ASEAN emerges stronger after cyclone Nargis, rice crisis

Asia-Pacific News

Jul 8, 2008, 10:49 GMT

Manila - The Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has emerged stronger in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis that whipped Myanmar and the rice crisis that plagued several member countries, a senior official said Tuesday. ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said the quick response of the 10-nation regional group in leading the international humanitarian effort to help millions of cyclone victims gave the grouping 'a sense of community and confidence.' 'The ASEAN was baptized by Cyclone Nargis,' he told reporters in Manila where he was on a visit. 'We have shown to the world that we are an effective organization.' Surin said that an assessment meeting on the ongoing humanitarian efforts in Myanmar, where more than 140,000 people were killed or missing and displaced at least 2 million, was slated next week in Singapore. 'The level of support from the international community is extremely encouraging and giving us encouragement that more can be done not only for the victims of Nargis but also to pockets of poverty and underdevelopment in other ASEAN countries,' he said. Surin also noted that ASEAN's cohesiveness as a group was highlighted with the quick action of rice-exporting countries within ASEAN to help rice-importing countries in the group amid the grain shortage. 'There is enough rice stock to take care of the region and to also share with the world in times of need,' he said. 'The panic is over, the rice (prices) have gone down.' Surin said the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and the rice crisis also provided an impetus for ASEAN members to ratify the group's first rules-based charter. Surin said six ASEAN countries have already ratified the charter and the remaining four countries were expected to ratify it in time for the leaders' summit in Bangkok in November. 'I'm hoping that in Bangkok we will be able to celebrate the full ratification,' he said. ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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ASEAN emerges stronger after cyclone Nargis, rice crisis

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