Posts and Telecommunications
Cooperation in the area of Posts and Telecommunications ranged from intra-ASEAN development cooperation, like the ASEAN Submarine Cable project to those meant to foster the spirit of cooperation like the ASEAN Letter Writing Competition for Young People.
A significant development during the year was the establishment of the ASEAN Cableship Private Limited (ACPL), registered in March 1986. This is the culmination of the ASEAN Cableship Project. Initially the ACPL would charter a cableship from the existing cableship operators in the region and work in cooperation with them on a mutual support two-ship arrangement. The arrangement is expected to provide ASEAN with ready access to the share of the existing cable maintenance business and enable a transfer of knowhow in submarine cable maintenance to ASEAN at minimal cost. The ACPL would also ensure security to the huge ASEAN investments in the submarine cable network. In the long run the cost of cable maintenance is expected to come within the control of ASEAN instead of being dictated by external factors. The ACPL in expected to provide maintenance services for both ASEAN and other submarine cable systems in the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia and part of the \Nest Pacific Ocean regions.
The ASEAN Submarine Cable Project is now considered as completed. The last segment, Philippines-Malaysia-Thailand, has been deferred to the early 1990's and if implemented will more likely be an optical fibre submarine cable submarine system. The decision was made in view of the rapid development of the optical fibre submarine cable system around the region.
The ASEAN TV-News Exchange Scheme is ready for implementation by the Committee on Culture and Information (COCI). COTAC has already received the approval of the INTELSAT Assembly Parties for ASEAN to use the PALAPA satellite for the scheme. COTAC has formally submitted the project to COC I for implementation by the ASEAN broadcasting authorities.
The Third ASEAN Letter Writing Competition for Young People was successfully conducted by member countries in 1985 with the theme "ASEAN and My Country". The fourth competition is scheduled to be held in 1987.
ASEAN cooperation in the sphere of philately advanced a step further during the period under review. The first ASEANPEX (Stamp Exhibition) was held in Kuala Lumpur in March 1985 and Singapore hosted the second ASEANPEX in March 1986.
Shipping and Ports
The Eighth Meeting of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Shipping and Ports held in Bangkok 3 - 4 January 1986 reviewed the Integrated Work Programme on Shipping (IWPS). The following projects were withdrawn from the IWPS :
(ii) Joint Effort in Procurement of Ship Equipment and Spare Parts.
(iii) ASEAN Complementation Scheme in the Ship-building Industry
(iv) Economizing of Vessel Port Stay
Civil Aviation
The promotion of ASEAN as a tourist destination for ASEAN nationals and the world at large is one of the objectives of the ASEAN Sub- Committee on Civil Aviation and Related Services (ASCCARS). During the period under review, the ASEAN Airlines, as directed by ASCCARS, convened a meeting on January 10, 1985 in Bangkok to review the ASEAN Circle Trip and ASEAN Promotional Fares. The Meeting was also given the task to consider the inclusion of Bandar Seri Begawan as a stop-over point in ASEAN fare packages. The ASEAN Airlines are scheduled to convene another meeting to finalize the package.
In a related field, the ASEAN Airlines continued to pursue the long outstanding issue with Lufthansa. A meeting between ASEAN Airlines and Lufthansa was held in Frankfurt on October 22, 1985, but failed to revolve the issue.
ASCCARS has directed the ASEAN Airlines to convene another meeting with Lufthansa before July 1986. If the proposed meeting fails to produce satisfactory results or if it cannot be held before July 1986, a comprehensive report will be submitted to COTAC for a fresh mandate and course of action.
In response to ASEAN states' request for greater improvement of Air Traffic Services (ATS) coordination procedures, routes and flight level allocation scheme in the area of the South China Sea Contingency Arrangements, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) approved ATS Route R93 MAARI/NOBOK and implemented it on July 4, 1985. The ATS R93 MAARI/NOBOK has since then improved the flight level allocation scheme, and reduced departure delays at Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Hongkong airports. ATS Route R93 has also relieved congestion on ATS Route R85 and eased the pressure on ATS Route R66 Danang-Lubang resulting with more flights being accommodated at optimum/economic flight levels.
Three more bilateral agreements on search and rescue services were in the final stages of being concluded i.e. Indonesia-Thailand; Malaysia - Philippines; and Indonesia - Philippines. Under the project a network of bilateral agreement is required to implement the ASEAN Multilateral Agreement for the Facilitation of Search and Rescue of Survivors (SAR) in Aircraft Accidents signed in 1972.
Land Transport
The Eighth Meeting of the ASEAN Sub-Committee on Land Transportation in Kuala Lumpur, 28 - 30 October 1985, reviewed the activities of the Sub-Committee. During the period under review, the Agreement on the Recognition of Domestic Driving Licences issued by ASEAN Countries was signed by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers on July 9, 1985. Member countries are in the process of ratifying it. The enforcement of the Agreement would simultaneously implement the Integrated Work Programme on Land Transportation (IWPLT) project on an "English Translation for Domestic Drivers Licences of the ASEAN Region".
With the objective of providing more information to ASEAN motorists, Malaysia will publish an Information Booklet on Domestic Driving Licences and to be issued during 1986. The information booklet will contain the complete classification of domestic driving licences issued.
The IWPLT Project Study Tour for Land Transportation and Highway Officials was found to be very useful in providing opportunities for ASEAN transport officials to meet and exchange experiences. The first series of five study tours has been completed and the second series began in 1986.
ASEAN Cooperation in rail transport has been pursued through the annual meeting of the ASEAN Railway General Managers' Conferences (ARGMC) the latest being held in April 1986. The ARGMC has dwelt in depth on the management, development and technical aspects of railway administrations. The ARGMC has provided a very useful forum for ASEAN railway administrations to exchange views, to find solutions to common problems and to chart new areas of cooperation and upgrade the efficiency of railway services in ASEAN.