Rep. Young Kim Questions Expert on ASEAN's Ineffective Role in Myanmar Crisis

ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar

• 💡 The ASEAN five-point consensus, aiming to cease violence, facilitate dialogue, and provide humanitarian aid in Myanmar, has seen little progress on implementation.
• ⚠️ Experts argue the consensus is not viable and was violated by the Burma army from the outset, suggesting it needs to be replaced.

Internal Divisions Within ASEAN

• 🧩 Significant divisions exist within ASEAN, with countries influenced by China, like Cambodia and Lao, blocking consensus.
• 📉 Other countries, such as Thailand and Malaysia, have been hesitant but attempted to do more, highlighting a waffly approach.
• 🚫 ASEAN's principles of consensus and non-interference create structural impediments to a more constructive role.

US Policy and ASEAN's Dysfunction

• 🎯 The US has allowed itself to be held captive by the five-point consensus, making it the driver of US policy on Burma, which is a mistake.
• 🗺️ The US should develop its own policy rather than being downstream of ASEAN's dysfunction.
• 🤝 Efforts should focus on working with ASEAN to strengthen their hand and create pathways for individual members willing to take different actions.

Challenges to Effective Regional Response

• ⏳ The five-point consensus is considered the least common denominator and has not been effectively implemented, a fact ASEAN admits.
• 🔄 A challenge is the turnover of ASEAN special envoys each year, preventing a coherent, strategic, and long-term approach.
• 🌍 The US should encourage ASEAN to recognize the long-term nature of the challenge and provide significant support to effectively address Myanmar's issues and their regional impacts.