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South East Asian nations sign key pact with commitment to democracy
Nusu Dua, Oct 07: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations -- which includes communist Vietnam and Laos, the Sultanate of Brunei and army-ruled Myanmar -- signed a pact today pledging support for democracy.
Nusu Dua, Oct 07: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations -- which includes communist Vietnam and Laos, the Sultanate of Brunei and army-ruled Myanmar -- signed a pact today pledging support for democracy.
Asean's 10 members, in the Bali concord ii, promise "to live at peace with each other and with the world at large, in a just, democratic and harmonious environment."
Sources said several countries, in talks before Tuesday's summit, had wanted the word "democratic" removed. The Philippines pressed successfully for it to stay in.
Asean was formed in 1967 by a number of then-authoritarian states as a bulwark against Communism. Only six of its current members are democracies.
"The introduction of the notion of democratic peace sets the standard of political norm in the region. It means that member states subscribe to the notion that democratic processes promote regional security," said Asean spokesman M.C. Abad.
"It (democracy) is something that member states will aim for," he said.
Bureau Report
Sources said several countries, in talks before Tuesday's summit, had wanted the word "democratic" removed. The Philippines pressed successfully for it to stay in.
Asean was formed in 1967 by a number of then-authoritarian states as a bulwark against Communism. Only six of its current members are democracies.
"The introduction of the notion of democratic peace sets the standard of political norm in the region. It means that member states subscribe to the notion that democratic processes promote regional security," said Asean spokesman M.C. Abad.
"It (democracy) is something that member states will aim for," he said.
Bureau Report