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"ASEAN ADMITS MYANMAR AND LAOS"



Reply-To: south@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (SAFHR KATHMANDU)

"ASEAN admits MYANMAR and LAOS"
The Kathmandu Post
24 July 1997
Kuala Lumpur, July 23(AFP)- The Association of South
East Asian Nations(ASEAN) admitted Burma and Laos as full members Wednesday
but dashed CAmbodian hopes for immediate entry into the regional grouping.

The Cambodia's troubles overshowed what was to have been a joyous
celebration and realization of ASEAN's long-held dream of a 10-member
grouping in this, 30th year of the group's existence.

They also turned the spotlight away from Burma's entry, which drawn
objections from Western nations critical of Rangoon's record on human
and political rights.

"It is with disappointment and regret that we view the recent turn of
events in Cambodia," Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
said.

"We have been reminded that peace and stability can never be taken for
granted," he added.

In a nearly three-hour meeting precending the ceremony, ASEAN foreign
ministers reaffirmed their decision to postpone Cambodia's entry taken
after second Prime Minister Hun Sen effectively ousted his rival First
Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh earlier this month.

Abdullah said no decision had been taken on a new timetable for
Cambodia's entry.

Cambodian official in Phnom Penh said they were not surprised by ASEAN's
decision. " This is not a surprise at all," said senior foreign ministry
official in the Cambodian capital. However, later Wednesday the ministers
agreed to let Cambodian Foreign Minister Ung Huot attend the annual ASEAN
meetings Thursday and Friday as an observer after Hun Sen welcomed
mediation efforts.

Ung Huot, who has been named as the prince's replacement, told the
ministers that Hun Sen, who last week, rejected any ASEAN mediation, has
changed his mind, Abdullah said.

As ASEAN ministeral mission last wekk received the endorsement of King
Norodom Sihanouk and of Prince Ranariddh, but was rebuffed by Hun Sen as
tantamount to interfering in Cambodia's internal affairs.