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