CHIANG MAI, Thailand -- Once again, the experiment known as the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) enters the limelight for the wrong reasons. With preparation under way for a summit meeting in Hanoi next October, the focus is not so much on real issues as on the format for participation. Characteristically, a quick perusal of related news headlines is sadly amusing for its "bellicose" undertones.
"ASEAN gives EU ASEM warning" is one, while another states "Envoys seek to avert dispute." If this is the essence of the prevailing atmosphere, one might actually wonder how much is left for substantive cooperation. The reason for this is what some view as the nightmare in having to deal with Myanmar as a new member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as the European side presents its new members.
The deadlock may yet be broken, but for the moment, the echo of the Malaysian foreign minister's complaint reverberates: "We consider that as an unreasonable condition [the European objection to Yangon's inclusion]. ASEAN should be admitted as one body. If they are not willing to consider that, then we are not willing to consider the new extension of the European Union."
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