Cambodia's entry into ASEAN may not be realized

HANOI (JP): The chances of Cambodia gaining immediate entry into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) looked increasingly bleak on Monday as leaders of Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines upon arrival remained steadfast in their opposition.

The three leaders are among the nine ASEAN heads of government who will hold a two-day summit in the Vietnamese capital Tuesday. The question of Cambodia's immediate membership is expected to be the toughest issue facing them.

All ASEAN members are committed to accepting Cambodia, however the timing remains contentious.

Upon arrival at Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport, Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong maintained that his government had not changed its position about delaying Cambodia's entry.

He remarked that the leaders would discuss the issue during the summit, but expected the final decision would remain the same.

"We will discuss it (Cambodia) but there will be no change," Goh remarked.

Cambodia currently has observer statues in the nine-member grouping which comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

It was originally set to join in July 1997, but political turmoil which saw Hun Sen oust co-premier Norodhom Ranarridh forced ASEAN to delay acceptance until a coalition government was formed.

Despite the formation of a new government last month following polls in July, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines remain hesitant on immediate admission, arguing that further political developments, such as the setting up of a senate, must transpire.

Vietnam as host of the meeting has been pushing for Cambodia's entry before the end of the summit.

Indonesia too has expressed support for Cambodia's swift entry, arguing against insisting on too many criteria which could be perceived as domestic interference.

During a presummit meeting, ASEAN foreign ministers were split on the issue and decided to defer it to their leaders to decide.

Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai upon arriving at his hotel refused to comment on the issue. However, his foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan asserted that Thailand had also not changed its position.

Philippine President Joseph Estrada would not say whether he had changed his position about delaying Cambodia's entry, saying only that further discussion was needed.

"We're all for having them as a member, but we have to discuss this," he said.

Some sort of decision could come very late Monday night when the leaders all gather together for an informal dinner.

During a courtesy call to Vietnamese Premier Phan Van Khai, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen asserted that his country should be given admission to the grouping.

Hun Sen, who arrived Sunday, held a slew of bilateral meetings on Monday afternoon with ASEAN leaders to lobby for entry.

If no consensus is reached, there is concern among some ASEAN officials that Hun Sen, who is due to attend the summit proceedings as an observer, could leave Hanoi early out of disgust, causing tension in future ties.

Vietnamese foreign minister Nguyen Manh Cam, however, remained confident that the Cambodian leader would stay for the duration of the summit.

"As far as I understand, and I don't know the very latest of the situation, of what has occurred, Hun Sen will stay," he said through an interpreter.

After a brief pause, Cam reprised his statement: "We are confident he will stay on". (mds)