Asean feels 'let down'

THE decision to delay the entry of Cambodia as a member has put a crimp in the Asean 10 concept - the group will have only nine members when foreign ministers hold their 30th anniversary meeting in Kuala Lumpur on July 24, rather than the 10 denoted in a new logo.

And it may be some time before the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (Asean) foreign ministers change their position, given statements made in Kuala Lumpur and Phnom Penh.

Asean envoys, especially Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Badawi, who was told things would get better when he visited Cambodia, felt let down by Second Prime Minister Hun Sen.

This was reflected in Mr Badawi's elaboration of the Asean decision, which he said had resulted from "a dramatic change in the political situation".

"It is not the same as when we decided Cambodia would be admitted as a member," he said. "This change in the situation was brought about as a result of the military use of force. And that is the reason why we have made this decision.

"It is a matter of fact. It is not a judgment, is not an assessment, it is a reality."

He said Asean wanted to see that the government was in place, that the coalition would continue, that the national assembly would not be dissolved, that the constitution was upheld and that there was also adherence to the Paris peace accords.

Mr Badawi said Asean had decided not to call Mr Hun Sen's government legal or illegal because that would be "tantamount to making an assessment of his position".

He said Asean members were mindful of the importance of the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states.

But by delaying Cambodia's admission, Asean has, in effect, sided with Prince Norodom Ranariddh, who had appealed to the organisation to take such a step.

Mr Hun Sen, on the other hand, had urged Asean to regard the crisis as domestic.