Thank you for the feedback. But let's face it,ASEAN is quite
ineffective in reigning in its members.Just look at Burma.Its an
embarassment to ASEAN and on the world stage showed how bloody
ineffective it is as an organisation. It has ensured stability in
the past but in times of crisis requiring action?
And my original question was would you support punitive
military actions?Personally I would but what is
your opinion?This is a potential
crisis,so its just speculation,but still,the way they play race
politics is not something to take lightly.
For diplomacy with other large organisations it gives us
leverage but when it comes to intra-ASEAN diplomacy it would be
better to take calculated risks from a position of strength when
dealing with Malaysia and Indonesia.
As for Cambodia,while there was a general isolation of Vietnam
(which suffered from punitive
military actiob by China in 1979 during that time),there was
increased aid to Thailand for its military and refugees as a
result,as well as rumoured unofficial presence of some of our
troops there. We took a role in diplomatically isolating Vietnam
and sanctioning them,because it was in our interest then to do so
and look after the sovereignity of small nations.
Its not so simple u have PRC as a influential player in the
region now, and the elements of communist is no longer
view as a threat,
ASEAN lack resolve to solve regional problems it
would prefer to let things evolve and keep the grouping as lay
back entity. Maybe that is the inheritant culture.
If chinese kept getting beat up situation got worst
and never address the root problems of racial tension but just
burried the suspisicion. You will see PRC propaganda
intervene. So at the end of the day Singapore wil be better
off neutral and project as a more western and educated states
that give a sense of equalities.
Well u know what amazed me is that the Social geopolitics in Sg n
MY have not changed after 40 yrs of independent. especially we
had the 2nd n 3rd generation growing up in the region
post independent.