Alatas to depart for Phnom Penh<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas will
\nleave for Phnom Penh this morning as a first step in ASEAN's
\nrenewed efforts to help resolve the turmoil in Cambodia.<\/p>\n
The aim of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
\nmission is to speak with the country's Second Prime Minister Hun
\nSen, Alatas said.<\/p>\n
\"On this occasion we will convey our ideas to Prime Minister
\nHun Sen and offer our contribution to resolve the crisis there,\"
\nhe said after speaking with the President at Merdeka Palace.<\/p>\n
\"What's important is that Hun Sen has agreed to listen to
\nASEAN's views because he previously regarded our view as an
\ninterference into Cambodia's internal affairs.\"<\/p>\n
Alatas, as head of the team, will be joined in Phnom Penh by
\nPhilippines foreign minister Domingo L. Siazon, and Thailand
\nforeign minister Prachuab Chaiyasarn.<\/p>\n
The three foreign ministers, as members of ASEAN, will offer
\ntheir help to restore political stability in Cambodia.<\/p>\n
Today's departure brings new hope as previous efforts were
\nrebuffed by Hun Sen.<\/p>\n
The political strife in Cambodia erupted early last month when
\nHun Sen's troops attacked those loyal to First Prime Minister
\nNorodom Ranariddh, who subsequently fled abroad.<\/p>\n
The turmoil forced ASEAN to postpone the inclusion of Cambodia
\nas a member.<\/p>\n
During their first visit to Phnom Penh the ASEAN mission
\nreceived a cold shoulder from Hun Sen.<\/p>\n
However during the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Malaysia last
\nweek, Cambodian foreign minister Ung Huot indicated Hun Sen would
\nnow be more receptive. This was further confirmed in a letter on
\nTuesday saying that Hun Sen now welcomed ASEAN's role.<\/p>\n
Backing<\/p>\n
ASEAN -- which incorporates Brunei, Indonesia, Laos,
\nMalaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
\nVietnam -- has received backing from many countries including
\nChina, Japan and the United States.<\/p>\n
Alatas yesterday refused to elaborate further on the proposals
\nto be tabled, saying it would be premature.<\/p>\n
\"In our first meeting with Hun Sen we did not have the
\nopportunity to convey our ideas because he had said he it was an
\ninternal affair and they could solve it among themselves.\"<\/p>\n
He indicated that if progress was made in the meeting, the
\nASEAN mission would meet with King Norodom Sihanouk and
\nRanariddh.<\/p>\n
\"If we can reach some meeting points and progress with Hun
\nSen, then we must talk again with the Prince and the King,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Depending on the results of the talks in Phnom Penh, a special
\nASEAN meeting might be convened.<\/p>\n
\"It is possible,\" Alatas said. \"But we could (also) possibly
\ndo it by faxes. At this stage however we want to concentrate on
\nthe meeting itself.\"<\/p>\n
The mixed signals coming from Phnom Penh continued yesterday
\nas foreign minister Ung Huot expressed both welcome and caution.<\/p>\n
\"The role of ASEAN that we have welcomed is to find the
\nsolutions for peace and stability in Cambodia,\" he said as quoted
\nby AFP.<\/p>\n
\"We invited them to come, (but) no one country in the world
\nwants another to interfere in its internal affairs,\" he said.
\n(prb)<\/p>\n
Cambodia -- Page 2<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/alatas-to-depart-for-phnom-penh-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }