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As superpowers eye the Mekong, Thailand should act
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation. July 30, 2009
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/topstory/30108683/ As-superpowers-eye-the-Mekong-Thailand-should-act
Recent diplomatic activity in the Mekong basin should not be
underestimated by policy makers in Bangkok. The major superpowers have
given their attention to the region and there could be significant
development in the region's geo-politics. US Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton concluded a meeting with her counterparts from
Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam last week, back-to-back with the
Asean ministerial meeting in Phuket.
Although the first US-Lower Mekong Ministerial Meeting produced no
breakthrough, Clinton has shown Washington's commitment to expanding
cooperation in environment, health, education and infrastructure
development.
In a joint statement after the meeting, Clinton underlined the
importance of the Mekong region and its individual countries to the US
commitment to advancing peace and prosperity.
Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith
said Mekong basin countries wanted to see regular gatherings of
ministers from the region and the US - if possible back-to-back with
the Asean annual meetings.
Ministers of both sides agreed on the Mekong River Commission and the
Mississippi River Commission pursuing a "sister river" partnership to
share expertise and best practices in climate change adaptation; flood
and drought management; hydropower and impact assessment; water demand
and food security; water resource management, and other common
concerns. They agreed senior officials and experts would discuss
specific activities for cooperation and follow-up.
The initiative opened up room and roles for the US to play in the
Mekong region it left after the Vietnam War in 1975, the war which
created pain for Americans for years.
Laos's minister played it down. But it's understandable Clinton's
initiative for a role in the Mekong basin would impact China which has
boosted its place in the region for decades.
China regarded the Mekong basin as its backyard and backdoor to
Southeast Asia -developing its stretch of the Mekong River for
hydropower production and navigation since the early 1990s to connect
with Southeast Asia. China has poured much into infrastructure
development in the Mekong basin, including a road construction via
Northern Laos to Thailand. Chinese leaders have their regular meetings
with counterparts at minister and leader level under the Greater
Mekong Sub-region (GMS) scheme.
Not only China, but also Japan has increased its role in Mekong basin
development for a long time. Tokyo has formed regular meetings with
foreign ministers of Mekong basin countries since last year - the
first in Tokyo in January. The second ministerial meeting is due in
Cambodia's Siem Reap in October and Japan has proposed a summit
meeting later this year.
Japan engaged the Mekong basin in the context of Asean, aiming to
bridge the development gap between old Asean members and new members
Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, known in Asean language as CLMV [M
stands for Myanmar - Burma].
Unlike the US, China and Japan accept Burma in the cooperation plans,
despite the junta-run regime's political difficulties.
Fortunately, Thailand was not left behind - and Thai ministers have
seats in all meetings between the Mekong countries and the US, China
and Japan.
However Bangkok needs a clear strategy for its association. Thailand
has not the same status as other countries in the Mekong region
because of its advanced economy and position as Asean founding member.
Thailand is no longer a recipient but a regional donor country which
has consistently played a significant role in Mekong basin
development.
Previous governments positioned the country as coordinator of several
cooperative and development schemes in the region, linking the
superpowers and the Mekong countries.
The current government does not make clear whether it would maintain
such a position. Its role was not high profile in the US-Lower Mekong
cooperation - and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said he has no
strategy for the Japan-Mekong ministerial meeting in Siem Reap in
October.
It is not too late to fine tune a strategy for any Mekong basin
movement, but the time is not plentiful either. Many countries have
begun to move. |
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