ASEAN lacks experience in conflict management, especially with regard to the use of military power in the process"Singapore (ANTARA News) - Former Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla has stated that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) needs to get better in the area of conflict management.
Speaking during the Regional Outlook Forum 2013 at Shangri-la Hotel in Singapore on Thursday, he said: "ASEAN lacks experience in conflict management, especially with regard to the use of military power in the process."
The event was organized by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS).
Kalla, who is now the chairman of Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), said many countries in the region had yet to give priority to the development of a military force.
"This might be due to the fact that ASEAN has always focused on the non-military aspect of conflict resolution," he pointed out.
Kalla stated that the South China Sea conflict, which involves not only China and Taiwan but also four ASEAN countries, should be handled properly.
"There are a lot of challenges in the region that can be discussed in many ways," he said.
Kalla arrived in Singapore on Wednesday, on a two-day visit, at the invitation of the Instute Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), Singapore.
During the visit, he held meetings with Singapore`s Deputy Prime Minister, Teo Chee Hean, Foreign Minister K Shanmugam, and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
(O001/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
