ASEAN may be forced to abandon peace role

ASEAN may be forced to abandon peace role

BANGKOK (Agencies): ASEAN may be forced to abandon its efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Cambodian crisis due to opposition from strongman Hun Sen, a report said yesterday.

Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' Cambodia taskforce had agreed at a recent meeting in Manila that its peace efforts might have to be abandoned, the Nation daily reported.

"The team cannot continue its mandate to solve the Cambodian crisis if Hun Sen thinks its role is unnecessary.

Otherwise the team would be accused of interfering in the internal affairs of Cambodia," Surin said.

Shortly after Hun Sen ousted co-premier Prince Norodom Ranariddh in bloody street fighting in Phnom Penh last year, ASEAN set up a troika consisting of the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand to seek solutions to the problem.

"Later there were some news reports that reflected Hun Sen's anger about the role of the team. So we want clarification from Hun Sen on the matter," Surin was quoted as saying.

However, Surin said Thailand would continue its role in trying to mediate between Hun Sen and Ranariddh in an effort to bring the Cambodian crisis to a speedy end.

Hun Sen has repeatedly said that he would visit Thailand to talk with Premier Chuan Leekpai about bilateral issues, but has refused to meet with Ranariddh, who is exiled here.

In addition to the troika on Cambodia, ASEAN includes Myanmar, Laos, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon or one of his assistants will visit Cambodia as an ASEAN envoy to Prime Minister Hun Sen, the presidential palace here said yesterday.

Philippine President Fidel Ramos urged Cambodia's King Norodom Sihanouk yesterday to return to his homeland soon to help in the holding of free, fair and credible elections.

Meanwhile from Tokyo, Japan's vice foreign minister will meet Cambodian leader Hun Sen this week to discuss Japan's initiatives to resolve Cambodia's political deadlock, Foreign Ministry officials said yesterday.

Masahiko Komura will leave for Phnom Penh today for a three- day visit to share views on the international community's demand that Hun Sen ensure the safe return and participation of his rival Prince Norodom Ranariddh in July general elections, they said.

Hun Sen said on Tuesday he accepted a four-point Japanese proposal that would let the prince be tried in absentia on security-related charges and then receive a royal pardon at the request of a family member, paving the way for his participation in the July 26 polls.