Cambodia set to apply to ASEAN

Cambodia set to apply to ASEAN

JAKARTA (JP): Cambodian Foreign Minister Ung Huot is set to
arrive here on Tuesday to deliver Phnom Penh's application to
join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

He is scheduled to meet with Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali
Alatas on Wednesday before returning home later in the day.

Both foreign ministers and ASEAN officials here in Jakarta
yesterday confirmed Cambodia's plan to submit an application but
denied rumors that they were pushing for acceptance in ASEAN this
year.

"It will happen next year when ASEAN celebrates its 30th
anniversary," said an official, requesting anonymity.

Formed in 1967 as a socio-economic organization, ASEAN has
evolved into one of the world's most successful and respected
regional groupings.

It currently comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

One of it ultimate aims is to combine all 10 states in
Southeast Asia. The other three-remaining non-members are
Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

Officials here pointed out that Laos has already submitted its
application last week.

There had earlier been speculation that both Cambodia and Laos
were pushing for membership this year in conjunction with the
ASEAN Ministerial Meeting which will be held here in July.

All three of the remaining non-ASEAN members however have been
allowed to take part in the association's major events such as
the signing of the treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons
Free Zone in Bangkok in December.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of the ministerial meeting in July,
ASEAN officials will also hold a special three-day Senior
Officials Meeting in Surabaya on April 3.

Apart from ASEAN and foreign ministry officials from member
states, the meeting will also involve officials from the
ministries of security and defense.

Topics of discussion will include the ASEAN Regional Forum,
the nuclear-free zone and the impending ASEAN-U.S. talks. (mds)