National

Australia Still Refuses to Sign TAC Agreement with ASEAN
Wednesday, 01 December, 2004 | 09:23 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Vientiane, Laos:Australian Prime Minister (PM) John Howard arrived in Vientiane on Monday (29/11) to attend the 10th ASEAN Summit.

The leaders of ASEAN countries have expected Howard’s presence in Vientiane, particularly to confirm the stance taken by Australia in refusing to sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC).

Howard’s policy to impose pre-emptive strikes has caught the attention of all ASEAN leaders.

Therefore, they were hoping that the Australian PM would be willing to sign the TAC agreement, which shall bind all signing countries not to conduct pre-emptive strikes.

So far, Howard still refuses to sign the TAC.

TEMPO journalist Nurkhoiri reported from Vientiane that Howard and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark came to the 10th ASEAN Summit at the invitation of the ASEAN organization.

“They were invited to celebrate the relationship between ASEAN with both Australia and New Zealand,” said ASEAN Secretariat spokesperson M.C. Abad Junior.

Howard is the first Australian PM to attend an ASEAN Summit.

He is scheduled to meet with ASEAN leaders on Tuesday (30/11).

Howard said that his presence in Vientiane was to establish trade cooperation with ASEAN.

“The TAC and the trade cooperation are two different matters,” Howard stated before departing to Vientiane.

ASEAN diplomats and foreign ministers have paid great attention to his stance.

“We think it is time for Australia to consider this situation seriously,” said Thai foreign ministry spokesman Sihasak Phunketkeow.

According to Phunketkeow, it would be embarassing if Australia refused to sign the TAC agreement.

All ASEAN countries, including its dialogue partners, China, Japan and India, have signed the agreement.

South Korea also signed the TAC on Saturday (27/11).

Meanwhile, Russia, which will officially be invited to the ASEAN Summit next year, is reportedly signing the agreement on Tuesday (30/11).

“We understand that Australia has its concerns regarding security policy matters and wishes to see open options, including its security agreement with the USA,” said Phunketkeow.

“However, Japan has had no difficultiy in accepting the TAC. So, I think they should see this matter seriously,” he stated.