Cambodia on ASEAN agenda after polls

Cambodia on ASEAN agenda after polls

MANILA (DPA): Cambodia's membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) may be discussed before the group's leaders hold a summit in December if a fair and peaceful Cambodian election is held on July 26, a top Philippine official said yesterday.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Lauro Baja said he expected ASEAN to discuss Cambodia's membership during meetings in preparation for the leaders summit, but not during the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on July 24 and July 25 in Manila.

During the ministerial meeting, which will take place before the crucial poll, Baja said ASEAN would mention Cambodia in its joint statement with the text "dwelling on the positive developments on the holding of the elections".

Baja said ASEAN was satisfied with the preparations for Cambodia's election, despite concerns over media access, some irregularities in the registration of voters and poll-related violence.