ASEAN 'stays out of Cambodia'

ASEAN 'stays out of Cambodia'

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas stressed
yesterday that the ASEAN ministerial team set to meet Cambodian
leaders does not intend to interfere in Cambodia's internal
affairs but hopes to avert rising tensions which could
destabilize the region.

"The crisis in Cambodia not only affects the country itself,
but also its neighbors in Southeast Asia because tension there
may also threaten stability in this region," Alatas told
reporters here yesterday.

He denied any suggestion that ASEAN was interfering in
domestic affairs, arguing that the ministerial team was merely
trying to "assist in finding solutions to the Cambodian crisis".

The crisis in Cambodia erupted when forces of Second Prime
Minister Hun Sen moved in on those loyal to First Prime Minister
Prince Norodom Ranariddh.

Ranariddh fled to France as Hun Sen announced himself first
prime minister.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) -- Brunei,
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam -- held a special foreign ministers meeting Thursday in
which they decided to postpone Cambodia's entry into the
grouping.

Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar were scheduled to be admitted as
full members next week.

The meeting also selected foreign ministers from Indonesia,
Thailand and the Philippines to contact and meet King Norodom
Sihanouk and the two embattled premiers.

But there has been no reply from either Sihanouk or the two
premiers.

"We have filed a formal request to be received by the King and
we are just waiting for the confirmation of a date," Alatas said.
"I hope I can tell you about the dates in the next few days."

Sihanouk has been convalescing in Beijing for the past few
months. Though he holds no office, he wields great influence
among Cambodians.

Alatas was speaking after reporting to President Soeharto on
the results of the special ASEAN meeting. He said that Soeharto
fully supported ASEAN's latest initiative.

When asked why ASEAN had decided to postpone Cambodia's
membership, Alatas said the decision was taken so the grouping
would not be perceived as backing either of the premiers.

"It's not ASEAN's intention to interfere or judge either one
of the sides in Cambodia," he said, adding that Cambodia's
candidacy in ASEAN "was never questioned".

Alatas said Cambodia, which has observer status in the
grouping, was welcomed to send officials to the ASEAN Ministerial
Meeting in Kuala Lumpur from July 24 to July 25.

"They can come to Kuala Lumpur," he said.

ASEAN, especially Indonesia, played a major role in bringing
Cambodia out of years of civil war. Indonesia cochaired with
France the Paris peace agreement which paved the way for
elections in 1993.

In Phnom Penh yesterday, Hun Sen warned ASEAN states not to
meddle in Cambodia's affairs and hinted that it might withdraw
altogether from ASEAN membership.

"We consider if we go to ASEAN or if we stop. I want to stop
if ASEAN continues to interfere in our internal affairs," Hun Sen
was quoted by news agencies as saying.

"I am afraid of joining ASEAN because of ASEAN interference in
internal affairs," he said.

Hun Sen said he would discuss the matter further with his
senior ministers.

Hun Sen said earlier he was disappointed with some ASEAN
states' hasty evacuations of nationals soon after the Cambodian
crisis erupted. (06)

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