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South East Asia, a Zone of Peace, Freedom & Neutrality?

(This article is reproduced from the circular (May 19) of Malayan Information Centre (Sydney)).

The successful conclusion of the national war of independence and liberation in Vietnam was greeted by the Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, with the suggestion that Asean (Association of South-East Asian Nations: consisting of Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and the Phillipines) be extended to include Cambodia and South Vietnam. This suggestion was made at a meeting of Foreign Ministers from Asean held in Kuala Lumpur from 14-16 May. The meeting of foreign ministers also decided to hold a summit meeting of Asean in July in Indonesia. The summit meeting is expected to sign a 'treaty of amity and co-operation' for the implementation of an Asean declaration that South-East Asia be made a 'zone of peace, freedom and neutrality.'

This Asean declaration was moved by Tun Razak to give Malaysia a new image as a 'progressive, non-aligned nation, irrevocably opposed to imperialism, colonialism, racism and firmly committed on the side of the liberation movements in their struggle for freedom and dignity.' Is this Asean declaration a reality, or is it just a big myth?

To answer this, one must ask oneself, 'why was the Vietnam War fought in the first place?' The answer given by William Bundy, foreign policy advisor to presidents Kennedy and Johnson, came closest to the truth when he said, 'On a wide view, buying time for the nations of South-East Asia to stabilize their governments was the major reason for actions. Thus there is a faint consolation in the fact that such countries as Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia are not in all that bad shape.' (Time, 12 May. 1975.) In other words, Vietnam was fought to stop the communists at the 17th parallel.

Why stop the communists at the 17th parallel and stabilize the governments of South-East Asia? The answer, to protect western economic interests in Se Asia, an area rich in natural resources and cheap labour. Malaysia and Indonesia alone, produce over 70% of the world's tin ore and natural rubber. Besides tin and rubber, there are large deposits of iron ore, bauxite, tinanium and oil. All these commodities are needed in western industries. It is therefore in te the interests of the west (especially the US and Britain) to make sure that only sumpathetic regimes exist in South-East Asia—in other words, to make sure that Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Phillipines, are nothing but neo-colonies of western imperialism.

In Malaysia, after 18 years of independence, the economy is still under foreign control (mainly by British, American and Japanese companies).

Foreign capital accounted for about 61% of the total share capital of limited companies; 75.3% of the rubber industry; and 72.4% of the mining industries. Repatriation of profits abroad by foreign companies comes to about $400 million to $500 million a year. The result of foreign domination is the increasing gap between the rich (the minority) and the poor (the majority). Repression in Malaysia is also on the increase. This pattern of foreign domination and its results are repeated in Singapore, Indonesia and the Phillipines.

The economies of Malaysia and the other Asean countries are geared towards the interests of western imperialism. Can a country which is economically foreign dominated maintain its independence and neutrality? The answer to this question can only be in the negative. The Asean countries cannot be neutral as the situation now stands.

Another factor interfering with the neutrality of South-East Asia, is the presence of foreign bases. There are still military bases in Thailand, and the Phillipines. These bases were used extensively during the Vietnam War. There are also foreign bases in Malaysia and Singapore, provided for in the Five Power Defence Agreement. As in Seato, the Five Power Defence Agreement was set up for the 'stability' of South-East Asia. Therefore. Seato and the Five Power Defence Agreement, were set up to protect the western economic interests. Australia and New Zealand are part of these two defence agreements, and have given substantial military aid to Malaysia and Singapore.

Does the defeat of US imperialism in Vietnam and Cambodia, mean the end of imperialism and neo-colonialism in South-East Asia? The answer must again be in the negative, as amplified in Bundy's statement and Ford's defence line.

The Asean declaration that South-East Asia be a zone of peace, freedom and neutrality is, therefore, nothing but a big myth. This declaration can only be realized when Malaysia and the other Asean countries get rid of their foreign military bases, revoke all their repressive laws and become economically independent—that is becoming 'master of one's own destiny, not its slave.'

If NZ and Australia are interested in the Asean declaration, then they must get out of Seato, the Five Power Defence Agreement, stop all military aid to Malaysia/Singapore and other Asean countries, put pressure on the US to get out of Asia, and accept the political and economic independence of South-East Asia.

'Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom!'