ASEAN envoys start talks with Ranariddh

ASEAN envoys start talks with Ranariddh

BANGKOK (Agencies): Cambodia's ousted First Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh began talks with envoys from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) yesterday, which has launched shuttle diplomacy aimed at resolving Cambodia's latest crisis.

Prince Ranariddh was to meet Thai Foreign Minister Prachuab Chaiyasarn, his Indonesian counterpart Ali Alatas, and Philippine Foreign Minister Domingo Siazon.

Sam Rainsy, leader of the unrecognized opposition Khmer Nation Party, said he had spoken to the prince before the talks, predicting Second Prime Minister Hun Sen's government would fold under pressure from abroad and financial constraints at home.

"I think Hun Sen will see the light to accept a reasonable solution soon. His administration cannot survive with the international community and the donor countries against him," Sam Rainsy said.

Sam Rainsy said there was no need for an armed solution to Cambodia's problems, predicting international pressure and the freezing of aid would force Hun Sen to find a peaceful solution.

The three ASEAN ministers flew into Bangkok after meeting Thursday with Cambodia's King Norodom Sihanouk in Beijing, where the monarch is recovering after receiving medical treatment.

They are due in Phnom Penh today for talks with Hun Sen. Prince Ranariddh arrived from Europe, where he was visiting earlier this month when Hun Sen effectively seized power after heavy street fighting in the capital.

In Phom Penh Cambodian Foreign Minister Ung Huot, nominated to become Cambodia's first prime minister, has asked ASEAN to admit the strife-torn nation to the regional grouping at its annual foreign ministers' meeting next week.

ASEAN postponed Cambodia's entry to the grouping indefinitely last week in response to Hun Sen's ousting on July 6 of his coalition partner, Ranariddh.

Ung Huot, in letters to the seven ASEAN foreign ministers, copies of which were released by his ministry yesterday, said Cambodia was now politically stable and should be admitted to ASEAN at their meeting in Kuala Lumpur on July 23 as originally planned.

"I firmly hope to meet your kind consideration to admit the Kingdom of Cambodia as a member of ASEAN on 23 July, 1997, as (had) been decided at the Special Meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers on 31 May 1997," the letter said.

Ung Huot told his counterparts that members of Ranariddh's FUNCINPEC party and Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party agreed to nominate him first prime minister, replacing the ousted prince.

The nomination was approved by Hun Sen's party but the United States has refused to recognize it, saying there was not evidence that Ung Huot's selection was made on a free and fair basis.

Hun Sen shrugged off mounting international efforts to solve his country's political crisis yesterday and told foreigners, including ASEAN, to stay out of his affairs.

He said he would meet three ASEAN envoys today, but appeared weary of their diplomatic efforts.

"If they don't let us join ASEAN, we won't join. If we don't join ASEAN, it won't be the death of us," he said.

ASEAN said last week it still recognized Ranariddh as first prime minister.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Burma and Laos will become full members next week.

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