Efforts on Cambodia must continue

Efforts on Cambodia must continue

Thanks to the unhelpful attitude of Cambodian strongman Hun
Sen, ASEAN faces tough decisions. The immediate ASEAN policy in
the wake of Hun Sen's power grab on July 6 was temporary. It
granted talks to King Norodom Sihanouk in Beijing, to deposed
First Premier Prince Norodom Ranariddh in Bangkok and finally to
Hun Sen in Phnom Penh. Those talks are now over. They have been
successful within their limited aim of gathering information. The
advances were small but at least the issue was moved forward.

Then, on Saturday, the source of the problem unraveled what
little had been achieved. Hun Sen flatly rejected outside
mediation. He coolly threw out an ASEAN suggestion for a
caretaker government until elections, scheduled for next May. Hun
Sen told his guests he neither wants nor needs ASEAN help to
solve the issue. Mr. Alatas, speaking for his colleagues, said
ASEAN will now stop trying to help.

This is not, however, a policy. By Friday, the seven ASEAN
foreign ministers -- plus those from imminent members Laos and
Burma -- must agree on what to do about the country which lies at
the center of the ASEAN mainland. A decision to do nothing will
not impress ASEAN's dialog partners, nor boost the image of ASEAN
itself.

It may be tempting to walk away and wipe one's hands of
Cambodia. But that would be the wrong decision. The stability of
Cambodia rests, to a great extent, on foreign aid which makes up
60 percent of the country's national budget. The world cannot
abandon its responsibility to the people of Cambodia.

Hun Sen's recalcitrant attitude toward ASEAN's offers of
goodwill is not the final word. Diplomatic and other efforts to
once again ease a hard-line Phnom Penh regime toward democracy
must continue. ASEAN leaders may be frustrated by Hun Sen's
attitude, but they must adapt, and adopt a fresh policy on
Cambodia. By Saturday, they must be ready to reveal it to their
dialog partners and the world.

-- The Bangkok Post