The evolution of preventive diplomacy in the ASEAN regional forum: Problems and prospects

Asian Survey

Volumn 46, Issue 5, 2006, Pages 785-804

  Yuzawa, Takeshi ^a  

^a Ctr for the Promotion of Disarmamen   (Japan)

Author keywords

ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF); ASEAN way; Institution building; Preventive diplomacy; Regional order

Indexed keywords

ASEAN; DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS; REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT; REGIONAL POLITICS; STATE BUILDING;

ASIA; EURASIA; SOUTHEAST ASIA;

EID: 33751369358     PISSN: 00044687     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1525/as.2006.46.5.785     Document Type: Article

References (56)

1. It is often argued that traditionally the ASEAN countries have used a unique approach to promote regional cooperation that stresses informality, a high degree of discretion, consensus-building, and non-confrontational bargaining styles. This method is broadly referred to as the "ASEAN Way," which is to be contrasted with the more legalistic and rule-bound European approach. Amitav Acharya, "Ideas, Identity, and Institution-Building: From the 'ASEAN Way' to the 'Asia-Pacific Way'," Pacific Review 10:3 (1997), p. 329.
2. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, An Agenda for Peace: Preventive Diplomacy, Peacemaking, and Peace-Keeping (New York: United Nations, 1992), p. 11.
3. Councils for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) Singapore, "Review of Preventive Diplomacy Activities in the Asia-Pacific Region," in The Next Stage: Preventive Diplomacy and Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region, eds. Desmond Ball and Amitav Acharya (Canberra: Australian National University, 1999), pp. 293-94.
4. ARF, internal document, "Chairman's Statement, the First Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum," Bangkok, July 25, 1994.
5. See ARF, internal document, "Concept Paper," Brunei, March 18, 1995, suggesting that the ARF promote security cooperation in three stages: (1) promotion of CBMs, (2) development of PD mechanisms, and (3) development of conflict-resolution mechanisms (later revised to "the elaboration of approaches to conflict" in response to a Chinese suggestion).
6. ARF, internal document, "Chairman's Statement, Second Seminar of the ARF on Preventive Diplomacy," Paris, November 7-8, 1996.
7. Pre-crisis measures, for instance, include confidence building, developing norms and principles of conduct, fact-finding, and early warning systems. Typical examples of crisis-time measures are goodwill missions, good offices, and mediation roles conducted by a third party. For details, see Amitav Acharya, "Preventive Diplomacy: Background and Application to the Asia-Pacific Region," in Ball and Acharya, The Next Stage, pp. 20-23.
8. ARF, internal document, "Concept Paper," Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, August 1, 1995.
9. Desmond Ball, "Introduction: Toward Better Understanding of Preventive Diplomacy," in Ball and Acharya, The Next Stage, p. 4.
10. The principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states is an important element of the ASEAN Way. ASEAN states have agreed to avoid criticizing and dealing with the internal matters of the member states, mainly because of concerns over domestic stability. The principle has been regarded as one of the major factors in maintaining intramural solidarity since the founding of ASEAN.
11. Personal interviews with government officials by author, Tokyo, December 13, 2000 (interviews 1, 2, and 3); February 28, 2002; and May 30, 2003. Taisuke Mibae, "ARF no Genjyo to Kadai" [Current situation and problems of the ARF], in Ajiataiheiyo no Anzenhoshou [Asia-Pacific Security), ed. Nihon Kokusai Mondai Kenkyujo (1999), p. 117, unpublished paper.
12. February 28, 2002, and May 30, 2003, interviews.
13. Alastair Iain Johnston and Paul Evans, "China's Engagement with Multilateral Security Institutions" in Engaging China: The Management of an Emerging Power, eds. Alastair I. Johnston and Robert S. Ross (London: Routledge, 1999), p. 259.
14. Shi Chunlai, "Preventive Diplomacy and the Asia-Pacific Region," in Ball and Acharya, The Next Stage, pp. 183-84.
15. Gaimusho, Anzenhosho Seisaku-Ka [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, National Security Policy Division], "Dai 4 kai ARF Kokyu Jimulevel Kaigo, Gaiyo to Hyoka" [Fourth ARF SOM, summary and assessment], internal document, May 26, 1997.
16. ARF, internal document, "Chairman's Statement, the Fourth ASEAN Regional Forum," Subang Jaya, Malaysia, July 27, 1997.
17. "ARF Ministers Debate S. Asian Nuclear Tests, Crisis," Japan Economic Newswire, July 27, 1998.
18. ARF, internal document, "Chairman's Statement, the Fifth Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum," Manila, July 27, 1998.
19. ARF, internal document, "Co-Chairmen's Summary Report of the Meetings of the ARF Inter-sessional Support Group on Confidence Building Measures Held in Honolulu, USA, November 4-6, 1998, and in Bangkok, Thailand, March 3-5, 1999."
20. February 28, 2002, interview; "ASEAN-ARF Members to Move to Conflict Prevention - Accord Reached after Three Days of Talks," Bangkok Post, March 5, 1999.
21. Email exchange with a participant in ARF meetings, December 2002.
22. Yomiuri Shimbun, September 1, 1999, p. 2
23. Kenji Hiramatsu, "Ajia Taiheiyogata no Anzenhoshokiko wa Seiritsu Suruka" [Can Asia-Pacific security institutions be established?], Gaiko Forum (Diplomacy Forum) 12 (special ed., 1999), p. 120.
24. December 13, 2000, interview (no. 2); and December 19, 2002.
25. Ibid.
26. Bruce Miller, "Report on the Seventh ASEAN Regional Forum," Australia-CSCAP Newsletter 10 (November 2000), .
27. May 30, 2003, interview.
28. ARF, internal document, "Enhanced Role of the ARF Chair," Hanoi, July 25, 2001.
29. ARF, internal document, "Co-Chairs' Paper on the Terms of Reference for the ARF Experts/Eminent Persons," Hanoi, July 25, 2001.
30. "Chinese Foreign Minister Urges ASEAN Forum to Focus on Confidence," Xinhua News Service, July 26, 1999.
31. Ken Jinbo, "ASEAN Chiiki Forum to Yobo Gaiko: Tayokasuru Yobogaikogainen to Chikitekitekiyo no Mosaku" [ARF and preventive diplomacy: Regionalization of the concept], Shin-Boeironshu (Journal of National Defense) 27:3 (December 1999), p. 34.
32. CSCAP, internal document, "Chairman Summary, CSCAP Workshop on Preventive Diplomacy," Bangkok, February 28-March 2, 1999.
33. Internal document, "ASEAN Draft, ASEAN Regional Forum Concept and Principles of Preventive Diplomacy," November 6, 1999.
34. Alan Dupont, "ASEAN's Response to the East Timor Crisis," Australian Journal of International Affairs 54:2 (July 2000), p. 165.
35. Mainichi Shinbun, November 14, 1999, p. 2.
36. Peter Oldham and Robin Wettlaufer, "The Long Haul: Institution Building and the ASEAN Regional Forum," in Canadian Consortium on Asia Pacific Security, CANCAPS Bulletin 27 (November 2000), p. 21.
37. Gaimusho Anzenhosho Seisaku-Ka, internal document, "Dai 2 kai ARF Shinrai Jyosei ni Kansuru ISG Kaigo, Gaiyo oyobi Toriaezu no Hyoka" [Second ISG on CBMs, summary and assessment], April 19, 2001.
38. ARF, internal document, "Concept and Principles of Preventive Diplomacy," Hanoi, July 25, 2001.
39. ARF, internal document, "Chairman's Statement, the Eighth Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum," Hanoi, July 25, 2001.
40. Mainichi Shinbun, July 26, 2001, p. 2.
41. "Forum Treads Path Toward Preventive Diplomacy," Australian Financial Review, July 27, 2001.
42. Asahi Shimbun, July 26, 2001, p. 7.
43. Gaimusho, internal document, "ARF kakuryo kaigo houjin kasha brief" [Tenth ARF ministerial meeting, transcripts of press conference], June 19, 2003.
44. ARF, internal document, "Chairman's Statement, the Twelfth Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum," Vientiane, July 29, 2005.
45. Michael Leifer, The ASEAN Regional Forum: Extending ASEAN's Model of Regional Security, Adelphi Papers, no. 302 (London: Oxford University Press, 1996), p. 41.
46. Ibid., p. 55.
47. Mibae, "ARF no Genjyo to Kadai," p. 118.
48. Simon S. C. Tay with Obood Talib, "The ASEAN Regional Forum: Preparing for Preventive Diplomacy," Contemporary Southeast Asia 19:3 (December 1997), p. 262.
49. Jusuf Wanandi, "Boost ARF - and Security," Asiaweek 24 (July 31, 1998), p. 25.
50. Gaimusho Anzenhosho Seisaku-Ka, internal document, "ARF SOM Gaiyo to Hyoka" [Sixth ARF SOM, summary and assessment], May 24, 1999; February 28, 2002, interview.
51. ASEAN, internal document, "Joint Communiqué of the 32nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting," Singapore, July 23-24 1999.
52. "Malaysia to Chair Meeting with Chinese Officials," New Straits Times (Malaysia), July 27, 1999, p. 8.
53. Gaimusho Anzenhosho Seisaku-Ka, "ARF SOM Gaiyo to Hyoka."
54. Yomiuri Shinbun, July 3, 2004, p. 4.
55. ARF, internal document, "Chairman's Statement, the Eleventh Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum," Jakarta, July 2, 2004.
56. For a discussion on Japan's waning interest in the ARF, see Takeshi Yuzawa, "Japan's Changing Conception of the ASEAN Regional Forum: From an Optimistic Liberal to a Pessimistic Realist Perspective," Pacific Review 18:4 (December 2005), pp. 463-97.