Postponing Asean Summit Okay : Asean chief

Surin said he could understand the hesitation of Thai leaders to postpone the summit, due to be held in mid-December, because of their fear of upsetting the momentum of the organisation.

Surin flew from Jakarta to Penang and travelled by land to the Thai-Malaysian border en route to Bangkok because of the closure of Suvarnabhumi Airport since November 25.

"Thai leaders have told me that their hesitation to postpone the summit is due to a fear of complicating the Asean progress on work already laid out due to the entry into force of the charter on December 15," he said in a statement.

"Sixteen leaders from East Asia are expected to agree on a package of strategies and action plans to face the unfolding global financial turmoil as a unified front. They will be joined by heads of organisations such as the UN, World Bank, IMF, WTO, Unctad and the Asian Development Bank.

"There are many declarations, agreements and MoUs that await endorsement at the Summit. Many important meetings, activities and projects are also being lined up under the Thai chairmanship in the coming year."

Surin continued, "I think that will give it an air of enormous significance. That is why Thailand's leaders have to be circumspect about their impending decision. They want to make sure it is absolutely necessary to postpone before making the decision."

The Asean secretary-general also expressed his willingness to work with the Thai government. "I certainly empathise with the Thai leaders and am grateful for their consideration of the matter. But I assure them that we can rearrange our work plans if Thailand, which currently holds the rotating chair of Asean and is hosting the 14th Summit, decides to postpone it for a few weeks."

Surin reminded Thailand's leaders of other advantages of a postponement. "As time is running short, a delay would enable the Secretariat to prepare better for the summit.

"This will be the first summit with the Asean Charter in place, so there is a need to make it special. A postponement would be good for Asean officials to prepare everything well with the Thai officials."

On Friday, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sompong Amornwiwat told the media that the final decision on the status of the Asean Summit would be decided by the Cabinet on December 2 in Chiang Mai.

While the Foreign Ministry is in favour of a postponement, Thailand, as the chair would have to be careful as many Asean initiatives are in progress or ready to be launched at the summit.

"I think we can live with that, we can wait a few more days and give the hosts time to decide. I am sure they have the interests of Asean in mind," Surin said.