Cambodia pushes for ASEAN seat

Cambodia pushes for ASEAN seat

By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat

PETALING JAYA, Malaysia (JP): Cambodia is still expressing a
keenness to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) immediately, but officials took a wait-and-see approach
here yesterday, saying that a final decision would be taken
today.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said a formal
request had been submitted for Cambodia to be admitted today.

Badawi first said Cambodia had requested admission on the
30th, but Malaysia's director general for ASEAN affairs, Abdul
Majid Ahmad Khan, late yesterday evening corrected Badawi and
said the request was for the 23rd not the 30th.

"We certainly have to discuss the letter," added Badawi who
currently chairs the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM).

ASEAN groups Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar are
to be admitted in a ceremony today.

But the recent political takeover by Second Prime Minister Hun
Sen of First Premier Prince Norodom Ranariddh prompted ASEAN to
postpone indefinitely Cambodia's membership.

ASEAN maintains that the issue now is only the timing of
admission, not membership itself.

Badawi said yesterday that ASEAN foreign ministers would
convene at noon (11 a.m. Jakarta time) today to hear a report by
an ASEAN delegation which met with Ranariddh, Hun Sen and
Cambodian King Sihanouk. The mission was lead by Indonesian
Foreign Minister Ali Alatas.

"Tomorrow will be an opportunity for us to discuss this
particular issue, and at the same time we'll have an opportunity
to listen to the ASEAN mission," Badawi said yesterday.

Alatas was scheduled to arrive here late yesterday evening.

When pressed further, Badawi refused to speculate what ASEAN
would do. "We will hear the report, whether there was a
government in Cambodia when the ASEAN foreign ministers went
there."

The question of a legitimate government seems to be a crucial
point for the ASEAN foreign ministers. When asked why ASEAN would
admit Myanmar with its alleged human rights abuses and not
Cambodia, Badawi replied: "We were not sure at the time we made
the decision whether there was a government in Cambodia or not.
That's the difference."

Officials here confirmed that Cambodian Foreign Minister Ung
Huot would attend the AMM meeting as an observer. Ung Huot's
presence could be a key factor since he is expected to gain the
approval of the Cambodian National Assembly on July 28 as the
country's first premier.

Whatever decision is taken today, it could have far-reaching
consequences for both ASEAN's dream of creating a united
Southeast Asia and political developments in Cambodia.

"It is important in the decision we make that we don't want to
aggravate the situation further," Badawi said.

Speaking of positive points in Cambodia, Badawi said many of
the aspects of the political institution remain intact, despite
the political turmoil, such as the constitution, the National
Assembly and the monarchy.

"These are some of the democratic institutional frameworks
that we'd like to see remain ... What we'd like to see is the
election take place next year," he said.

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam also pointed to
positive domestic developments as a elements to help expedite
entry.

"The more peaceful and stable Cambodia is, the sooner it will
become a member," he said on his arrival yesterday.

While the official position is to wait for today's meeting,
delegates privately expressed pessimism Cambodia would be
admitted this week.

"If the situation improves they could come in at the informal
summit in December," said one delegate.

ASEAN ministers began arriving yesterday to attend today's
official admission ceremony of Laos, Myanmar and, if agreed upon,
Cambodia.

It is followed tomorrow by the two-day annual AMM. On Sunday
ASEAN ministers will gather with their dialog partners for
political security talks in the ASEAN Regional Forum.

A two-day Post Ministerial Conference will then be held.

Myanmar -- Page 5

Communique -- Page 6

RAC -- Page 10