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ASEAN is widely recognized in the international community as an exemplar of enlightened and succes precisely constitutes the nature and measure of its achievements?

In the first place, it is remarkable enough that ASEAN has survived for all of three decades, considering few political observers had predicted that, like its predecessors - the SEATO, the Association of Southe Maphilindo - it would soon wither in the blast of the complex and unpredictable regional situation. As I Alatas recalls, "When ASEAN was born, there were a good number of skeptics who would not believe view among the ASEAN countries, the differences in the political and economic systems of its foundin in this endeavor at regional cooperation. Well, ASEAN proved all its critics wrong and it is now a vibra recognized not only in its own region but also in the world at large as one of the most successful region

The recollection of the Foreign Minister of Singapore, Professor S. Jayakumar is that when ASEAN wa Southeast Asia was so grim the mass media kept comparing it with the European region that would eve legacy of "ethnic cleansing"-the Balkans. "The media described us as dominoes about to fall at any tim optimism on the future of the countries of Southeast Asia. But now, 30 years later, the situation is very Southeast Asia now constitute one of the most peaceful, stable and prosperous regions in the world. I d possible if it were not for ASEAN".

Former ASEAN Secretary General, Narciso G. Reyes, once suggested that in order to measure ASEAN could have happened to Southeast Asia without ASEAN. "Southeast Asia minus ASEAN," he said, "eq more widespread economic deterioration and, almost surely, the ascendancy of expansionist forces that and disunity of others." He said this in 1981 when ASEAN was proving to be a bulwark of political coh the situation in Indochina and he was then anticipating only that the ASEAN countries would show exc during the rest of the decade. Optimistic as he was, it was beyond his expectations that the ASEAN cou the world's most dynamic economies going into the 21st century.

And even today, ASEAN's political achievement tends to be cited more spiritedly than its considerable of its members. Says Philippine Foreign Secretary Domingo L. Siazon Jr : "ASEAN has transformed it organization into a major influence in world affairs. During the last 30 years, ASEAN has been able to its Member Countries despite the many territorial problems and other issues among them. ASEAN toda organization in Asia that provides a political forum where Asian countries and the world Powers can di related to security, political issues and military concerns".

The relative peace, security and stability that ASEAN has helped achieve and maintain in Southeast As Pacific has been good for business. It created a favorable environment where rapid and sustained econo Economic development, in turn, brought about social progress and human development.

Just how was ASEAN able to achieve its phenomenal success? Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah H convincingly. "ASEAN has been successful," he says, "because there is a very strong commitment amo cooperation. Cooperation for the benefit of all and cooperation for stability and peace of the region. Thi ASEAN (Second), there is also a very strong commitment to pragmatism. ASEAN has been pragmat among the members in undertaking various projects. And ideology has never been a problem to ASEAN never interfered in efforts to cooperate positively for the common good of all and for regional prosperit Leaders and Ministers are never tired of seeking consensus. We work hard, we work with full commitm particular issue, on any particular program we wish to develop and when we do this, we are very very a

ASEAN has acknowledged that periods of rapid social and economic progress are often accompanied b relations among States. If not managed well, such realignments can lead to conflict. At the same time, i accompanied by structural adjustments of national economies, can create challenges to social order. Wi ASEAN also faces some issues related to resource conservation including environmental protection. Gr and capital also demands sophisticated border security measures and closer collaboration among States continue to address. It helps that the nations of the Asia-Pacific delight in their prosperity and realize th make bad economics. It helps that ASEAN, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the re Meeting (ASEM) processes are effectively promoting a more constructive and cooperative approach to of the world. The establishment of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) also represents a breakthrough in the history Chairman's Statement of the ARF's inaugural meeting in 1994, "signified the opening of a new chapter for Southeast Asia".

The expansion of ASEAN "shall pave the way for a new synergy, maximizing the cooperation potentia Vietnam's Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam envisions. He expresses caution, however, that "In the comprises countries at different levels of economic and technological development and with different c there emerges a need on how to keep those differences from slowing down the ASEAN growth pace an difficulties for those countries of lower levels of development."

The virtual realization of the vision of the Founding Fathers of ASEAN to have an association of all So means the end of ASEAN history. It is a call for a renewed commitment towards broader regional solid Southeast Asia. As Foreign Minister Prachuab Chaiyasan of Thailand stated: "As we move towards the derived its strength not only from unity among governments but unity among its diverse peoples. The A process must reach out to all spectrum of our societies. Through ASEAN, this region will become a gra community bound together not only by common interests, but by shared values, identity and aspirations

ASEAN faces the future with confidence. Its strong foundation and remarkable achievements will serve goals at the dawn of the new millennium. The ASEAN Heads of Government have reaffirmed succinctl shared prosperity shall be the fundamental goals of ASEAN. Towards these goals, ASEAN shall remain predictable and constructive pattern of relationships among nations in the Asia-Pacific region to ensure Economically, ASEAN shall move towards greater economic integration with emphasis on sustainable ASEAN shall nourish a caring and cohesive ASEAN community, whose strength lies in fostering a com vision for the future.

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