Surin Pitsuwan: GENEROSITY, LESS MILITARY, HELP FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA WILL AID US-MUSLIM RELATIONS

Date: 08-05-2002

HONOLULU -- The United States should look to Southeast Asia's Muslim nations to help bring democracy and diversity to Muslim countries elsewhere in the world, a Thai diplomat said today at an East-West Center forum of 25 senior U.S. and Asia-Pacific policy makers and academics.

Surin Pitsuwan, Thai foreign affairs minister from 1997-2001 and currently a member of parliament, also called for more U.S. investment in "human resources," proposing a type of Marshall Plan for Muslim nations. "America has become distrustful of the world. Before Sept. 11, there was more compassion and magnanimity...Roping countries into a security network and focusing on suppression will not bring the results the world expects."

Pitsuwan called Muslim nations in Southeast Asia more moderate, diverse, democratic and economically successful than those in the Middle East and elsewhere. "Diversity and openness in Muslim countries is a must," said Pitsuwan, a Muslim and specialist on Islamic philosophy and law. "Southeast Asia is ready to contribute but it will require less military force, and more good will, compassion and generosity."

Pitsuwan spoke at the East-West Center's annual Senior Policy Seminar, which started today. Discussions at the forum, which also includes foreign policy and defense officials, are focusing on terrorism and U.S.-Asia relations since Sept. 11 as well as other economic, social and strategic issues.

Pitsuwan said the "ground is prepared for more dialogue" in Southeast Asia, pointing to the anti-terrorism declaration signed by members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.

But he emphasized the need for more cultural exchanges and understanding of the diversity in the Muslim world. "I'm concerned the United States doesn't grasp the level of passion and emotionalism in the Middle East" about the Arab-Israeli conflict and other issues.

Pitsuwan said an Islamic resurgence today is based on reaction against globalism and a sense of failure in a once flourishing Islamic civilization. "The United States can help intellectually stimulate and regenerate Islam back into a flourishing Islam" along with developing a coalition against terrorism.

"America and the West together can help bring about a true renaissance in the Muslim world, much like the Arabs helped usher in the Renaissance to Europe...The United States is willing to listen and to exchange ideas. I think there will be lots of this going into the anniversary of Sept. 11."

Other participants at the Senior Seminar include James Kelly, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs; Thomas Hubbard, U.S. Ambassador to South Korea; Alok Prasad, deputy chief of mission at the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C.; Yue Xiaoyong, head of the Political Office at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.; Yoshiji Nogami, former vice minister, Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Thomas Foley, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan.

To contact Surin Pitsuwan, email pitsuwan@hotmail.com

This is an East-West Wire, copyright East-West Center