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.