Cambodia's ASEAN entry still hang in the balance<\/p>\n
By Meidyatama Suryadiningrat<\/p>\n
HANOI (JP): The question of Cambodia's admission into ASEAN
\nhung like a dark cloud as ministers concluded their meetings on
\nSunday, with concerns growing that setting too many criteria for
\nentry could undermine the grouping's revered principle of
\nnonintervention.<\/p>\n
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen arrived in the Vietnamese
\ncapital on Sunday morning in what could be a last ditch attempt
\nto lobby leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
\n(ASEAN) to accept his nation as a full member by the end of their
\ntwo-day summit which opens on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Asked by reporters if Cambodia would gain entry at the summit,
\nHun Sen said: \"Yes, I hope so... We want to join ASEAN soon but
\nit is beyond my capacity.\"<\/p>\n
Hun Sen, on a state visit to Vietnam, said he would stay on
\nfor the summit, which comes at a critical time for ASEAN's
\nstruggling economies.<\/p>\n
Cambodia was set to join ASEAN last year, but the grouping
\ndeferred the entry after Hun Sen ousted co-premier Prince Norodom
\nRanariddh in July 1997.<\/p>\n
However, following elections last July and the formation of a
\nnew coalition last month, Cambodia has expressed hope it could
\nfinally become part of the regional association comprising
\nBrunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,
\nSingapore, Thailand and Vietnam.<\/p>\n
ASEAN foreign ministers remained split on the timing of
\nCambodia's admission and decided to defer on the issue to their
\nleaders.<\/p>\n
Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines are calling for a
\ndelay of Cambodia's admission, fearing a renewed resurgence of
\nhostilities.<\/p>\n
According to officials, the question was not discussed further
\nduring Sunday's final round of meetings.<\/p>\n
Intervention<\/p>\n
Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas warned that placing too
\nmuch weight on the state of domestic affairs could be construed
\nas meddling in another country's internal policies.<\/p>\n
\"There are a number of countries who believe that by
\nfulfilling the main criteria of forming a coalition government,
\nthen there should not be any further impediments to accepting
\nCambodia at this present juncture. But there are others who would
\nlike to wait and see,\" Alatas said during a briefing with
\nIndonesian journalists late Saturday.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia believes that being cautious is good, but if it is
\nlinked to the admission of a country as a member of ASEAN, if we
\nare not careful, it could be construed as placing conditions
\nwhich are really domestic affairs.\"<\/p>\n
ASEAN has long held the principle of nonintervention as a
\nguiding premise in its relations.<\/p>\n
It defied strong international criticism by admitting Myanmar
\nlast year, saying such matters as human rights abuses were
\ninternal issues of the Yangon regime.<\/p>\n
\"We should be careful. It's as if now we are making an
\nevaluation of a domestic situation (of another country) and it
\nreally shouldn't be like that,\" Alatas contended.<\/p>\n
Among the arguments voiced by those who oppose immediate
\nmembership are the establishment of a senate and revision of the
\nCambodian constitution.<\/p>\n
Alatas, who along with the Philippine and Thai foreign
\nministers was assigned last year as part of the ASEAN troika to
\nengage Cambodia on its domestic turmoil, expressed objections to
\nsuch preconditions for gaining membership.<\/p>\n
\"We have never placed as a criteria the formation of a senate.
\nWhat we have always voiced is the establishment of a good
\ncoalition government, and this really has been fulfilled, so why
\nshould more criteria be added?\"<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, he remained hopeful that a consensus could be
\nreached among the leaders.<\/p>\n
\"Maybe there is a different interaction between leaders that
\nis different than the foreign ministers,\" Alatas remarked.<\/p>\n
An ASEAN official warned on Sunday that another postponement
\nof Cambodian's admission would be a stinging slap in the face to
\nHun Sen, especially since he had traveled to Hanoi to personally
\nlobby for his country.<\/p>\n
The official also foresaw irrevocable political consequences
\nin damaged relations, especially since Cambodia's King Norodhom
\nSihanouk personally wrote to the leaders to back his country's
\nadmission at the summit.<\/p>\n
Indonesian President B.J. Habibie is scheduled to arrive for
\nthe summit on Monday.<\/p>",
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