Asian alliance

Philippines President Macros is not the first Asian leader to propose an Asian alliance on the lines of the European Economic Community for integrated regional economic planning and development. Ideas in this regard have often been floated and they still remain on paper. The President suggested the formation of an “organisation of Asian unity” (or an organisation of Asian States) while opening the eighth annual Asian Development Bank Governors’ conference in Manila. He said such an organisation could act as a guarantee that “no one shall develop at the expense of another, and that the endowments of some shall benefit not just a few, but all”. He added: “It shall provide that measure of security not only in political but in economic terms as well for which all of Asia has yearned for so long.” These are laudable sentiments which unfortunately are far detached from the existing political reality in the region. Asia is not Europe, where regional cooperation has developed for political security or economic reasons. A sense of Asianness was of course manifested at the Asian Conference in Delhi in 1947 and at other times. Nevertheless, ‘One Asia’ has been nothing but a utopian concept because of ethnic, political, ideological and religious reasons. To say this is not to decry the basis soundness of Marcos’ suggestion. Indeed, a beginning can be made in that direction. The time is opportune. The Americans are winding up their controversial role in Indo-China. Asian nations can now profitably learn to help themselves instead of looking to one big power or the other. This is a region where nationalism is still a strong force.