Hun Sen against ASEAN advice<\/p>\n
PHNOM PENH (AFP): Cambodian strongman Hun Sen rejected any
\nadvice on democracy and human rights from the Association of
\nSoutheast Asian Nations yesterday, saying it was in no position
\nto lecture on those subjects.<\/p>\n
ASEAN should pay more attention to its own economic problems
\ninstead of meddling in Cambodia's affairs, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Please use more of your time to solve the economic crisis in
\nyour countries as best you can,\" Hun Sen, in a message to ASEAN,
\nsaid at a conference on good governance.<\/p>\n
\"I think all ASEAN leaders should concentrate on solving their
\neconomic crisis and not allowing that crisis to become political
\nand possibly affect Cambodia,\" he said, referring to the
\ngrouping's efforts to mediate between his country's warring
\nfactions.<\/p>\n
\"Can those countries (ASEAN) be teachers? Those countries are
\nnot better than other countries.<\/p>\n
\"On economies, yes (you can teach), but on (promoting) human
\nrights and democracy, no. You yourselves cannot even do it.\"<\/p>\n
\"We don't want to be a teacher to any other country and at the
\nsame time we don't want to be taught.\"<\/p>\n
Hun Sen said made his remarks because he had heard the \"ASEAN
\ntroika\" planned to return to Cambodia soon to continue efforts to
\nsolve the problems between him and former first prime minister
\nPrince Norodom Ranariddh.<\/p>\n
ASEAN indefinitely postponed Cambodia's admission as a full
\nmember of the regional grouping after the July fighting which
\nousted the prince, and has been attempting to mediate a
\nresolution through the foreign ministers of Thailand, Indonesia
\nand the Philippines.<\/p>\n
ASEAN diplomats said they were not aware of any upcoming visit
\nby the troika, but Hun Sen said he would not meet them if they
\ncame.<\/p>\n
He attacked ASEAN for violating its long-held policy of
\nnoninterference in other country's internal affairs, and
\ncastigated the grouping for admitting Myanmar and not Cambodia
\ndespite its rights record.<\/p>\n
ASEAN groups Brunei, Myanmar, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the
\nPhilippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/hun-sen-against-asean-advice-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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