New Asean chief hopes to see Japan boost ties with SE Asia

In a recent interview with Kyodo News, the former Thai foreign minister, who began his five-year term as secretary general of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Tuesday last week, spoke of his vision of enhanced community-building in Asia, saying, ''My dream is to have the second Fukuda Doctrine.''

Surin was referring to the doctrine enunciated in 1977 by then Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda, father of current Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, which has long underpinned Japan's relations with Southeast Asia.

Fukuda declared in Manila then Japan's resolve to never again become a military power and to strive to contribute to the peace and prosperity of Southeast Asia in a relationship of equality, mutual confidence and trust based on ''heart-to-heart understanding.''

Surin said that in the current age of globalization, with so much regional integration going on, ''I think the first Fukuda Doctrine can be fine-tuned, embellished to fit the situation of the day now.''

''Prosperity, stability and security of the Southeast Asian region are certainly vital to Japan's national interest. I think between us, we've shown to the world that there's no other alternative but interdependency,'' he said.

Pointing out that ASEAN countries have long offered Japan not only raw materials and production bases but also passage for Japanese goods, Surin suggested ASEAN could in the future serve as a ''filtering mechanism for Japanese generosity'' in extending assistance to other parts of the world such as Africa, South and Central Asia, and Pacific island nations.

''We are talking about equal partnership. We are no longer talking about the donor and the recipients. We're talking about responsible stakeholders. We each can contribute, participate and shoulder our own respective responsibility,'' said Surin, 58, a Muslim from Thailand's southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Economic links and trade between Japan and Southeast Asia have been enhanced due to Japan's enormous investment in and relocation of labor-intensive industries to the less-advanced economies in the region.

Still, the economically diverse Southeast Asian countries are seeking greater transfer of technology from Japan.

In addition to his dream of advancing ties between Japan and ASEAN, Surin said he wants to promote the role of Southeast Asia's moderate and progressive Muslims in facilitating reconciliation between the Western and Muslim worlds.

''The road to reconciliation between the West and the Muslim world runs through Southeast Asia,'' he said with confidence.

''Half of ASEAN are Muslims. Characteristics of Muslims in Southeast Asia have been moderate, progressive, open, accommodating, forward looking, less dogmatic, less rigid, very adaptable and innovative,'' he said.

''I think it's being accepted in the rest of the Muslim world that Malaysia is probably a very good model for Muslim society in the age of globalization,'' he added.

He pointed out Malaysia's success in promoting Islamic banking, and scientific technology, saying other Muslim nations could learn from the success.

Surin, who had been consecutively elected as a member of Thailand's House of Representatives for the last 20 years and who was foreign minister between 1997 and 2001, said that as ASEAN secretary general, ''I will do what politicians do best and that is to communicate to the people directly and invite them in, open up the space for them and ask for their participation in these community-building efforts'' in Asia.

Admitting that ASEAN is not merely economically diverse but also politically, Surin said diversity in Southeast Asia is also a source of strength.

''Diversity among our people is natural but I think it is not insurmountable. We can inspire them to leave the differences behind and look for a common future,'' he said.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

''We need to energize the majority of the people. We need to empower them so that they will serve as the pressure on the leaders, on the dreamers, the visionaries, the officials and diplomats'' to expedite regional integration and promote equitable development, Surin said.

Last November, ASEAN heads of government signed a landmark charter, the first in the group's 40-year history, to give it a legal identity as it prepares to create an ASEAN Community by 2015 that could eventually expand to include East Asian countries such as Japan, China and South Korea.|

Surin expressed optimism that he will be able as ASEAN secretary general to bridge differences among regional players and resolve obstacles that may arise.

''I'm essentially a leading cheerleader of East Asian community building,'' he said with a broad grin.//Varunee Torsricharoen/Kyodo News - January 7, 2008