ASEAN must be more assertive on the international stage. If the Southeast Asian nations are to be taken seriously about becoming a regional community, they must speak up and be heard, says Dr. Soedradjad Djiwandono. The following are his responses to questions on the status of ASEAN's readines to become an economic community:

Is ASEAN integrated enough to become an economic community in four years time?

It is difficult not to make any reference to