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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