Efforts on Cambodia must continue<\/p>\n
Thanks to the unhelpful attitude of Cambodian strongman Hun
\nSen, ASEAN faces tough decisions. The immediate ASEAN policy in
\nthe wake of Hun Sen's power grab on July 6 was temporary. It
\ngranted talks to King Norodom Sihanouk in Beijing, to deposed
\nFirst Premier Prince Norodom Ranariddh in Bangkok and finally to
\nHun Sen in Phnom Penh. Those talks are now over. They have been
\nsuccessful within their limited aim of gathering information. The
\nadvances were small but at least the issue was moved forward.<\/p>\n
Then, on Saturday, the source of the problem unraveled what
\nlittle had been achieved. Hun Sen flatly rejected outside
\nmediation. He coolly threw out an ASEAN suggestion for a
\ncaretaker government until elections, scheduled for next May. Hun
\nSen told his guests he neither wants nor needs ASEAN help to
\nsolve the issue. Mr. Alatas, speaking for his colleagues, said
\nASEAN will now stop trying to help.<\/p>\n
This is not, however, a policy. By Friday, the seven ASEAN
\nforeign ministers -- plus those from imminent members Laos and
\nBurma -- must agree on what to do about the country which lies at
\nthe center of the ASEAN mainland. A decision to do nothing will
\nnot impress ASEAN's dialog partners, nor boost the image of ASEAN
\nitself.<\/p>\n
It may be tempting to walk away and wipe one's hands of
\nCambodia. But that would be the wrong decision. The stability of
\nCambodia rests, to a great extent, on foreign aid which makes up
\n60 percent of the country's national budget. The world cannot
\nabandon its responsibility to the people of Cambodia.<\/p>\n
Hun Sen's recalcitrant attitude toward ASEAN's offers of
\ngoodwill is not the final word. Diplomatic and other efforts to
\nonce again ease a hard-line Phnom Penh regime toward democracy
\nmust continue. ASEAN leaders may be frustrated by Hun Sen's
\nattitude, but they must adapt, and adopt a fresh policy on
\nCambodia. By Saturday, they must be ready to reveal it to their
\ndialog partners and the world.<\/p>\n
-- The Bangkok Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/efforts-on-cambodia-must-continue-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }