Cambodia has put Asean's future in jeopardy

July 15, 2012
The Nation Editorial

In an unprecedented and damaging move, the group's chair pursues self-interest ahead of regional solidarity

Thanks to its single-mindedness, Cambodia has literally brought Asean to its knees. In the organisation's 45-year history, its foreign ministers have never failed to issue a joint communique - however vague or noncommittal - after their deliberations. In the past there have been plenty of rough times and many disagreements - not least during the Cambodian conflict. But they have never ended like this.

This time around, Cambodia, as the Asean chair, has taken an uncompromising stand on the issue of the South China Sea. Instead of trying to find common ground among all concerned parties, as the Asean chair has done in the past, the chair decided to put its national interest ahead of the grouping's solidarity. In the long run, it will backfire on Cambodia and Asean as a whole.

It could also hurt Cambodia's bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council next year. It will be interesting to see how the Philippines reacts. Sooner rather than later, Cambodia will realise that its action has jeopardised the grouping's credibility.

Hun Xen's dare confront China by supporting India's bid to the Security Council seat?

Hun Xen's visit to India

Cambodia Supports India Security Council Bid

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Monday, 15 November 2010

“China will not be disappointed in India's becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council, because China's social and economic developments are at a higher level than India's.” - CPP Cheam Yiep

Cambodian officials say they support India's bid to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council, while some took issue with the notion such a move could anger China.

US President Barrack Obama said on a trip through Asia last week that the US would support India's move to the Security Council, which would place it alongside Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

Analysts have said such a move could draw the ire of China, which sees India as a growing regional rival.

However, Cambodian observers said last week there was room for both.

“China will not be disappointed in India's becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council, because China's social and economic developments are at a higher level than India's,” said Cheam Yiep, a senior National Assembly lawmaker for the ruling Cambodian People's Party.

The rising power of both countries “will provide warmth, improvement and balance, making comfortable conditions for the development of Cambodia,” he said. Cambodia has political ties with each side that help regional stability and security, he added.

Koy Kuong, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Cambodia's policy was of support for India's Security Council seat.

“The presence of India on the UN Security Council contributes to greater responsibility for the world's problems,” he said, adding that it would “not stir up conflict with China.”

However, Am Sam Ath, lead investigator for the rights group Licadho, said Cambodia did risk raising China's disappointment for too strongly supporting India's Security Council bid.

Investment, Trade Talks Expected for India President

Indian President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, second from left, waves at greeting Cambodian government officials upon her arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, Sept. 13, 2010. (Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh Monday, 13 September 2010

“I will assure them that they can count on India as a willing development partner,” she was quoted saying before her departure. “Our efforts in this direction have been towards undertaking infrastructure projects and capacity building programs in these countries. Our trade and investment linkages have grown over the years although they remain much below potential.”

Indian President Pratibha Patil arrived in the capital on Monday to hold talks with Cambodian leaders on trade, investment and other economic ties, officials said.

Patil will conduct a six-day visit, meeting with King Norodom Sihamoni, Prime Minister Hun Sen and other leaders.

She was given a traditional welcome Monday as she arrived at Phnom Penh International Airport, where Kong Sam Ol, the Minister for the Royal Palace, awaited her.

Koy Kuong, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the state visit would improve bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and tourism.

India exported more than $35 million in goods to Cambodia in 2009 and nearly $22 million for the first six months of 2010, according to government figures. Cambodian exports to India were $755,000 and $326,000 for the same periods.

Patil, who will also visit Siem Reap, was quoted by Asian News International saying the visit would “enhance our economic engagement with Cambodia.”

“I will assure them that they can count on India as a willing development partner,” she was quoted saying before her departure. “Our efforts in this direction have been towards undertaking infrastructure projects and capacity building programs in these countries. Our trade and investment linkages have grown over the years although they remain much below potential.”

Patil also said she wanted to bolster counter-terrorism cooperation with Cambodia.

“I believe India, Laos and Cambodia have much to gain by cooperating with each other in combating extremism and terrorism,” she said.

Patil will also sign an agreement with Cambodia for training and exchange between Cambodia's National Audit Authority and India's Comptroller and Auditor General. A second agreement on a water project between Cambodia's government and the Export-Import Bank of India is expected.

Cambodia supports India's bid for UN Security Council seat

Sep 13, 2010
DPA

Phnom Penh - Cambodia confirmed Monday that it would support India's bid to secure a permanent seat on an enlarged UN Security Council in comments that coincided with the arrival in Phnom Penh of Indian President Pratibha Patil.

Koy Kuong, a spokesman for Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that in return, Cambodia sought India's support for its own UN ambitions.

'We hope that India will reciprocate in kind to support Cambodia as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2013 to 2014,' he said. 'We should mutually support each other.'

Cambodia's position followed a statement from Patil in which she noted that Cambodia and Laos, where she has spent the past five days, had given 'unconditional support' to India's efforts to secure a permanent seat on the UN's highest decision-making body.

Patil began her five-day visit to Cambodia Monday and was expected to discuss investment and security issues.

She said Cambodia, Laos and India shared a cultural heritage dating back centuries.

'I will assure [Cambodia and Laos] that they can count on India as a willing development partner,' she said at the start of her trip to both nations.

Patil said India wanted to boost trade and investment with Cambodia, which she described as growing but 'much below potential.'

The Indian embassy in Phnom Penh listed total trade between the two nations at 50 million dollars for 2008-09, the bulk of it Indian exports, such as pharmaceuticals, cotton and machinery.

Patil was expected to meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen, King Norodom Sihamoni and senior government officials.

Cambodia to open embassy in South Africa next year [in exchange for South Africa's vote for a seat for Cambodia at UN Security Council]

August 03, 2007

Cambodia plans to open an embassy in South Africa in 2008 to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two nations, local media reported on Friday.

The plan was born after an Aug. 1 meeting between Ouch Borith, secretary of state of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and a visiting South African delegation led by Gloria Nonzwkazi Swartbooi, member of South Africa's Portfolio Committee, said Cambodian-language newspaper the Rasmei Kampuhcea.

Nonzwkazi Swartbooi said that he welcomes the establishment of a Cambodian embassy in South Africa to improve relations and cooperation between the two countries, the paper quoted the secretary of state as saying.

During the meeting, Ouch Borith requested that South Africa support Cambodia's non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council for a 2013 to 2014 mandate following an election to be held in 2012, reiterating his claim that the kingdom wants to enhance relations with South Africa and other African countries.

Source: Xinhua