Cambodian turmoil 'threatens region'

JAKARTA (JP): The turmoil in Cambodia could affect stability in the rest of Southeast Asia, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said yesterday.

Alatas said this was the main reason why the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had decided last week to defer admitting Cambodia as a member, originally scheduled for this month.

The minister made the remarks to rectify an article in yesterday's The Jakarta Post which cited him on the reason behind ASEAN's decision, his chief spokesman Gaffar Fadyl said.

"Objectively, we see there has been quite a major change in the constellation of the Cambodian government and politics, and this change came about through the use of force.

"This change has created tension and raised the threat of a prolonged armed conflict and the prospect of instability in Cambodia.

"Given this condition, which could affect stability in Southeast Asia, and not only in Cambodia, the wisest course (for ASEAN) now is to momentarily defer admitting Cambodia as a full member," Alatas said. (emb)