ASEAN envoys start talks with Ranariddh<\/p>\n
BANGKOK (Agencies): Cambodia's ousted First Prime Minister
\nPrince Norodom Ranariddh began talks with envoys from the
\nAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) yesterday, which
\nhas launched shuttle diplomacy aimed at resolving Cambodia's
\nlatest crisis.<\/p>\n
Prince Ranariddh was to meet Thai Foreign Minister Prachuab
\nChaiyasarn, his Indonesian counterpart Ali Alatas, and Philippine
\nForeign Minister Domingo Siazon.<\/p>\n
Sam Rainsy, leader of the unrecognized opposition Khmer Nation
\nParty, said he had spoken to the prince before the talks,
\npredicting Second Prime Minister Hun Sen's government would fold
\nunder pressure from abroad and financial constraints at home.<\/p>\n
"I think Hun Sen will see the light to accept a reasonable
\nsolution soon. His administration cannot survive with the
\ninternational community and the donor countries against him," Sam
\nRainsy said.<\/p>\n
Sam Rainsy said there was no need for an armed solution to
\nCambodia's problems, predicting international pressure and the
\nfreezing of aid would force Hun Sen to find a peaceful solution.<\/p>\n
The three ASEAN ministers flew into Bangkok after meeting
\nThursday with Cambodia's King Norodom Sihanouk in Beijing, where
\nthe monarch is recovering after receiving medical treatment.<\/p>\n
They are due in Phnom Penh today for talks with Hun Sen.
\nPrince Ranariddh arrived from Europe, where he was visiting
\nearlier this month when Hun Sen effectively seized power after
\nheavy street fighting in the capital.<\/p>\n
In Phom Penh Cambodian Foreign Minister Ung Huot, nominated to
\nbecome Cambodia's first prime minister, has asked ASEAN to admit
\nthe strife-torn nation to the regional grouping at its annual
\nforeign ministers' meeting next week.<\/p>\n
ASEAN postponed Cambodia's entry to the grouping indefinitely
\nlast week in response to Hun Sen's ousting on July 6 of his
\ncoalition partner, Ranariddh.<\/p>\n
Ung Huot, in letters to the seven ASEAN foreign ministers,
\ncopies of which were released by his ministry yesterday, said
\nCambodia was now politically stable and should be admitted to
\nASEAN at their meeting in Kuala Lumpur on July 23 as originally
\nplanned.<\/p>\n
"I firmly hope to meet your kind consideration to admit the
\nKingdom of Cambodia as a member of ASEAN on 23 July, 1997, as
\n(had) been decided at the Special Meeting of ASEAN foreign
\nministers on 31 May 1997," the letter said.<\/p>\n
Ung Huot told his counterparts that members of Ranariddh's
\nFUNCINPEC party and Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party agreed to
\nnominate him first prime minister, replacing the ousted prince.<\/p>\n
The nomination was approved by Hun Sen's party but the United
\nStates has refused to recognize it, saying there was not evidence
\nthat Ung Huot's selection was made on a free and fair basis.<\/p>\n
Hun Sen shrugged off mounting international efforts to solve
\nhis country's political crisis yesterday and told foreigners,
\nincluding ASEAN, to stay out of his affairs.<\/p>\n
He said he would meet three ASEAN envoys today, but appeared
\nweary of their diplomatic efforts.<\/p>\n
"If they don't let us join ASEAN, we won't join. If we don't
\njoin ASEAN, it won't be the death of us," he said.<\/p>\n
ASEAN said last week it still recognized Ranariddh as first
\nprime minister.<\/p>\n
ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
\nSingapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Burma and Laos will become full
\nmembers next week.<\/p>\n
Royalists -- Page 13<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/asean-envoys-start-talks-with-ranariddh-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }