batik
Cambodia and Thailand – Our favorite soft authoritarian, Cambodian PM Hun Sen is back at it. Just when you thought they were on the road to peace, Hun Sen has ordered Cambodian troops and police to fire on anyone crossing “illegally” into the area around the Preah Vihear Temple. This was Hun Sen’s response to a Thai opposition party, the People’s Alliance of Democracy (also known as Yellow Shirts), attempts to occupy it. There have not been reports of conflict in the area since last April, when Cambodia and Thai troops exchanged gun and rocket fire. Couldn’t Mr. Hun order the protesters arrested and deported since they have not showed an inclination for violence? Those who criticize ASEAN for not coming down harder on member states over international human rights issues should take note of how easily nationalism can get out of control in the region. This is why ASEANs position is pragmatic.
Indonesia and Malaysia – Indonesia has officially won the nationalist battle over the batik. UNESCO has officially recorded Indonesia’s method of making batik as a “Intangible Cultural Heritage”. This does not exclude Malaysia from claiming its technique for making the fabric; however; Indonesian nationalists are strutting triumphantly as if this is validation of their allegations of cultural theft against Malaysia. It seems that the political leadership is encouraging this; however, this may be an attempt by the government to appease nationalist and calm the situation. Yes, I know this is wishful thinking.
The Philippines: Opposition politicians are in an uproar over the 3,000 U.S. soldiers deployed the Philippines for humanitarian relief in the wake of Typhoon Ketsana. This increased the number of U.S. troops in-country by 5Xs. Two American soldiers were recently killed by a roadside bomb during the government counter-insurgency against Abu Sayyaf on the island of Sulu. As a result of these events, these politicians are calling for the Arroyo Administration to renegotiate the 10 year-old Philippines-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), as they believe that U.S. troops are violating Filipino law by actively taking part in military missions against Muslim separatists in the Southern Philippines, instead of serving in a training capacity. They also alleged the additional troops will be transferred to conflict areas as soon as typhoon relief has ended. The U.S. government denies it is involved in fighting in the Philippines. The Filipino military has also stated that the Americans who were killed “were ‘non-combatants’ overseeing the construction of a US-funded school building, road and water system projects in Sulu”. If you believe that I have an igloo in the Sahara Desert to sell you. Meanwhile, Abu Sayyaf is pushing back with the use of more bombs and rocket propelled grenade attacks. Abu is also increasing their recruitment by filling their ranks with more radical young men from local tribes.
