First things first; Asean won't thrive on unity alone

Article Abstract:

With one eye on gaining competitors and another on local infrastructure and labor-cost problems, Asean officials are backing three decisions at the regional group's Dec summit in Bangkok. They want to implement the Asean Free Trade Area three years early, by 2000; reach an agreement to liberalize trade in services; and establish Asean-wide protection for intellectual property rights. Analysts doubt the political will is there, but pressure is rising from China and India on one hand and the West on the other.

Analysis, Economic aspects, Political activity, Southeast Asia

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Care to join us? Asean moves to expand its membership

Article Abstract:

Leaders of the Assn of Southeast Asian Nations now hope to include all 10 countries in Southeast Asia within their group by the year 2000, in the wake of a historic gathering at this year's Asean summit in Bangkok in mid-Dec. The body's basic goals and motivations remain divided, however, with Thailand at one extreme pushing a political agenda and Singapore at the other plumping for economic growth and lower trade barriers. Asean will declare itself a nuclear-weapon-free zone at this meeting.

Membership, Political aspects

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