Burma, Cambodia dominate Southeast Asian talks
July 27, 1997
Web posted at: 2:44 p.m. EDT (1844 GMT)
IN CONTEXT
The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) traditionally has practiced a policy of non-interference in the affairs of its member states. But observers say its recent decision to delay Cambodia's membership because of a coup in that country may signal a shift in policy.KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (CNN) -- Western nations on Sunday criticized the slow pace of democratic reforms in Burma, but failed to halt key international aid for Cambodia to force a political settlement there.
Addressing a one-day regional security conference in Kuala Lumpur for major Asian and Western nations, U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright strongly criticized Burma over its human rights and democracy record.
Burma's Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw told the Association of South East Asian Nations Regional Forum that one reason for delays in preparing a new constitution was the difficulty in deciding on power-sharing among the country's many minorities.
However, Albright described the speech as "objectionable" and one U.S. official described it as "Orwellian."
Burma is the only member of the newly expanded nine-member ASEAN which is subject to international sanctions.
Albright said Burma was also the only ASEAN nation "where the government protects and profits from the drug trade. ... Drug money is laundered with such impunity ... that it taints legitimate investment."
But while her statement was echoed in similar criticism by the European Union, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, there were also voices of support.
ASEAN chairman Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Malaysia's foreign minister, described the Burmese minister's speech as "factual," even though he admitted "it's also correct that they are not making big steps forward."
The ASEAN Regional Forum also issued a statement regarding the situation in Cambodia, where Second Prime Minister Hun Sen ousted First Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh earlier this month.
Abdullah said the "ministers expressed concern over the latest developments on the situation in Cambodia."
But the ASEAN Regional Forum -- which includes the nine ASEAN members and nine major Asian and Western powers plus observers Cambodia and Papua New Guinea -- said it had also taken notice of renewed assurances by Cambodia.
Cambodia's foreign minister and newly appointed co-prime minister, Ung Huot, told the meeting that "Cambodia welcomed ASEAN's role in helping restore political stability in Cambodia."
That statement on Sunday came several days after Hun Sen rejected ASEAN mediation proposals, accusing the organization of interfering in Cambodia's domestic affairs.
Albright discussed the situation in Cambodia in talks with Japan's foreign minister, Yukihiko Ikeda. A U.S. government spokesman said Washington and Tokyo did not "take the same position" on what to do about international aid for Cambodia.
The United States suspended $42 million in aid to Cambodia for 30 days, a period which ends early next month. That suspension came amid U.S. calls for Hun Sen to re-establish a coalition government.
However, Japan, which is Cambodia's largest donor, told Cambodia Saturday it would continue its aid because of a promise by Hun Sen to restore political normalcy.
In their summit statement, the ministers of the ASEAN Regional Forum also:
- Welcomed four-party talks in New York next month on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and expressed concern over the impact of food shortages in North Korea on security and the well-being of its people.
- Welcomed efforts by countries with competing claims to territories in the South China Sea to seek solutions peacefully.
- Recommended that the export of nuclear waste be prohibited to countries that do not have adequate treatment and storage facilities.
Reuters contributed to this report.
- Message Board: Cambodian Conflict
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Related stories:
- ASEAN rejects Cambodian membership - July 23, 1997
- Cambodia's Ranariddh to accept ASEAN peace proposal - July 18, 1997
Related sites:
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- ASEAN - the official website of Association of the Association of South East Asian Nations
- ASEAN InfoSite - summary of pertinent information to ASEAN, as well as informative links of interest
- ASEAN - Institute - Institute for the Promotion of Scientific, Economic and Technical Cooperation with ASEAN Countries
- ASEAN Information Superhighway
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