Cambodia counts on continued RI support

Cambodia counts on continued RI support

JAKARTA (JP): Cambodian leaders yesterday urged Indonesia to
continue helping to rebuild their country after seeing it through
a prolonged and destructive civil war.

Cambodia's co-prime ministers Prince Norodom Ranariddh and Hun
Sen arrived yesterday for a three-day visit which is expected to
focus on enhancing bilateral economic cooperation.

In his speech during a banquet at the State Palace hosted by
President Soeharto, Prince Ranariddh acknowledged Indonesia's
major role in the long process towards peace in Cambodia and the
first general election last year.

Indonesia hosted a series of preliminary meetings in the late
1980s between the various warring Cambodian factions before they
went to Paris to sign the peace agreement in 1991.

Cambodia would like Indonesia to continue "to assume its
responsibilities vis-a-vis the Cambodian nation," said Prince
Ranariddh, the son of King Sihanouk.

He acknowledged that the Cambodian government continues to
face insurgency from the Khmer Rouge in violation of the UN-
sponsored peace agreement, but stressed that assistance from the
international community, including Indonesia, in lifting the
standard of living of his people would go a long way toward
resolving the problem. "We strongly believe that such measures
will put an end rapidly and definitely to the Khmer Rouge
insurgency."

President Soeharto in his speech gave assurances that
Indonesia will continue to help the reconstruction effort in
Cambodia, stressing that Cambodian stability is vital for
Southeast Asia.

Soeharto said that he feels the United Nations should maintain
an active role in Cambodia in the efforts towards reconciliation,
rehabilitation and reconstruction.

"But, no matter how big is the commitment of the international
community to the peace and development of Cambodia, it is the
Cambodian people who should decide its own fate and future."

Soeharto also explained that the Cambodian leaders must now
work to strengthen their nation's unity, which is a prerequisite
to maintaining sovereignty and ensuring development.

He cited Indonesia's long struggle to establish and then
maintain national unity as an example for Cambodia to emulate.

This is the first time that Prince Ranariddh and Hun Sen have
visited Indonesia in friendship. The two men came to Indonesia
several times as foes in the 1980s during peace negotiations. In
Cambodian state protocol, Prince Ranariddh is now the first prime
minister and Hun Sen is the second prime minister.

Ranariddh did most of the talking yesterday at a brief
courtesy call on Soeharto at the Merdeka Palace shortly after
their arrival.

Unaccustomed to hosting two premiers, the protocol at the
state palace yesterday provided only one garland of flowers,
which was presented to Prince Ranariddh.

Formal talks between Soeharto and his two guests are scheduled
for today. Parallel talks will be held between various ministers
of the two governments. The Cambodian entourage includes minister
of agriculture, forestry and fisheries Kong Som Ol, trade
minister Var Houth, education, youth and sports minister Ung Hout
and industry minister Pou Sothirak.

The Cambodian government in Phnom Penh yesterday said the
delegation is expected to discuss the political, economic and
security situations in Cambodia and seek to encourage Indonesian
firms to invest in Cambodia, AFP reported.

"Indonesia also has good experience in attracting foreign
investors, we need to learn from them," Information Minister Ieng
Mouly said.

The government will also seek military assistance and ask for
Indonesian help to train the Cambodian army. "We need all kinds
of assistance, training and weaponry. We need to study how much
Indonesia can help us," Defense Minister Tea Banh said. (emb)