesian foreign minister, Nur Hassan Wirajuda, on Wednesday (30/06)

Wirajuda made this statement in a joint communiqué, which will be presented to the level of ASEAN Summit in Vientiene, Laos, in 2005.

In the communiqué, the plan of action will be discussed furthermore by Indonesian government and be reported at the ASEAN Summit in Laos next year.

Wirajuda said that the ASEAN Security Community would include five major elements, politic development, the establishment of regional relationship norms, conflict prevention, conflict settlement and post-conflict peace development.

In this regard, security is defined as political and security cooperation.

Regarding Myanmar, ASEAN countries see a progress in the stance taken by Myanmar government regarding democracy in Myanmar.

Wirajuda added that Myanmar government had promised to give the leader of National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, an opportunity to participate in the upcoming general election in Myanmar.

This election will be held following the forming of Myanmar Constitution.

“We do not know exactly when this will be carried out. But still, this is vast progress for Myanmar,” said Wirajuda.

He also quoted Myanmar foreign minister Uwin Aung as saying that Myanmar was still in a process of reconciliation.

The huge number of tribes in Myanmar has also forced the Myanmar government to be very careful in as they need to maintain the integration of the country.

“And we, the ASEAN countries, really appreciate their opinion in this matter,” said Wirajuda. (Yophiandi/Faisal Assegaf - Tempo News Room)