Alatas to depart for Phnom Penh

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas will leave for Phnom Penh this morning as a first step in ASEAN's renewed efforts to help resolve the turmoil in Cambodia.

The aim of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) mission is to speak with the country's Second Prime Minister Hun Sen, Alatas said.

"On this occasion we will convey our ideas to Prime Minister Hun Sen and offer our contribution to resolve the crisis there," he said after speaking with the President at Merdeka Palace.

"What's important is that Hun Sen has agreed to listen to ASEAN's views because he previously regarded our view as an interference into Cambodia's internal affairs."

Alatas, as head of the team, will be joined in Phnom Penh by Philippines foreign minister Domingo L. Siazon, and Thailand foreign minister Prachuab Chaiyasarn.

The three foreign ministers, as members of ASEAN, will offer their help to restore political stability in Cambodia.

Today's departure brings new hope as previous efforts were rebuffed by Hun Sen.

The political strife in Cambodia erupted early last month when Hun Sen's troops attacked those loyal to First Prime Minister Norodom Ranariddh, who subsequently fled abroad.

The turmoil forced ASEAN to postpone the inclusion of Cambodia as a member.

During their first visit to Phnom Penh the ASEAN mission received a cold shoulder from Hun Sen.

However during the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Malaysia last week, Cambodian foreign minister Ung Huot indicated Hun Sen would now be more receptive. This was further confirmed in a letter on Tuesday saying that Hun Sen now welcomed ASEAN's role.

Backing

ASEAN -- which incorporates Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- has received backing from many countries including China, Japan and the United States.

Alatas yesterday refused to elaborate further on the proposals to be tabled, saying it would be premature.

"In our first meeting with Hun Sen we did not have the opportunity to convey our ideas because he had said he it was an internal affair and they could solve it among themselves."

He indicated that if progress was made in the meeting, the ASEAN mission would meet with King Norodom Sihanouk and Ranariddh.

"If we can reach some meeting points and progress with Hun Sen, then we must talk again with the Prince and the King," he said.

Depending on the results of the talks in Phnom Penh, a special ASEAN meeting might be convened.

"It is possible," Alatas said. "But we could (also) possibly do it by faxes. At this stage however we want to concentrate on the meeting itself."

The mixed signals coming from Phnom Penh continued yesterday as foreign minister Ung Huot expressed both welcome and caution.

"The role of ASEAN that we have welcomed is to find the solutions for peace and stability in Cambodia," he said as quoted by AFP.

"We invited them to come, (but) no one country in the world wants another to interfere in its internal affairs," he said. (prb)

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