ASEAN Security Community As The Mechanism of Conflict Resolution

ASEAN Security Community as The Mechanism of Conflict Resolution

Angga Radian Pally

“A Security Community exist when a group of countries have forged a sense of collective identity, meaning they will settle differences without resorting to force. The mantra here is renunciation of the use of force. In this regard, it is important for ASEAN to develop a higher degree of confidence and trust, by which members no longer perceive threats as coming from within the community.”

(Makarim Wibisono)



Introduction
Since ASEAN was formed in August 8 1967, Indonesian government always put ASEAN in the higher precedence. Not only because Indonesia as one of the founder of ASEAN, but also knew that ASEAN will bring a new level of diplomacy, especially in South East Asia region. Nowadays, ASEAN still exist as a solid regional organization, which bring all of the aspect of political development in ASEAN member countries including Indonesia. ASEAN survived as the non – block organization in cold war era with keeping the values of ASEAN itself and the principle of non - intervention. ASEAN always be a portrait of South East Asia Community when they were faced with the cold war pressured.
Now ASEAN become ten members with giving us explanations that each of South East Asian states seek ASEAN as a strategic organization with open regionalism, which can carry the national interest, to be implemented in international relations. Foreign Minister for the Republic of Indonesia, Nur Hassan Wirayudha said in his speech, that ASEAN still got the highest priority in Indonesian diplomacy, especially when Indonesia become ASEAN Standing Committee in 2003.[1] According the agreement in Bali Concord II on October 7-8th 2003, for the purpose of ensuring durable peace, stability and share prosperity in the region, ASEAN established ASEAN Community 2020 with “three pillars” – the ASEAN Security Community (Indonesia), the ASEAN Economic Community (Singapore), and the ASEAN Socio-Culture Community (Philippines).
Indonesia giving their role in ASEAN and its region, to serve and implementing the needs of the region. This role gives some credits to Indonesia to have some bargaining in the international relation. Since Indonesia has declared themselves as independence country in August 17th, 1945, Indonesia always active in international relations including bilateral and multilateral meeting. When cold war influenced the pacific countries including Asia, political constellations in Asia has changed also in South East Asia. Indonesia, as the region most powerful nation at that time, feels that the region of South East Asia needs to be stronger in relationship and cooperation. That is why Indonesia and four other countries (Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand) needed to establish one regional organization to prevent the influence of cold war itself. According Bangkok Declaration on August 8th 1967, Indonesia represented by Mr. Adam Malik, Malaysia (Tun Abdul Razak), Philippines (Narcisco Ramos), Singapore (Rajaratnam) and Thailand (Thanat Khoman) declared ASEAN.[2] This organization was established to impetus the economic corporations between ASEAN member countries. Since it was esthablished ASEAN always focus on economic corporation, because ASEAN needs to make the economic in region stronger and keep in stability. In running the organizations, ASEAN always facing the pressure from cold war and seem ASEAN needs to make other corporation besides the economy that is to create stability in region between ASEAN member and non ASEAN member country such as Treaty of Amity and Corporations (TAC) in 1976.
Treaty of Amity and Corporations as political corporations besides economy, in order to strengthen the stability in region. TAC includes the ASEAN partner country to make the political will to contribute to their strength, solidarity and closer relationship. According the Article 2 of TAC, every member should put the high respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity.[3] They also need to keep the non – interference in the internal affairs of one another and renunciation of the threat or use of force. Furthermore, TAC was created as a concept for making an effective corporation among the member to imperative submissive agreement reached. With TAC, ASEAN member can keep the region from the threat of interference and use of force. Actually ASEAN has the mechanism to dispute the internal conflict among the member, that is High Council. But unfortunately, High Council was not effective to implemented, because the issue was too sensitive if they wanted to bring it on High Council. With the spirit within TAC and Bali Concord in February 24, 1976. ASEAN also forming the ARF (ASEAN Regional Forum) in 1995 to maintain the political security in the Asia - Pacific region[4]. Now ARF has 23 members, which has the interest in the region. ASEAN Regional Forum was formulated as the dialogue mechanism to make a better relationship between ASEAN members and ASEAN partnership country. ARF seek more further about the world political constellations such as economy corporation, political corporation, and keeping the stability of security in the region.

ASEAN Security Community
After Cold war was ended in 1991, a political constellation in the world has changed and it also happened in Asia. It gives more challenge to ASEAN for keeping the regionalism and ASEAN existence in international relations. Therefore, according to Bali Concord II, ASEAN makes three pillars to strive the ASEAN Community in 2020. Indonesian has role to bring the concept for ASC (ASEAN Security Community) with keeping the Principe of national sovereignty, sovereign equality, non-interference, territorial integrity, national identity, shared responsibility and peaceful cooperation for mutual benefits among nations in Southeast Asia and renunciation of nuclear weapons and other response of mass destruction and avoidance of arms race in Southeast Asia. The problem among ASEAN member countries such as trafficking and the issue about terrorism, gives the reason to Indonesia for taking actions by making the concept of ASC. ASEAN should to make the formula to prevent the terrorism and transnational crime, which is happening now in ASEAN member’s countries. That is why, when Indonesia become the ASEAN Standing Community, Indonesia made the formula to prevent and solving the problem among ASEAN member, which known as ASEAN Security Community.

Security Concept Before ASC in Southeast Asia
Security Community in ASEAN is different with alignment pact such NATO. NATO was established for encouraged the anticommunist democratic country in North Atlantic to face the communism influenced brought by Warszawa Pact. ASC is not a pact but giving more concentrate into regional security among the members. Regional stability must be higher priority in implementation of ASC. Before ASEAN established in 1967, there was some treaty organization in South East Asia like Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) in 1955. Initially composed of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Philippines, New Zealand, Pakistan and Thailand. But SEATO was failed to establish security Community in the region because its membership was composed of only two states in the South East Asia: Philippines and Thailand[5]. Prior to SEATO’s formation, Australia, New Zealand and the United States had formed the ANZUS Alliance in Treaty signed in 1951. The ANZUS Treaty was never invoked; it even created tension between Australia and New Zealand[6].
In 1961, the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia formed the Association for Southeast Asia (ASA) to pursue regional cooperation. But unfortunately, ASA suffered its demise in 1962 when the Philippines pursued its claim to Sabah. To revive the spirit of community building in Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia formed MAPHILINDO.[7] It was also disbanded when Malaysia and Indonesia engaged in Confrontation. Nonetheless, ASA and MAPHILINDO became the forerunners of the Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN).
ASEAN Security Community as a brilliant idea that contained ASEAN needs to solve the problem between ASEAN members. According to the Indonesian Foreign Affair Spokesperson, Marty Natalegawa, ASEAN always sweep the sensitive political and security issues under the carpet.[8] With those arguments, without any doubt ASEAN should make the formula to solve the issue between the members of ASEAN because the ASEAN mechanism like High Council could not run effectively. ASEAN eventually has made some cooperation between the member and also other countries in the region. In 1971, ASEAN declared Zone of Peace, Freedom, And Neutrality (ZOPFAN), Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in 1976. ASEAN Declaration on the South China Sea in 1992, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 1995 and Treaty of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ) in 1995.
ASC is not a military pact and alignment concept even though ASC military relation can happen somehow. ASC only concentrate in regional security under the police corporation. Security means not only for the military and prevent the war, but also include the regional issue such transnational crime, terrorism and extradition. For that reason, Indonesia makes the ASC Plan of Action (PoA) as the mechanism of ASC. For making this paper scientific, the author also include the theory which relevant with the theme. Security Community Theory from Karl Deutsch explained the security community from the states and power sides.


Security Community Theory

“A Security regime, as Stein points out, normally describes a situation in which the interests of the actors ‘are neither wholly compatible nor wholly competitive. Indeed, a security regime may develop within an otherwise adversarial relationship in which the use of force is inhibited by the existence of a balance of power or mutual deterrence situation…. A security community, on the other hand, must be based on a fundamental, unambiguous and long-term convergence of interests among the actors in the avoidance of war”.[9] akan ditambahkan dengan teori yang dikasih Echo
According the security theory from Karl Deutsch, security community must be the long – term of convergence of interest in avoiding the war. It means ASC must carry the stability of region and preventing the war with renunciation of the use of force. That is why in ASC Plan of Action, it contained the solutions to prevent the war and keeping the peace in the region. ASC Plan of Action was made to implement the concept of ASC with also keep the ASEAN principle of “non – interference and consensus” and with ASEAN way. In order to explain more further about ASC Plan of Action, the author try to describes ASC Plan of Action with contained the political development, shaping and sharing norms, conflict prevention, conflict resolution, post conflict peace building and implementing mechanism.

ASEAN Security Community Plan of Action

I. Political Development
One of the main objectives of the ASEAN Security Community as envisaged in Bali Concord II is to bring ASEAN political and security cooperation to a higher plane. ASEAN member countries shall promote political development in support of ASEAN leader shared the vision and common values to keep the peace, stability, democracy and prosperity in the region. This is the highest political commitment that serve as basic for ASEAN political cooperation. A conducive political environment will ensure the process of keeping the peace and stability in the region. All of member countries must realise that peaceful processes will only survive with cooperation, democratic and harmonic relations between the members of ASEAN and refraining from the use of military actions to solving the problem.

II. Shaping and Sharing Norms
Shaping and sharing norms aim to achieving a standard of common values and good conducted among members of ASEAN Community, consolidating and strengthening ASEAN solidarity, cohesiveness and the use of “we feeling”. Shaping and sharing norms have fundamental principles, that is:
Non – alignment;
Fostering and peace oriented attitudes of ASEAN member countries;
Conflict resolution through non – violent means;
Renunciations of nuclear weapons and other mass destruction and avoidance of arms race in South East Asia.
Renunciations of the threat or use of force.[10]

III. Conflict Prevention
Conflict prevention was proposed to increase the security cooperation among the member of ASEAN with confidence building measure / CBM, preventive diplomacy, and increasing cooperation about non- traditional issues. The objectives of conflict prevention shall be:
To strengthen confidence and trust within the community;
To mitigate tensions and prevent disputes from arising between or among member country as well as between member countries and non – ASEAN countries;
To prevent they escalation of existing disputes.[11]

IV. Conflict Resolution
It is essential that any disputes and conflict involving ASEAN member countries be resolved in a peaceful way to promoting peace, security and stability in the region. This element was order to force the ASEAN member countries to choose the regional mechanism in solving the internal conflict. While continuing the use of national, bilateral, and international mechanism, ASEAN member countries shall endeavour to use the existing regional dispute settlement mechanism and processes in the political and security areas.

V. Post Conflict Peace Building
Post – conflict peace building seeks to create the condition for a sustainable peace and to prevent the resurgence of conflict. This element was form to see the progress after the conflict has been solved. This element including the establishment human aid, monitoring and evaluation every peace activity after the conflict. ASEAN activity related to post – conflict peace building shall includes the establishment of appropriate mechanism and mobilization resources.

VI. Implementing Mechanism
As we know that ASEAN has lots of concept but in running the concept sometimes the implementations was not too effective. Learning by the lesson, ASC Plan of Action was included the implementing mechanism to ensure the implementation of ASC Plan of Action is effective, the following measures will be undertaken :
1. The AMM (ASEAN Ministerial Meeting) shall take the necessary follow-up measures to implement this plan of action including consultation and coordination with other relevant ASEAN ministerial bodies, to set up ad-hoc groups as appropriate, and to report annually the progress of implementation to the ASEAN Summit as well as to introduce new measures and activities to strengthen the ASEAN Security Community.
2. The AMM shall undertake overall review of progress of Plan of Action. The AMM shall inscribe permanently an agenda item.
3. The Secretary – General of ASEAN shall assist the ASEAN Chair in monitoring and reviewing the progress of implementation of this Plan of Action.[12]

From all of the mechanism, ASC seem have no obstacles to implement but as we know every member of ASEAN has their own perspective and interest in the region. ASC Plan of Action can run effectively with cooperation, harmonic relation between the ASEAN member (We feeling), and keep the ASEAN way in order to prevent the use of force. Hopefully, ASEAN members realize that every problem has the way to solve, and keeping the good relations is the key to keep the solidarity among ASEAN member. The existence of ASEAN is very importance nowadays, because ASEAN as one of the success regional organization in the world besides European Union, and also ASEAN as the regional organization in South East Asia which can provide the needs of its member and keeping the stability of peace and security.
The unique of ASEAN is that ASEAN is open regionalism with difference culture and perspectives among the member but still exist until now. In the future ASEAN will face different challenge from all of the side of the world with difference issues and pressures. In this kind of situation, ASEAN is expected to be a solid regionalism with effective implementation of the mechanism including ASEAN Security Community. ASEAN Security Community as the one of three pillars in ASEAN Community, still in the process now. Because the implementation of ASC needs time and understanding among the members country of ASEAN specially when they facing their national interest in the region. For example Myanmar military junta still arrested Aung Sang Syu Kyi, the Myanmar’s democratic activist. It is related with the human right and the democratic issue within the ASC mechanism.
In solving the Myanmar case, ASEAN tried to make a better solution with keeping the Principe of ASEAN way like non-interference and cooperation. ASEAN had sent their delegates to persuade the leader to release Aung Sang Suu Kyi. ASEAN also put the case in every higher meeting like ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, ARF, ASEAN SOM (Senior Officer Meeting), etc. It was a concrete step from ASEAN for building democracy in Myanmar. In reducing the pressures from other states, ASEAN keep pursuing Myanmar with soft term. Myanmar had responded the ASEAN consideration for the case, but still the decision maker is depend on Military Junta. Military Junta had a strength relationship with Western Countries such as United States and European Union.
Those countries had giving their economic embargo related with Myanmar case. They were afraid if Myanmar had their role to leading ASEAN (ASEAN Standing Committee) in 2006 after Malaysia, the democratic system in ASEAN especially in building the Human Right enforcement, will having so many resistance. But finally Myanmar giving the chance to lead ASEAN to the next member, or passing the rolling system. It’s a big surprise for US, EU and ASEAN also. Myanmar realized that they were in the hard position in region and the domestic. Myanmar has put the concentration on democratizations and internal needed.But the we have to give a big support to Myanmar decision and keeping Myanmar Role as the ASEAN member.
Actually, according to ASC mechanism in conflict prevention, we have to mitigate tensions and prevent disputes from arising between or among member country as well as between member country and non-ASEAN countries, and more important is to strengthen confidence and trust within the community. So, ASEAN has their own way in solving the case, and the mechanism seek the case with cooperation without any intervention straight to force the Myanmar government. Even though ASC mechanism was not run effectively in implementation, but here we can see how ASEAN have the better way in solving the problem especially between the ASEAN member.
In the other case like Ambalat block in East Kalimantan, we can see the high tensions between Indonesia and Malaysia. Indonesia was upset and angry with Malaysia claimed the Ambalat block. Malaysia Claim the Block based on the map, which Malaysia made in 1979. Indonesia also claims the block since with UNCLOS 1982, the national constitutions and effective occupation with the explorations since 1962. Both countries were sending the troops to keep the territory and they had some actions in the sea but not until making a war. Both countries finally had made the decision to overcome the conflict with bilateral mechanism. Malaysia inviting Indonesia to seat together in dialogue in order to solve the conflict. It is a diplomatic ways to find better solutions for both countries. But unfortunately, both countries were not using the ASC mechanism effectively (such High Council), because they might thing that bilateral diplomacy was the better solution for the conflict, although until know still on process.
ASC can run effectively if all of the members not only understand and ratified the agreement but also implementations. Regional or multilateral consensus brings us the democratic ways in solving the conflict around the region. But as we know in running the mechanism, its need time to implemented, especially when we are facing the conflict between the member. But that was supposed to do when we living in one area with it purposed. In my opinion, ASC with Plan of Actions can be effective to implemented in several years ahead. Because now all of the members still preparing themselves to fulfilling the needs of criteria and also the mechanism, such as law enforcement, transforming the data, cooperation and adopting the ASC Plan of Action.
ASC as one of the pillars for ASEAN Communities 2020 is the main subject to reach the ASEAN Vision. ASC is the mechanism for keeping the stability in the region especially in political and security. Global issues such as terrorism, transnational crimes, extradition and human right were included in ASC mechanism Plan of Action. Its mean all of the threat was being anticipated with the solution refers to ASEAN values. ASC was formulated to overcome the issues in Southeast Asia including counter terrorism which now becoming the common issues in the world beside human right. ASEAN leaders knew that if the issues were not being solved, it would be endangering the solidity of ASEAN member and also the stability in Southeast Asia.
ASEAN even though has lots of concept which with less implementation, but we can see with clearly the successes of ASEAN. ASEAN can keep the stability in the region including the security cooperation. The internal conflict between the members could not make the ASEAN solidarity become weak. Instead, ASEAN always has the stronger regionalism with the comprehensive mechanism and cooperation. ASEAN Vision 2020 with three pillars including ASEAN Security Community will bring ASEAN to a new level of regionalism into ASEAN Community. Every member of ASEAN realizes that collective interest must be in the highest priority. ASEAN member always keeping the solidity with ASEAN way, even though many problem were swept under the carpet. But it also aims to reduce the tensions and keeping the region from the threat of use of force.
ASEAN Security Community can run effectively if all of the member of ASEAN still in commitment to implement all of the aspect of ASC. Each of ASC Plan of Action has the target of time where it can be accomplished. If the concept was effective, ASEAN will have a stronger regionalism in 2020 and the community of ASEAN will be formed. In Indonesian perspective, ASEAN still in the highest priority because Indonesia as one of the founder of ASEAN feel that ASEAN must be exist and become a major regionalism specially in Asia. Indonesia has giving the entire component to ASEAN since it was established until now. The name of ASEAN itself was coming from Adam Malik, Indonesian Foreign Minister at that time. ASC as the security concept was pure from Indonesian idea for the regional of ASEAN. The values of ASC are very appropriate to the entire member of ASEAN because it’s contained the solution for the problem among the region. ASC has the mechanism for the transnational crime, including money laundering and human trafficking, extradition and counter terrorism. If ASC can be effective, so that ASEAN will be a stronger regionalism with the stability of security and solid cooperation. ASC will affirm the AEC (ASEAN Economic Community) and ASCC (ASEAN Social Culture Community). The economy of ASEAN will growth faster and the problem between the member can be diminished, because ASEAN has the mechanism from ASC for keeping the stability and solving the threat in the region.





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- ASEAN Documents Series, ASEAN Publications 2004.

- ASEAN Political Documents, ASEAN Secretariat, 2003.

- ASEAN Reader, Institute of South East Asian Studies, Singapore. 1992.

- Banloi, Rommel C, The ASEAN Regional Forum and Security Community Building in The Asia Pacific : Lesson From Europe. Quezon City: Center for Asia Pacific Studies, 1999.

- Deutsch , Karl, et al.. Political Community and the North Atlantic Area: International
Organization in the Light of Historical Experience. New York: Greenwood Press
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- Indonesian Foreign Minister Speech in the end of 2003, Foreign Affair Publishing, 2004.

- Leifer, Michael, “The ASEAN Regional Forum: Extending ASEAN’s Model of Regional Security”, Adelphi Paper 320. London: Oxford University Press, 1996.

- Natalegawa, Marty, “Realisasi Visi ASEAN 2020” papper, Jakarta July 14th 2004. secretariat 2003.

- Sjamsumar Dam, “Kerjasama ASEAN, Latar Belakang, Perkembangan dan Masa Depan”, Ghalia Indonesia, Jakarta. 1996.
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[1] Indonesian Foreign Minister Speech in the end of 2003, Foreign Affair Publishing, 2004.
[2] ASEAN Political Documents, ASEAN Secretariat, 2003.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Michael Leifer, “The ASEAN Regional Forum: Extending ASEAN’s Model of Regional Security”, Adelphi Paper 320. London: Oxford University Press, 1996.
[5] Rommel C Banloi, The ASEAN Regional Forum and Security Community Building in The Asia Pacific : Lesson From Europe. Quezon City: Center for Asia Pacific Studies, 1999.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ronald Yalem, “Regional Security Communities and World Order”, in George W.Keeton, The Yearbook of International Affair 1979. London. 1979
[8] Marty Natalegawa, , “Realisasi Visi ASEAN 2020” paper, Jakarta July 14th 2004.
[9] Karl Deutsch, Political Community and the North Atlantic Area: International
Organization in the Light of Historical Experience. New York: Greenwood Press
Publishers, 1969.


[10] ASEAN Documents Series, ASEAN Publications 2004.
[11] Ibid.
[12] ASEAN Documents Series, ASEAN Publications 2004.