Hun Sen against ASEAN advice
Hun Sen against ASEAN advice
PHNOM PENH (AFP): Cambodian strongman Hun Sen rejected any advice on democracy and human rights from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations yesterday, saying it was in no position to lecture on those subjects.
ASEAN should pay more attention to its own economic problems instead of meddling in Cambodia's affairs, he said.
"Please use more of your time to solve the economic crisis in your countries as best you can," Hun Sen, in a message to ASEAN, said at a conference on good governance.
"I think all ASEAN leaders should concentrate on solving their economic crisis and not allowing that crisis to become political and possibly affect Cambodia," he said, referring to the grouping's efforts to mediate between his country's warring factions.
"Can those countries (ASEAN) be teachers? Those countries are not better than other countries.
"On economies, yes (you can teach), but on (promoting) human rights and democracy, no. You yourselves cannot even do it."
"We don't want to be a teacher to any other country and at the same time we don't want to be taught."
Hun Sen said made his remarks because he had heard the "ASEAN troika" planned to return to Cambodia soon to continue efforts to solve the problems between him and former first prime minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh.
ASEAN indefinitely postponed Cambodia's admission as a full member of the regional grouping after the July fighting which ousted the prince, and has been attempting to mediate a resolution through the foreign ministers of Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.
ASEAN diplomats said they were not aware of any upcoming visit by the troika, but Hun Sen said he would not meet them if they came.
He attacked ASEAN for violating its long-held policy of noninterference in other country's internal affairs, and castigated the grouping for admitting Myanmar and not Cambodia despite its rights record.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Myanmar, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.