Cambodia's entry into ASEAN may not be realized

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)