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