ASEAN wise in deferring Cambodia's entry

JAKARTA (JP): On July 24, 1997, Cambodia was to become a member of ASEAN. Just two weeks before that date ASEAN foreign ministers decided to defer Cambodia's membership because the political disputes between the two co-prime ministers and their parties were being solved by the use of force.

ASEAN's decision reflects the apprehensions on the part of ASEAN's public opinion and the concern on the part of its officials that unless a peaceful resolution is reached, Cambodia's membership would create major problems for ASEAN. A new time frame is given for Cambodia's admission. Internal peace must be established first and ASEAN governments have made the offer to assist the conflicting parties to resolve the problem.

A commission consisting of three ASEAN foreign ministers has been established and is being tasked to meet with King Norodom Sihanouk and the two co-prime ministers. ASEAN continues to recognize Prince Ranaridh as Cambodia's first co-prime minister.

What are the prospects for a peaceful outcome of this internal dispute?. It should be borne in mind that Cambodia has always been a "problem nation" for its neighbors. At times this had been caused by external factors such as during the Vietnam War and the American invasion of Cambodia in 1970 which had dragged this country unwillingly into the war. At other times, the problem originated from within such as created by the rise of the Khmer Rouge into power in 1975 and the subsequent genocide.

ASEAN, or at least some of its members, has been actively involved since the early 1970 in efforts to help Cambodia establish an internal peace, but these have been largely unsuccessful. ASEAN stepped up its diplomatic efforts following Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia in 1979. The first aim was to draw the world community's attention to Cambodia's plight. The second aim was to affect a Vietnamese withdrawal from Cambodia, and lastly, to help resolve the internal conflict through a political compromise between the parties involved.

Admittedly, it was only with the ending of the Cold War in 1989 and with the support of permanent members of the UN Security Council and the international community at large that a resolution to the internal conflict was possible, leading to the Paris Agreement of 1991. On the basis of this Agreement a general election was held in 1993 which resulted in the establishment of a government headed by the two co-prime ministers. This government emerged as a compromise that was based on the results of the general election and the prevailing political situation in the country. The Paris Agreement continues to provide the only acceptable basis for reaching a political solution to the present conflict.

It has been clearly recognized that ASEAN's enlargement to include Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar would create new challenges for ASEAN. Deferring Cambodia's membership does not make life easier for ASEAN. ASEAN has to continue to get involved in restoring internal peace in Cambodia, and Cambodia's internal developments affect the region's stability and security because it is in the heart of Southeast Asia.

The outbreak of internal conflict and the postponement of Cambodia's membership of ASEAN constitute a setback for the implementation of the ideals of ASEAN's founding fathers. This was to create one Southeast Asia in which all 10 countries in the region live in peace and jointly decide their own future, withstand pressure from without, and contribute to the strengthening of a regional order in the Asia-Pacific.

However, ASEAN's decision to defer the membership of Cambodia is a correct and wise decision. It does not make sense to have Cambodia as a member if it is not ready to adopt ASEAN's spirit, principles, customs and tradition based on deliberations and consensus building. The use of force by one party toward the other is an implicit and explicit violation of that spirit.

ASEAN's decision has opened up the question of whether that decision entails an interference in Cambodia's internal affairs. In their statement, the foreign ministers stated that ASEAN upholds the principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of its members. However, ASEAN cannot ignore developments in its members which could destabilize the region. The clear precedent for this was during the last days of the Marcos regime in the Philippines. The likelihood of a civil war that could destabilize the region has led the ASEAN foreign ministers, for the first time, to make a public a statement to appeal to the parties involved to restrain themselves.

It is clear that ASEAN's involvement in Cambodia's internal affairs should be based on the principles of the Paris Agreement, which include the support for the coalition government and parliament that resulted from the 1993 elections. ASEAN and the international community have invested a lot in helping Cambodia rebuild a viable national and in promoting its national development. Neither should give up hope.

But most important is Cambodia's own understanding and appreciation that the world has changed and the strategic environment in Southeast Asia has also changed. If they opt for being left out, they will only bring deprivation, misery and poverty to themselves and risk being marginalized all together.

The writer is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Jakarta-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies