Thailand will not rock Asean charter

The assembly will put the charter on its agenda for a reading by the first week of November and it is expected to pass the three readings without delay, said the official on condition of anonymity.

It will be ready in time for Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont as the head of the government to join the other nine members of the group at the signing ceremony scheduled for November 20 in Singapore, he said.

The government has no intention of making Bangkok the signing place for the charter as widely understood, the official said.

"Of course, Bangkok is the birth place of the Asean 40 years ago, as the 1967 declaration was signed here but it is unnecessary to sign the charter in Bangkok. For the spirit of the regional grouping, we will do everything possible to get it signed during the coming summit in Singapore," the official said.

Officials at the Foreign Ministry have worked intensively with the NLA's Foreign Affairs and People Participation Committees since May to ensure that the NLA members would have clear understanding on the charter.

"We don't expect the NLA will oppose the charter as it is our obligation and mission to establish Asean as a rulebased organisation," the government official said. 

Thailand was the first of the ten members seeking endorsement from the Cabinet and the legislative body after the High Level Task Force on the Drafting of the Asean Charter wrapped up the final draft of the charter in Vientiane last week.

Concerns over the delay of the Asean charter were raised last week as the out going Asean Secretary General Ong Keng Yong cautioned that requirements by Thailand's 2007 Constitution might obstruct the signing.

Article 190 states that prior to the signing of any pact with foreign countries or international organisations, which might significantly affect national security, the economy and civil society, the Cabinet needed a public hearing and approval from Parliament.

The essence of the Asean charter has been publicised and discussions have been held in the capital and major provinces including Chiang Mai and Chonburi, the official said.

Secretary Ong also expressed his concern that the signing could also be delayed if Burma's leader was absent from the summit.

However, according to the latest information, a meeting in Vientiane with the ongoing joint commission for the summit's preparation, indicated that the Burmese leader would be in Singapore for the summit next month, a diplomatic source said.

The charter is a significant step for the 40 yearold regional grouping to move towards a European style of community, turning the group from an adhoc body to a rulebased organisation with more focus on human rights and a clearer structure.

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation