UN must help prevent civil war in Cambodia

Unless the warring leadership in Cambodia quickly puts the lid on the increasing violence between the two sides, the unfortunate country could slip into another spiral of devastating civil war.

Charges and countercharges in the last couple of days by those close to First Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh and supporters of Second Prime Minister Hun Sen underline the seriousness of the situation. Hun Sen's supporters accused the other side of an armed attack on the national police chief's residence. Prince Ranariddh's aides countered it with allegations of an attempted assassination of the prince.

This is proof that the political differences at the highest level have now descended to accusations of virtual thuggery. It is an accident of recent political history that Cambodia has two prime ministers. It is meant to be temporary until elections decide the political future. While the burgeoning political differences indicates the struggle for future power, a new development that has heightened the contention is the high level contacts between Prince Ranariddh and the hated Khmer Rouge.

The prince would like to win over the support of some now repentant Khmer Rouge leaders who have dumped the genocidal Pol Pot. Hun Sen cannot countenance any such development, especially since the Khmer Rouge consider him a Vietnamese puppet. Vietnam, which once helped oust Pol Pot, is now a respected member of ASEAN. Cambodia is on the threshold of becoming one. If Southeast Asia wants to ensure Cambodia does not return to civil war it must warn the warring factions of the inevitable dangers and ensure they get the message. ASEAN might also ask the United Nations to lend a hand. After all, the UN brokered the peace. Now it must help stop the war.

-- The Hong Kong Standard