ASEAN and Cambodia

It appears that ASEAN has lost its patience with (Cambodian co-Premier) Hun Sen. By unanimous vote, the association delayed Cambodia's admission until the ongoing conflict is resolved. ASEAN delivered yet another snub to Hun Sen by continuing to recognize Ranariddh as that country's first co-prime minister. This position taken by ASEAN is of course diametrically opposed to Hun Sen's wish to have the world stop treating Ranariddh as his co-premier. But for Ranariddh, who was in Jakarta yesterday (Wednesday), ASEAN's stance represents the sweet fruit of his diplomatic efforts.

Before the Paris Agreement, which marked the end of a protracted war in Cambodia, was signed in 1993, the country posed a tiring diplomatic problem for ASEAN. Now, the association is again being tested by Cambodia. Although the problem does not seem as grave this time, the same old players -- or at least the same old factors -- are involved, representing the forces of integration on the one hand and those of disintegration on the other.

It is ASEAN's ambition to see all the countries of this Southeast Asian region united under one roof. This ambition, however, has had to be shelved and, as for the present, only an "ASEAN-9" has been achieved. Cambodia, which had been considered the region's good boy, has turned out to be the pebble in the shoe that irritates ASEAN. We hope that ASEAN will not become weary of diplomacy. Myanmar and Cambodia will both be testing the association's policy of constructive engagement.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta