Paul Wesley Chambers pchambers@seaigs.org A Paper Presented at the7th Asian Economic Forum, “The...

Of Resilient Regimes and the Search for Security in Asia

Asia: 46 countries, 4 billion people

Questions:• 1.What has been unfolding recently that is

altering Asia’s ties? • 2. What is at the heart of the disputes? • 3. What implications do altered ties have for the

region and the world? • 4. What recommendations are required in order

to maintain peace and security in the region? • 5. How will that affect Asia’s economic

recovery?

Some Critical Peace and Security Challenges for Asia

• Border disputes• Ultra-nationalism• Terrorism• Maritime Piracy• North Korean Nuclear Weapons Program• Refugees• Achieving Political Liberalism and Minority

Rights

Regimes: defined as “a set of mutual expectations, rules and regulations, plans, organizational energies and financial

commitments, which have been accepted by a group of states”

ASEAN faces “hard” issues

• 1. Border Disputes

• 2. South China Sea

• 3. Myanmar

• ASEAN should perhaps be more modest in its objectives. OR

• If ASEAN states are serious about creating a viable security community in Southeast Asia, they need to take action now—but only at a level which is realistic for the different types of governments that are part of ASEAN.

Recommendations:

Resolving 3 “hard” issues

• Gentle pressing of Myanmar toward improved Human Rights

• ASEAN should prioritize demarcation of boundaries of all ASEAN member states.

• Create a ASEAN cross-border dispute resolution mechanism which is more than a paper tiger.

• Keep the conflicts under the arbitration of ASEAN.• ASEAN states should stand united in the face of China.• Joint administration of the atolls and islands in the

South China Sea.

A Sturdy ASEAN can increasingly stabilize Asia--

Because ECONOMIC RECOVERY NECESSITATES INTENSIFIED COOPERATION

Thank you!!!