The Daily IIJ » Reporting on Asean

Amerasians: The unwanted angels of Angeles City

Joseph Ubalde — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:55:20 +0000

The De la Cruz siblings were fathered and abandoned by US servicemen in the Philippines.

(First of two articles)

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga – There was a hint of embarrassment in Mark Gilbore’s voice as he pointed to the infamous red light district of Angeles City.

It was almost dusk when girls of various shapes and sizes began to pour out onto the streets. Clad in clothes that showed off more skin than fabric, they sashayed on stilettos into the narrow road called “Walking Street,” their glassy smiles intact.

“There,” Mark said as he pointed to a girl wearing a skimpy rodeo outfit outside a bar that was just about to open its neon sign. “She’s like me,” he said, looking away.

The girl, like Mark, is an Amerasian or a child fathered by American servicemen who were stationed in Clark Base in Pampanga, back when the US had its biggest military bases in the Asia Pacific region, here at Subic and Clark. The American bases were opened from 1903 till 1991, when the destructive eruption of nearby Mt. Pinatubo and a historic 12-11 vote by the Philippine Senate finally forced their exit from Philippine shores. But when the soldiers left, few cared about the children they left behind.

Continue reading here: http://www.interaksyon.com/abandoned

New Chinese Ambassador for Sierra Leone

Olusegun Ogundeji — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 14:18:55 +0000

According to a statement from the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) on yesterday, Chinese President Hu Jintao has appointed seven new ambassadors to foreign countries.

Among them is a replacement for its envoy to Sierra Leone, Qiu Shaofang. The newly-appointed ambassador to Sierra Leone is Kuang Weilin.

UN Calls for Immediate Release of Gambia’s missing journalist

Buya Jammeh — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:45:08 +0000

In response to a petition filed by attorneys from Freedom Now and Hogan & Hartson LLP, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has called for the immidiate release of Chief Ebrima Manneh who was kept in communicado three years ago.
In its opinion affirming that the arrest and continued detention of Chief Ebrima Manneh a senior reporter for the Gambian newspaper, Daily Observer, by the Gambian government is without legal justification and violation of international law. In its decision, the UN called for the Gambian government to release Mr. Manneh immediately.
Freedom Now Chair Jeremy Zucker stated: “We are strongly encouraged that the Working Group has issued a clear and direct opinion in support of Mr. Manneh. We urge the Gambian government to release Mr. Manneh immediately.”
On July 7, 2006, two plainclothes agents of Gambia’s National Intelligence Agency arrested Manneh in the Daily Observer’s Banjul office. The agents did not inform Mr. Manneh of the reason for his arrest; whatever the reason, it was clear that he was detained solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression. Mr. Manneh has not been charged with a crime nor given a trial. He remains imprisoned incommunicado, while the Gambian government disavows his arrest and detention.
Reports from Gambia indicate that Mr. Manneh may be subject to deeply inhumane treatment while in detention. According to the U.S. State Department, Gambian security forces have used various forms of physical and mental torture against Gambian political prisoners. In addition, Mr. Manneh has suffered serious health problems during his detention yet has generally been denied access to medical care.
The UN decision is the latest in a growing number of demands for Mr. Manneh’s release. Last year, the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) declared that Mr. Manneh’s detention violates international law. The Court demanded that Gambia release Mr. Manneh and pay damages to his relatives. U.S. Senators Durbin, Feingold, Casey, Murray, Lieberman and Kennedy echoed these demands in an April 22, 2009 open letter to Gambian President Jammeh. The Committee to Protect Journalists also has called for Manneh’s release. To date, the Gambian government has ignored these demands.
In response to the UN decision, Senator Durbin, the Assistant Majority Leader, stated: “This judgment by the United Nations adds a new and important voice to the growing chorus of those calling for the immediate release of Chief Ebrima Manneh who for three long years, has been held incommunicado and without charge or trial. The UN’s judgment is more than a powerful rebuke of the Gambia government; it is a warning to all regimes holding political prisoners without cause. Freedom Now and the Committee to Protect Journalists should be commended for their tireless work, not only on behalf of Mr. Manneh, but for thousands of political prisoners languishing in prisons across the globe.” ´
Senator Russ Feingold, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, stated: “I am deeply troubled that Chief Manneh remains in detention incommunicado and without trial. The UN Working Group has affirmed that this is a violation of the most basic human rights. If the Gambian government does not immediately release Manneh or provide information about his whereabouts, the international community should take action to make clear this is unacceptable.” Freedom Now, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that works to free prisoners of conscience, and Hogan & Hartson, an international law firm, welcome the UN’s decision. They call on the Gambian government to release Mr. Manneh immediately.

US-North Korea fought in Asean Forum

Veby Mega — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:42:45 +0000

United States and North Korea ended up fought each other during Asean Regional Forum (ARF) 16th of Phuket, Thailand and broke the South East Asia alliance wish to bridge their nuclear quarrel.

Thursday (23/7) Ri Hong Sik, Director General for International Organization Cooperation of North Korea Foreign Ministry suddenly ambushed into press conference room that has been prepared for US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Phuket. Ri said he wanted to give a press statement but refused to use the room as soon he knew it was prepared for Clinton. Clinton herself was still having her lunch after ARF meeting, where US and North Korea both members.

Ri walked out and drew all journalists whom were waiting for Clinton, and started his statement in Korean.

“Six parties talks is a dead end and DPRK (North Korea) refused to joint it again because of US political that too hostile,” Ri said, as translated by several Korean journalists. Ri said he is disappointed by Clinton statements in last view days which he recalled as “showing she is no intelligent but act sometimes like a school girl and sometimes like a pensioners who likes to go shopping”.

The six parties talks has been held in years between Russia, England, France, China, US and North Korea, to discuss Pyong Yang nuclear projects. But early 2009, North Korea refused to join the talks again after US pushed UN Security Council on condemning their nuclear missiles potential satellites launch.

The North Korean reaction in Phuket was triggered by Clinton’s statement during her visit in Thailand. Clinton announced CIA findings that believed Myanmar-North Korea military cooperation might lead to nuclear weapon in building, and stated US will push more of economical sanctions if North Korean still refused on denuclearized. On contrary, US offered more incentives if the Kim Jong Il state agreed to do so. But Director General Ri said his country thinks the offer as a lie.

After Ri’s ambush, Friday (23/7) Clinton said US still wish North Korea to join back to 6 parties talks but will prepared themselves for all “defense measurements needed”.

“Unfortunately the north Korean delegation is in consistent position to recognize that north Korean has done no wrong course…I think it’s important to stress that the international community responses to North Korean action has been clear and anonymous that US and its ally can not accept to maintain North Korea to pursue nuclear weapon”, Clinton said.

She stated while waiting for any hope of discussion with North Korea, US will fulfill their obligation to their allies of South Korea and Japan, by increasing any kind of defensive military weapons in Korean Peninsula area.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayudha said during ARF meeting, North Korea has been insisted not to denuclearize based on unfinished status of Korean War. Since 1954, the war has not been ended with any peace treaty, but with cease fire. So legally, both Korea are still in war.

“This is what North Korea constantly uses as their excuse not to denuclearized, because they think they need it to defend them self from US and its allies,” Wirayudha said.

During ARF, Indonesia has met several times with North Korea, and Wirayudha said North Korea agreed to accept Indonesian diplomatic team visiting Pyongyang after Non Aligned Movement meeting in Cairo, Egypt.

“But as like watching people fighting each other, we will wait until the anger gone and try to settle for the right time,” said Wirayudha.

***

Print edition published in Jurnal Nasional, 24th July 2009

Signing Asean agreement, US not to attack Myanmar

Veby Mega — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:24:30 +0000

US government agreed not to use any military force against Myanmar in the future, by letting their Secretary of state Hillary Clinton sign Us-Asean peace treaty of TAC in 42nd Asean meeting in Phuket, Thailand today (22/7).

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hasan Wirayudha said the TAC ratification means Asean dialogue partners like US will have to obey ‘behaviour conduct of rules’ in South East Asia, as to support Asean willingness to create peace and stability in the region.

“By deciding to access or ratify TAC, US promised to themselves not to use violence in solving conflicts (in South East Asia),” said Wirayudha, Tuesday (21/7) in Phuket.

The TAC was agreed in 1976 as Asean peace treaty to against any aggression acts and to built regional stability. Since 1987, the treaty add protocol which allowed dialogue partners to ratify it. Wirayudha said Asean step by step will demand all their dialogue partners to ratify the protocol. Secretary of State Clinton will arrive in Phuket today (22/7) to ratify TAC and to strengthen the idea of US being Asean dialogue partner.

Clinton presence will also brought US concern on Myanmar military puppet trial for opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and North Korea nuclear issue. Suu Kyi is facing trial for 5 years prisons by accepting an American stayed at her home for 2 days. If she found guilty, Suu Kyi might not able to join Myanmar election of 2010.

Human rights expert of International NGO Coalition Rafendi Djamin said westerners should stop trying pressing Myanmar military junta with any economical, military or political pressure.

“Myanmar can not be pressed as what westerners has done now by using political and economical boycotts,” Rafendi said.

Myanmar military junta is being stubborn against westerners economical and political sanctions, by cuddling in to China armpits. China as their biggest economy partner has veto rights in UN Security council and made Myanmar untouchable.

“I think Hillary Clinton acknowledge it very well and therefore with the new administration they had in US, they are willing to do new policy on Myanmar,” said Rafendi.

The US interest has become Asean benefit to force westerners to have diplomacy approach on Myanmar. Tuesday (21/7) Asean Ministerial Forum agreed on Wirayudha’s proposal to be more selective on choosing their dialogue partner in the future and build criteria and law with it. The criteria and law, Wirayudha said, will bring consequences for each countries whom ratify TAC. It will be launched in head states Asean meeting in Bangkok next October. ***

Print edition published in Jurnal Nasional, 22nd July 2009

Russia is coming back to Asean

Veby Mega — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:11:24 +0000

Post Soviet Union falls, the new Russia is eager to rebuild their relationship with Asean, for the sake of expanding its energy investments among South East Asia countries.

During Russia-Asean bilateral meeting in Asean Regional Forum 16th in Phuket, Thailand, Wednesday afternoon (21/7) the Russian delegates insisted on showing their investment interests on gas and renewable energy of South East Asia.

“The relationship has been from long ago but now we are in the new stage, the new era, and Russia is coming back to Asean,” Bakhtier Khakimov, Director of Asia Pacific Cooperation of Foreign Ministry of Russia said. Within these investments talks, Khakimov said Russia and Asean also agreed on building culture centers to draw their people closer each other.

In Soviet Union (USSR) era, Russia did have strong political bounds with Indonesia in Soekarno era and with Vietnam during their war against the United States. But after US back up Soeharto coup in 1965 revealed in success, USSR was losing their valuable bounds with the biggest country in the region. And so on with other Asean’s communist countries after USSR falls. The relationship was in a long coma until 2005, when Asean plus Russia 1st conference was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Among South East Asia region, Khakimov said Russia is putting their priority on building alternative gas pipe line down to China, Japan and the region. The pipe line will aim to Indonesia, which has 43 percent of Asia gas reserve. Khakimov said the Russian hope to able to start building them in 2015 when Asean economy integration begins.

In Indonesia, Russian giant gas company of Gazprom has been actively expanding their investment for LNG for past two years. Their Sakhalin-2 project of US $ 2 billions in 2008 has constantly worries South Korea and Japan of losing their Indonesian LNG share in the future.

Japanese Foreign Minister Spoke person Kazuo Kodama in Phuket, Thailand said his country demands a base rule on world energy market and dialogues among producer and consumer countries to conduct their worries.

“In order to address the energy crisis we may want you to know- even G8 leaders weeks ago realized- that recent global crisis was sudden extended caused by speculative money. So what is really important is to introduce important currency in energy market and also more constructive dialogue between producer and consumer between countries,” said Kodama, Wednesday (22/7) after rejecting to comment directly on Russian energy plans.

While expanding on Indonesian LNG, Russian is actively improving their renewable energy technology among Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. Not only as the richest gas reserve country in the world, Russia also rich on renewable energy potentials such as wind, water, geothermal, biomass and sun. Though, most of Russian energy still depends on oil. Khakimov said Russian government is encouraging their businessmen to invest more on this field in South East Asia.

***
Print edition published in Jurnal Nasional, 23rd July 2009

Long way to fight for Asean’s human rights body

Veby Mega — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:19:13 +0000

Withdrawal is not always means failure. At least that what happened when Indonesia finally withdrew its proposal of Asean Human Rights Body in ministerial forum, after the other nine members constantly against Indonesian idea of strengthen the body.

During 42nd Asean meeting in Phuket, Thailand, Sunday afternoon (19/7), 10 Asean minister finally agreed on regional human rights body draft after Indonesian foreign minister Hasan Wirayudha withdrew Indonesian proposal. Indonesia has become the only Asean country to think the body has no balance, but only to promote human rights without able to give any real protection for the people of South East Asia.

The draft has 14 articles that will promote human rights in South East Asia. But there are only two articles mentioning protection against violations, and they are captured in boundaries of “obtaining information of any violation and to discuss and consult with civil societies”.

“But the civil societies role is also limited with the idea that only Asean accredited groups can join the human rights commissions,” Yuyun Wahyuningrum of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development said. She said all a long, lots of civil societies groups have struggled to investigate human rights violation in Singapore and Cambodia, because the governments rejected them by excuse of “only government accredited civil societies allowed.”

Since June 2008, Indonesia has tried to stand against other nine member countries for the sake of pushing 3 proposals on the body. Indonesia required the body to be able to meet and discuss human rights with other credible institute, to observe the situation and give recommendation, and periodically give reviews. But the idea was rejected. Except Indonesia, other South East Asia countries seem not keen to wash their dirty laundry in front of the public. And it includes Thailand and Philipines whom declare as democracy country and support human rights.

“We most welcome to Indonesian idea and we also, as full pledged democracy. But I think we still have different political regimes of Asean countries and so let’s work together and then so do the best to serve Asean Charter,” Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said. But he said, the draft is balance enough already.

While Philippines delegate spoke person Ed Malay said his country has not ditched Indonesia and left it alone to fight in Asean human rights forum.

“Of course not. We have not been quite. Philippines is one of Asean countries who earlier support Asean human rights body and we have advocated for more portion of protection within the body,” Malay said.”But we are conscius that under Asean we have this evolutionary approach. What is important is for the body to be established first then allow it to grow.” Though Malay stated that Philippines think the draft is balance enough.

Attacked by other nine Asean countries made Wirayudha looked for other way. After 2 hours extended meeting, Wirayudha finally agreed after the forum accepted Indonesian proposal to review the body within 5 years, with a mechanism which will be further discussed.

“To make this human rights body credible in the future, I demanded a must review agreement among members, to establish forward step further for the body. This is the compromise that we make and the floor agreed,” Wirayudha said.

There is still a long road to go. Head of Indonesian Negotiation Team Rachmat Budiman said in next October Asean Summit in Bangkok, Indonesia will again push the 3 proposals to become the new review mechanism.

“We demanded the review mechanism talk will discuss Indonesian proposals only and the floor agreed,” said Rachmat.

***

Print edition published in Jurnal Nasional, 21st July 2009

Tackling the crisis, Indonesia to help least developed

Veby Mega — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:09:58 +0000

Although Indonesia is struggling to press down its 30 percent poverty rate, the government still insists to help Asean least developed countries build their infrastructures for the sake of tackling the global financial crisis.

During 42nd Asean Ministerial Forum in Phuket, Thailand, the director generals for economy cooperation agreed to implement Initiative for Asean Integration (IAI) Saturday night (18/7), which obligated six member countries of Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Philippine to help other least developed members.

“Now a day there is an economical gap between members therefore (Asean) programs which called as ‘narrowing the development gap’ is build. If we want to pursue economical integration in 2015, then we have to do the program,” Director General of Asean Economic Edi Yusuf said after the meeting. He said that by pursuing the integration, it means Indonesia will have stronger market with other Asean countries, and by so will be more immune to global financial crisis. Indonesia, China and India are the only Asians to survive with economical growth by expanding their alternative domestic and abroad markets.

The Asean Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said Asean plan to reach economic integration in 2015, by implementing similar fiscal at all Asean countries, much more simple investment rules among members and strengthen regional banking. This integration he said would encourage more investments among Asean members them self, together with the technological transfer, capital flow and build a strong alternative market. Doing so, Asean wish not to be dragged along with financial crisis every time US and Europe are in trouble.

Took the words out of Edi Yusuf’s mouth, Surin stated the integration can not be achieved if Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) were left least developed.

“Without bridging the (economic) gap Asean will not be in the field of conduct, asean will be divided and the way to have a solid Asean, a prosper Asean, a stable Asean would be eliminating the gap between the old and new members,” Surin said in a press conference Friday (17/7) in Phuket,Thailand.

Edi said Indonesia is preparing infrastructural assistance programs for CLMV which fund will be taken from 2010 national budget. Their will be no certain amount of allocation fund for this, but to have each departments propose their plans to the finance ministry. Edi said the fund also can be taken from Asean dialogue partner loans likewise from Japan and South Korea. Indonesia will meet South Korea to have ministerial bilateral meeting during Asean summit in Pukhet, Thursday (22/7).

Edi said the assistance projects were not new for Indonesia. In 2005, Indonesia has contributed similar infrastructure assistance to Laos, by using Agriculture Ministry budget. Edi said not only for the sake of the economy integration, giving asistances can be helpful for Indonesia in international community.

“If we help them, at least they can be our supporters for what we stand in international communities negotiation process. As we know, lots developed countries in the world build their supporters by giving economical asistances for other countries,” said him.
***

Print edition published in Jurnal Nasional, 20th July 2009

Asean to help hunt Jakarta bomber

Veby Mega — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:56:41 +0000

Indonesian police force and intelligence agents of BIN, may get help from Asean to hunt and track Mega Kuningan bomb suspects, as Asean Ministerial Forum decided in Saturday (18/7).

The agreement was made during Asean Senior Official Meeting and declared statement of condemning Jakarta bombing as solidarity of Asean for the victims and all of Indonesian people. It also stated Asean members countries willingness to help Indonesia countering terrorism.

“As (Indonesian) Foreign Minister asked me to, we are able to push Asean Forum Minister to condemn Jakarta Bomb. I think this is a good thing,” Secretary General of Foreign Ministry Imron Cotan said.

He said this cooperation among Asean countries will encounter intelegent’s networking among Asean countries with all members obligated to joint the war against international terrorism. Imron said further cooperation mechanism will be discussed today Sunday (19/7).

“I expect that we will again talk on cooperation of countering extremism in tomorrow Asean foreign minister meeting,” Imron said in Saturday (18/7).

Major General Ongrad Pongsakdi of Thais military said they have made their intelligence officers alert because of Jakarta bombing. Thailand has been transit country of terrorism suspects to escape to US or Europe, as was happened in August 2003. Mind master of Bali Bomb Hambali A.K.A Riduan Ismamudin was arrested by US intelegent in Bangkok, when he tried to enter Thailand using Spanish passport.

“I can not tell you the details, but I can tell that our intelegent people on field has been alert,” Pongsakdi said, during his inspection of Asean meeting’s security check in Phuket.

Secretary General Imron said help was also offered by European Union at the same day they stated to condemn Jakarta Bombing. Similar response has been declared by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon Friday (17/7) and Imron said it will be soon followed by UN Security Council.

“There has not yet an official statement (to help Indonesia tackling terrorism from Security council) but I can see signs of going there,” Imron said.

****

Print edition was published in Jurnal Nasional, 19th June 2009

Thais General Check on Asean Meeting

Veby Mega — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:51:38 +0000

(Phuket, Jurnal Nasional) With 50 supporters of Thailand ex prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra wondering around in Phuket’s city council, Thais military send theirs high ranks officers to inspect Asean 42nd meeting’s security them self.

Saturday afternoon (18/7) group of Thais air force officers under the lead of Major General Ongrad Pongsakdi arrived at Sheraton Laguna Phuket Hotel. They directly checked each Asean meeting rooms and entries gates for delegates. The security get tighten because Asean ministerial forum will be opened officially by Prime Minister of Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva today (19/7). Thailand seems not eager to have Pattaya tragedy for the second time, when Asean high level meeting in April being ambushed by Thaksin’s red shirt supporters. It made Abhisit and Thais foreign minister has to be evacuated and left other Asean ministers and head of states faced the danger of red shirt violent protest.

“We have checked all kind of preparations, all patrols, securities for meetings and there is no problem,” Ongrad Pongsakdi said.

Tight security has been pledged since 1st July 2009, after PM Abhisit agreed on Internal Security Act for Phuket. The tourism island in southern Thailand is under tight military security from 10-24th July, which applied on all over the island and 5 kilometers off shores.

“It’s different security system now (compare to Pattaya). We got the air force and inspections also done 5 kilometers off shore according to internal security act,” said Ongrad.

Phuket which is been always Abhisit’s democrat party supporters area has chosen to host 42nd Asean Meeting. But with only one entry gate from Thailand mainland guarded by militaries, red shirt protesters somehow still manage to go to Phuket city council and held their banners there.

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Print edition was published in Jurnal Nasional, 19th June 2009