In its first years ASEAN achieved little in economics but helped stop quarrels, such as over Sabah, from becoming wars.
ASEAN's early years were slow, and people called it the "Foreign Ministers' Club". Its main success was stopping things going wrong. Regular meetings kept quarrels between two members from turning into fighting.
The Sabah dispute tested it. In 1968 the Philippines and Malaysia quarrelled over the Philippine claim, and broke off relations. ASEAN meetings were disrupted. The USA chose to stay out, so that ASEAN members would handle their own affairs. Relations were restored in 1969.
In November 1971, ASEAN set the aim of a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN). Members hoped to keep the great powers from meddling in the region. The USA was cutting back its role in Asia and opening ties with China.
During the Second Indochina War, ASEAN took no military role as a group. Members acted differently. Thailand and the Philippines sent troops to help the USA in Vietnam, while Indonesia stayed non-aligned. ZOPFAN stayed a hope rather than a fact.
- Foreign Ministers' Club
- Nickname for the early ASEAN.
- Sabah dispute
- 1968-69: Philippines and Malaysia suspend relations.
- ZOPFAN
- Kuala Lumpur, November 1971.
Worked example: ASEAN's responses during the Second Indochina War
How did ASEAN respond to the Vietnam War?
- Collectively: no military role; ZOPFAN in 1971 as a long-term aim.
- Individually: Thailand and the Philippines supported the USA; Indonesia was non-aligned.
- Why: ASEAN's objectives and members' different national interests.
- Judgement: a cautious, limited response reflecting ASEAN's weakness.
Watch out for this
ZOPFAN made Southeast Asia neutral in 1971.
ZOPFAN was a declared aim. Foreign bases and alliances remained, so the region did not become neutral.
Check your understanding
What did ZOPFAN aim to do?
- Keep Southeast Asia free from great-power interference
- Create an ASEAN army
- Join the Warsaw Pact