Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN)
WEEK 9:
Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN)
INTRODUCTION
The Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality is known as
ZOPFAN. The main purpose is to promote cooperation and integration amongst the
states of Southeast Asia. It ensured that Southeast Asia was not involved in
disputes between major powers during the Cold War. It was established in 1967.
This concept and policy have been announced through the Kuala Lumpur
Declaration on the 27th of November 1971. The declaration had been
signed by ASEAN’s five founding states. It ensures that the Southeast Asia area
does not have foreign military bases. All The Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) countries have accepted this concept and Malaysia has made this
concept the main framework for foreign policy. Then, the importance of ZOPFAN
is to make Southeast Asia a peaceful, independent, and neutral from the
political strife of the great powers, especially the United States, Russia, and
the People's Republic of China. The key strategies that have been formulated
and implemented to achieve the objectives these are obtain the agreement,
recognition, and assurance of the superpowers on the objectives or an attempt
to make. Next, it withdraws foreign troops from the Southeast Asian region in
the long run. Then, it makes the Southeast Asian region a nuclear weapon -free
region.
ASEAN:
STILL THE ZONE OF PEACE, FREEDOM & NEUTRALITY?
“WHAT”
ZOPFAN
developed from a mutual desire among Southeast Asian states for regional
autonomy in the context of a prolonged era of external interference in the form
of Western and Japanese colonisation, including US-Soviet Great Power security
competition. In 1971, establishment of ZOPFAN are gathering among the ASEAN
member. Malaysia had planned neutralisation policy in 1971 that comprise two
components which are seeking explicit guarantees from the United States, the
Soviet Union, and China that they would not involve the region in their
security competition and regional states pursuing policies of non-interference
in each other's internal affairs and avoiding inviting external interference
into Southeast Asia. The TAC, ASEAN's initial peace treaty, incorporated a
number of key concepts that conducted state behaviour. This includes ZOPFAN
aims which are the right of every State free from external interference. During
the Cold War, ASEAN governments highlighted alliances with external Great
Powers such as the United States and China as a method of securing state and
regional security. Furthermore, ASEAN has continued to adopt ZOPFAN in the
post-Cold War period, even going so far as to incorporate and reinforce its key
ideas when it might have been removed totally from the Association's lexicon.
When the state are threatened by external powers, governments have three
options for national security which are security through an international
alliance, security through regional order and collaboration, and security
through non-alignment and neutrality. One of the key challenges with
ZOPFAN was that, as a framework for state interactions, it did not propose any
responsibilities on either ASEAN member states or foreign powers, and hence
lacked operational significance. The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), created in
1994 as ASEAN's post-Cold War vehicle for multilateral security cooperation.
The ARF, which now has 27 members, including the United Nations, China, and all
ASEAN member states, aims to promote constructive communication and
consultation on political and security matters of shared interest and concern.
Recognizing the challenges of maintaining regional autonomy, ASEAN switched
from a position of regional autonomy to one of impartiality in the post-Cold
War period.
“WHY”
‘Pivot’
to Asia strategy that has been proposed by Obama administration is with the
purpose to be a good illustration of ASEANs’ benefits of involvement with US
and at the same time avoiding provoking China. Secretary of State at that time
articulated in a speech in Hanoi, 2010 and was properly drawn by President in
the Australian Parliament. From the data, it shows positive gradual increase
regarding the engagement between US and ASEAN reported from 2009 and onwards. United
States established its first resident representative to ASEAN in 2010, and the
US also engaged with ASEAN members such as, Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia
through TTP. It was the first ASEAN Summit in California held in US and the
summit was attended by all ASEAN leaders with the purpose to enhanced positive
relations with US and balancing good relations with China and Asian
Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) was founded by ASEAN members states to
counter the TTP. In order to solve the territorial dispute between China and
Southeast China Sea and along with to enhance the commitment of regional
security in ASEAN, they use Pivot strategy. The dispute involves Paracel Island
and Spratly Island. These disputes are between China and also involve ASEAN
states such which are Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines and both of Vietnam and
Philippines are the head of these disputes. China-Vietnam relations took a hit
in 2007, when China allegedly coerced a number of energy companies to abandon
offshore gas development activities initiated by Vietnam (Wikileaks, 2007). In
line with Article 287 of United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS), The
Philippines' Aquino administration initiated formal dispute proceedings against
China at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in 2013 to solve up the maritime
dispute with China. ASEAN limitation as one of the conflict resolution actors
had forced Vietnam and Philippines take initiatives which is seeking the external
powers because want to secure and maintain sovereignty and regional security.
The action taken by Philippines and Vietnam are downgrading and threatening to
ZOPFAN that really against ZOPFAN itself. On the other hand, trade competition
between US and China can damaged ASEAN by jeopardizing regional supply chains,
while also contributing to the deterioration of US-China relations. ASEAN that
also engaged with five major trading partners for example Japan, South Korea,
Australia, India and China which is to counteract with US protectionism. The
internal relation was initially stop due to the US allies and China and also
conflict between India and China. Apart from that, they also concern regarding
China will use RCEP to influence Southeast Asia. On the top of that, ASEAN
exercise of seeking guaranties from external countries to secure their regional
and also practice backstop action. This can create harm to other ASEAN members.
The Great Powers have too easily divided ASEAN, and the region has become
increasingly polarized. As a result, ASEAN's ability to respond effectively to
entrenched Great Power security competition while pursuing a ZOPFAN is
questioned. ZOPFAN principle was clearly seems weak and some of ASEAN members
are not followed the core concepts.
THE
FACTORS OF ESTABLISHMENT ZOPFAN
First
and foremost, there is the zone, which includes the territory of the nations
and continents, as well as their populations, governments, and sovereignties.
Individual countries are still able to maintain their sovereignty and autonomy
in each of the zones. Having each member country's distinct advantages in
governance, sovereignty, and people as well as in the country's political,
economic, and social characteristics is critical. For the preservation of each
member state's unique characteristics, a policy of non-interference must be
established, which will allow each nation to create its own way of life without
external influence and will abstain from participating in the issues of those
member states. This is due to the fact that any controlling authority must
guarantee that its people are unified and living in peace in order to assure
the preservation of economic, social, political, and economic interests. When
an issue emerges in a particular nation, that country has the authority to
resolve it in its own unique manner. Due to the lack of intervention from
another member state, Malaysia, which has adopted the Parliamentary Democracy
system despite being a nation with many distinct races and cultures, has been
able to retain unity inside its own borders despite its diverse ethnic and
cultural makeup. In spite of this, Malaysia continues to maintain diplomatic
contacts with other member nations in order to settle issues amicably without
resorting to violence or threats of violence, as well as to effectively
collaborate among member states for the purpose of political and economic
stability.
Secondly,
there is security, which refers to the condition of ordered interactions and
the presence of concord among member nations. Political upheaval and battles
erupted amongst Southeast Asian countries, prompting the establishment of
ZOPFAN. As a result, there will be no more meddling by large-authority states,
and the rights of member countries will no longer be jeopardized. When there is
a confrontation in politics, economy, and other areas between these Member
States and foreign forces, peaceful circumstances will not be possible to
maintain. Keeping issues that may bring member states and major powers
interested in the area within the region is the best way to assure that there
is no ideological, political, economic, military, or social confrontation
between the state zone and outside power. To achieve independence as well as
social and economic well-being, it is necessary to have a sense of security and
stability. For example, the ZOPFAN proclamation has resulted in the elimination
of nuclear weapons in Southeast Asian countries. The Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) is regarded as a nuclear-free zone, with the
characteristics of not possessing, deploying or using nuclear weapons in Southeast
Asia. Because of its size, the government cannot utilize ASEAN as a nuclear
weapon testing facility. Because no nuclear activity is taking place in
Southeast Asia at this time, there will be no conflict, and the peace of member
states may be ensured.
The
third element is freedom, which refers to the freedom of member states from
external control, political countries, other nations, and powers will not be
able to control, rule, or meddle in the conduct of internal or external affairs
of the United Nations Organization (UN Organization). This is due to the fact
that they must settle the internal and external issues of their own nation
using techniques, ideas, concepts, and objectives that are unique to
themselves. If there is a disagreement with a member state, it is vital to try
to resolve it amicably and without resorting to violent means. In this case, it
can be shown that disagreements over border problems, issues involving
separatist groups, and a variety of other difficulties may be addressed amicably
without the need for disproportionate force. No nation or greater force has
been able or enabled to find a reason to intervene in the affairs of Southeast
Asia as a result of this endeavour and resultant success. For example, one of
the ZOPFAN initiatives was the establishment of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)
in 1994, which was established to promote political stability and peace in the
Asia Pacific region. It is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN). One of the fundamental objectives of the ASEAN Regional Forum
was to battle for a political solution in Cambodia that required the withdrawal
of Vietnamese soldiers from the nation and the ability of Cambodians to choose
their own future (ARF). ASEAN member nations have been able to resist the
spread of communist ideology and Domino's theory via the use of ZOPFAN, which
is a gradual and cautious approach to foreign policy. ASEAN was eventually
successful in halting Vietnam and then recognizing ZOPFAN itself, despite
several internal and external challenges and roadblocks along the journey.
Last
but not least, neutrality is intended to ensure that they are not biased in
favour of anyone nation while also avoiding disputes between the major
countries on ideological, political, economic, and military fronts. In order to
prevent Southeast Asian countries from becoming involved in any conflict, a
number of measures have been implemented, including not favoring or engaging
with any of the larger powers and not allowing these larger powers to interfere
in political and military affairs in Southeast Asia, such as the United States,
Russia, China, and Taiwan. Conforming to this philosophy, every nation in the
Southeast Asian area should be permitted to define its own destiny, free of
interference from outside forces. ZOPFAN has obtained recognition and support
from nations in the European Union, the Movement of Independent States (NAM),
the Commonwealth Conference, and a number of other countries, including Japan,
Pakistan, Romania, and the Democratic Republic of Korea, as a result of this
idea. For example, Malaysia maintains good relations with all countries through
a policy of neutrality because the country practices free markets. For example,
the country retains good relations with Britain and America as they're the
country's primary buyers of tin and rubber ore, and the nation is a big
shareholder in the fields of agricultural and industrial.
CONCLUSION
As conclusion, ZOPFAN (Zone of Peace,
Freedom and Neutrality) in 1971 which has declared by ASEAN is very important
as it is a statement of principle of neutrality and implications of security.
This treaty has signed by Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and
Thailand. It is because multilateral security of ASEAN is limited. This treaty
will ensure security of these countries involved more secured. This declaration
is a strategic way to face serious regional conflict and international
interferences of region involved. However, the effectiveness of ZOPFAN was
doubt especially during pandemic Covid-19 where it gives big impact to all
countries in terms of economically, tourism, business etc. The pandemic can be
a threat to this treaty where each country is willing to do anything just to
recover loss and develop economic growth. The tensions between USA and China
seems there is no hope to be solve. This can be a threat to establishment of
this treaty. On top of that, there is a Members of Parliament Pulai has asked
about this treaty which is ZOPFAN are still implemented in our country as Malaysia
who creates it. Then, Members of Parliament Indera Mahkota has replied that
question with sufficient answer where fundamentals and concepts of ZOPFAN are
still implement.
REFERENCES
Nurul, Amaleena. (2013, July 17). ZOPFAN (Zone of Peace,
Freedom & Neutrality). Retrieved from amaleenanurul.blogspot.com:
http://amaleenanurul.blogspot.com/2013/07/zopfan-zone-of-peace-freedom-neutrality.html
Southgate, L. (2021). ASEAN: still the zone of peace, freedom
and neutrality? Political Science, DOI, 1-18. Retrieved from
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00323187.2021.1967762
OhMyParlimen. (2021,
September, 15). “Lama kita tidak dengar konsep ZOPFAN (Kawasan Aman, Bebas
& Berkecuali di Asia Tenggara)”. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiq_QDB0BNc&t=49s
NBT World. (2018, August, 6). ASEAN's Zone of Peace, Freedom and
Neutrality. Streaming service
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lZyNcqDEx8&t=2s
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