Cambodia pushes for ASEAN seat<\/p>\n
By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat<\/p>\n
PETALING JAYA, Malaysia (JP): Cambodia is still expressing a
\nkeenness to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
\n(ASEAN) immediately, but officials took a wait-and-see approach
\nhere yesterday, saying that a final decision would be taken
\ntoday.<\/p>\n
Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said a formal
\nrequest had been submitted for Cambodia to be admitted today.<\/p>\n
Badawi first said Cambodia had requested admission on the
\n30th, but Malaysia's director general for ASEAN affairs, Abdul
\nMajid Ahmad Khan, late yesterday evening corrected Badawi and
\nsaid the request was for the 23rd not the 30th.<\/p>\n
"We certainly have to discuss the letter," added Badawi who
\ncurrently chairs the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM).<\/p>\n
ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
\nSingapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar are
\nto be admitted in a ceremony today.<\/p>\n
But the recent political takeover by Second Prime Minister Hun
\nSen of First Premier Prince Norodom Ranariddh prompted ASEAN to
\npostpone indefinitely Cambodia's membership.<\/p>\n
ASEAN maintains that the issue now is only the timing of
\nadmission, not membership itself.<\/p>\n
Badawi said yesterday that ASEAN foreign ministers would
\nconvene at noon (11 a.m. Jakarta time) today to hear a report by
\nan ASEAN delegation which met with Ranariddh, Hun Sen and
\nCambodian King Sihanouk. The mission was lead by Indonesian
\nForeign Minister Ali Alatas.<\/p>\n
"Tomorrow will be an opportunity for us to discuss this
\nparticular issue, and at the same time we'll have an opportunity
\nto listen to the ASEAN mission," Badawi said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Alatas was scheduled to arrive here late yesterday evening.<\/p>\n
When pressed further, Badawi refused to speculate what ASEAN
\nwould do. "We will hear the report, whether there was a
\ngovernment in Cambodia when the ASEAN foreign ministers went
\nthere."<\/p>\n
The question of a legitimate government seems to be a crucial
\npoint for the ASEAN foreign ministers. When asked why ASEAN would
\nadmit Myanmar with its alleged human rights abuses and not
\nCambodia, Badawi replied: "We were not sure at the time we made
\nthe decision whether there was a government in Cambodia or not.
\nThat's the difference."<\/p>\n
Officials here confirmed that Cambodian Foreign Minister Ung
\nHuot would attend the AMM meeting as an observer. Ung Huot's
\npresence could be a key factor since he is expected to gain the
\napproval of the Cambodian National Assembly on July 28 as the
\ncountry's first premier.<\/p>\n
Whatever decision is taken today, it could have far-reaching
\nconsequences for both ASEAN's dream of creating a united
\nSoutheast Asia and political developments in Cambodia.<\/p>\n
"It is important in the decision we make that we don't want to
\naggravate the situation further," Badawi said.<\/p>\n
Speaking of positive points in Cambodia, Badawi said many of
\nthe aspects of the political institution remain intact, despite
\nthe political turmoil, such as the constitution, the National
\nAssembly and the monarchy.<\/p>\n
"These are some of the democratic institutional frameworks
\nthat we'd like to see remain ... What we'd like to see is the
\nelection take place next year," he said.<\/p>\n
Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam also pointed to
\npositive domestic developments as a elements to help expedite
\nentry.<\/p>\n
"The more peaceful and stable Cambodia is, the sooner it will
\nbecome a member," he said on his arrival yesterday.<\/p>\n
While the official position is to wait for today's meeting,
\ndelegates privately expressed pessimism Cambodia would be
\nadmitted this week.<\/p>\n
"If the situation improves they could come in at the informal
\nsummit in December," said one delegate.<\/p>\n
ASEAN ministers began arriving yesterday to attend today's
\nofficial admission ceremony of Laos, Myanmar and, if agreed upon,
\nCambodia.<\/p>\n
It is followed tomorrow by the two-day annual AMM. On Sunday
\nASEAN ministers will gather with their dialog partners for
\npolitical security talks in the ASEAN Regional Forum.<\/p>\n
A two-day Post Ministerial Conference will then be held.<\/p>\n
Myanmar -- Page 5<\/p>\n
Communique -- Page 6<\/p>\n
RAC -- Page 10<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/cambodia-pushes-for-asean-seat-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }